November is when a lot of Pickering driveways get a decision made for them. The winter tires come out of the garage, someone looks at the old car they’re meant to go on, and the question becomes whether it’s worth putting them on at all. If you’ve decided to sell that car instead, the next question is what to do with the tires, the spare rims, the roof rack and everything else that’s built up around it. This guide covers what usually makes sense to keep and what to leave with the car when you get cash for cars in Pickering.
Canadian Auto Wreckers is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and has been buying scrap, junk and unwanted vehicles since 1981, across Toronto and east through Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and the rest of Durham. For a cash price, call 416-559-3683 or fill in our online quote form.
CAW Team, Canadian Auto Wreckers
Key takeaways
- A spare set of tires on their own rims is often more useful to you, or to your next car, than to the scrap car. Check the size first.
- Leave the wheels and tires that are on the car on it, so it can be towed normally. Ask us before pulling any off.
- Take out anything personal or transferable: a dash cam, a phone mount, garage door openers, toll and parking passes.
- Whatever you decide, tell us when you ask for a quote so the price and the pickup match the car.
- Cars submitted through our website form get a cash price, free towing on an accepted sale, pickup as soon as the next day before noon when paperwork and access are ready, and a bill of sale at pickup.
For service details in the area, see our cash for cars Pickering page.
A situation we often see
An older car has been the second vehicle for years. It still has a set of winter tires on steel rims sitting in the garage, maybe a roof rack in the basement and a trunk full of booster cables, a snow brush and an old car seat. The owner wants the car gone before the snow, but isn’t sure whether the extras add anything to the price or whether they’d be giving away something useful. Sorting it out takes about twenty minutes once you know what to look for.
Keep it or leave it: a quick comparison
| Item | Usually keep it if | Fine to leave it if |
|---|---|---|
| Spare winter tires on rims (in the garage) | They fit your other or next car, or you can sell them yourself | They’re worn out or only fit this car and you’d rather not store them; mention them when you call |
| Wheels and tires mounted on the car | Only after checking with us, because the car still has to be towed | In most cases; leave them on |
| Roof rack, bike rack or cargo box | It fits your next vehicle or has resale value on its own | It’s bolted on, rusted in place or built for this model only |
| Aftermarket stereo, dash cam, remote starter fob | You can remove it cleanly and reuse it | Removing it means cutting wires or damaging the dash |
| Child car seat | Always take it out of the car | Not applicable |
| Floor mats, snow brush, booster cables | They’re in good shape and you’ll use them | They’re worn; they won’t change the quote either way |
| Licence plates | Always. In Ontario the plates stay with you, not the car | Never |
Why it matters for the quote
We don’t publish prices, because every offer depends on the actual car. What we can say is that a quote is based on what the car is when the driver arrives. If the car had alloy rims when you described it and it’s sitting on old steelies on pickup day, or a part was pulled that you didn’t mention, the offer can change. Telling us what’s staying and what’s going keeps the quote and the pickup in line. Our guide on what to remove before scrapping a car covers personal items and paperwork in more detail.
Before-pickup checklist
- ☐ Spare tire set checked for size, and kept or mentioned in your quote request
- ☐ Wheels left on the car (or removal agreed with us first)
- ☐ Glovebox, trunk, door pockets and under the seats emptied
- ☐ Garage door opener, toll transponder and parking passes removed
- ☐ Dash cam, phone mount and car seat taken out
- ☐ Plates removed or ready to remove at pickup
- ☐ Ownership in your name, ready for the bill of sale
- ☐ Car reachable: driveway or spot clear of snow if possible
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep my winter tires when I sell my car for cash in Pickering?
Yes. A spare set in your garage is yours to keep. Leave the wheels that are mounted on the car in place so it can be towed, unless you’ve arranged something different with us.
Do extra tires or a roof rack raise the offer?
Not necessarily. Many extras are worth more to you or to a private buyer than they are to the scrap value of the car. Mention them when you ask for a quote and we’ll tell you.
Do I need to clean the car before pickup?
No. Just remove personal items, passes and anything you want to keep.
Which areas do you serve?
We serve Toronto and Scarborough, plus Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Clarington, Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes.
Ready to sell before the snow?
Whether the car is in Pickering, Ajax or anywhere in Toronto and the east GTA, call 416-559-3683 (Monday to Saturday 9 AM to 7 PM, Sunday 9 AM to 5 PM) or use our online quote form. You can also visit our cash for cars Pickering page.