We’ve all seen it. Tucked away in a corner of a backyard, sitting on the verge, or slowly sinking into the lawn, there’s an old car that has long since seen its final journey. It’s easy to walk past it every day and see it as just part of the landscape—a harmless, inanimate object that isn’t costing you anything.
But that’s where you’d be mistaken.
That junk car isn't "free" to keep. It's a silent freeloader on your property, and the rent it charges is far higher than you think. It's a cost paid not just in dollars, but in lost opportunities, environmental damage, and potential risks to your family’s safety. At Car Removal Perth, we think it's important for homeowners to know the full story. So, let’s pull back the curtain and reveal the four major hidden costs you’re paying every single day that car stays put.
Cost #1: The Financial & Opportunity Cost
This is the most tangible, yet often overlooked, cost. While you may not be paying for rego anymore, that car is still having a massive impact on your finances through the simple concept of lost opportunity.
Think about the space it occupies. A standard car takes up roughly 12 square metres. On the Perth property market, space is a premium commodity. What is that 12 square metres of your property worth to you? It’s not just dirt or concrete; it's potential. That space could be:
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A new entertaining area: Imagine a proper paved patio for your BBQ, a fire pit for winter nights, or a spot for an outdoor lounge.
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A functional workspace: The perfect spot for that new shed from Bunnings to house your tools, bikes, and mower, freeing up your garage.
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A family zone: A safe, clear patch of lawn for the kids to play on, a veggie garden, or even that spa pool you’ve been dreaming about.
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A secure parking spot: The ability to park your daily driver, your boat, or your caravan securely off the street.
Every day that junk car sits there, you are losing the lifestyle and financial value that this space could be providing. Furthermore, the car itself has a cash value right now. As it continues to battle the Perth sun and winter rains, its metal corrodes, its rubber perishes, and its valuable components degrade. By waiting, you are allowing a cashable asset to slowly decay into worthless rubbish. The smart financial move is to liquidate that asset while it still has peak scrap value.
Cost #2: The Environmental & Health Cost
This is the cost that seeps out quietly when you're not looking, posing a direct threat to your local environment and your family's health. A junk car is a ticking environmental time bomb.
Inside that vehicle is a cocktail of toxic fluids that were never designed to be left stagnant for years. This includes:
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Engine oil and transmission fluid
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Radiator coolant (ethylene glycol)
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Brake and power steering fluid
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Corrosive battery acid
Over time, the seals, gaskets, and hoses that contain these fluids will perish, allowing them to leak out. They drip onto your driveway, seep into the soil of your lawn, and can contaminate the groundwater. This is harmful to your plants, your pets, and the wider ecosystem.
Beyond the chemical hazards, a stationary car becomes a 5-star hotel for all kinds of Aussie pests. It provides perfect, undisturbed shelter from the elements. It’s a fantastic place for redback spiders to build their webs, a cool spot for snakes to hide from the summer heat, and an ideal nesting ground for rodents. By keeping a junk car, you are essentially rolling out the welcome mat for pests you don't want anywhere near your home.
Cost #3: The Social & Community Cost
No one wants to be "that house" on the street. Your home is a source of pride, but a derelict car can quickly tarnish that image and even lead to friction with those around you.
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Kerb Appeal and Property Values: A junk car instantly lowers the kerb appeal of your property. It sends a message of neglect that can affect the perceived value of not only your home but also your neighbours'.
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Neighbourly Tensions: While your neighbours might be too polite to say anything directly, an unsightly wreck can be a source of unspoken tension. It can make relationships feel strained and create a negative atmosphere in an otherwise friendly neighbourhood.
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Unwanted Council Attention: This is a big one. Most local councils in Western Australia have by-laws regarding derelict vehicles on private property, especially if they are visible from the street. A complaint from a neighbour can trigger a formal notice from the council, demanding you remove the vehicle within a specific timeframe. Your "I'll get to it eventually" problem has now become a stressful, legally-enforced deadline.
Cost #4: The Safety & Liability Cost
This is without a doubt the most serious hidden cost, as it involves the physical safety of your loved ones and your legal responsibilities as a property owner.
A junk car is a playground of hazards. For naturally curious children or pets, it’s an irresistible but dangerous place to explore. The risks are very real:
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Sharp, rusty metal edges that can cause deep cuts and lead to infections like tetanus.
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Broken or cracked glass from windows and mirrors.
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Decaying interiors that can house mould, spiders, and other pests.
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Unstable parts that could be climbed on and subsequently fall, causing injury.
As the owner of the property, you have a duty of care to ensure it is safe. If a person—be it your own child, a neighbour's child, or even a trespasser—is injured on your junk car, you could find yourself in a very serious and costly legal situation. This liability alone is a powerful reason to remove the hazard.
The Solution: Stop Paying and Start Earning
The good news is that there is a simple, immediate, and profitable solution to all these hidden costs. You can eliminate the financial drain, the environmental risks, the community friction, and the safety hazards with one easy phone call. And the best part? Instead of it costing you a cent, you get paid for it.
By calling Car Removal Perth, you turn every single one of these hidden costs into a tangible benefit. We provide an instant quote, free towing from anywhere in Perth, and on-the-spot cash for your vehicle.
Don't keep paying the price for a car that gives you nothing back.
Make the smart choice for your wallet, your property, and your family. Call Car Removal Perth today on 0412-119-053 and turn your biggest hidden cost into your easiest payday.