Congratulations, mate! You’ve made the smart decision to turn that old, unwanted car into a nice bundle of instant cash. You’ve given Car Removal Perth a call, your quote is locked in, and our tow truck is scheduled to come and take that driveway ornament away for good. You’re just a few moments away from a clear space and cash in your hand.
To make the handover process super smooth, quick, and to ensure you don’t accidentally say goodbye to anything important, there’s one quick final step: giving your car a proper clean-out.
This isn’t just about tossing out old Maccas wrappers and empty water bottles. It’s a crucial step to protect your personal information, keep your valuable items, and make the whole pickup process seamless for both you and our driver. Think of it as one last treasure hunt before you cash in.
Here’s our official checklist from the team at Car Removal Perth on what NOT to leave in your car before we arrive.
Category #1: The Important Stuff: Official Docs & Personal IDs
This is without a doubt the most important category. Once your car is on the back of our truck, it’s on a one-way trip to be recycled. Trying to retrieve a small piece of paper from it afterwards is next to impossible. These documents are legally tied to you, not the vehicle.
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Proof of Ownership / Rego Papers: You’ll need to have your registration papers handy to show our driver as proof that you own the vehicle. Once the transaction is complete, keep these papers with you. Don’t leave them in the glove box.
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Service Logbook and Manuals: Your car’s service history can be useful for your own records. It’s best to keep it.
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Personal Identity Documents: This is a big one for protecting yourself from identity theft. Do a thorough sweep for any driver's licences, Medicare cards, credit cards, or any other personal ID that might have slipped out of your wallet and into the centre console or down the side of the seat.
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Old Insurance Policies & Repair Receipts: While you likely won’t need them again, it’s good practice to keep these with your personal records rather than sending them off with the car.
Category #2: Your Personal Bits & Bobs
A car becomes a second home over the years, accumulating all sorts of personal and sentimental items. These things have zero cash value to us, but they might mean the world to you.
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Sunnies, Hats, and Clothing: The most commonly forgotten items! Check the sun visors, the glove box, and under the seats for your favourite pair of sunglasses or that jacket you thought you’d lost months ago.
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Music & Media: In the age of streaming, many of us still have a collection of classic CDs in a visor holder or a favourite USB stick full of road trip tunes plugged into the stereo. Make sure you grab them.
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Good Luck Charms & Sentimental Items: Whether it’s a photo tucked into the dashboard, the kids' drawings, or a small item hanging from the rearview mirror, these things are part of your car’s story, and they belong with you.
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Kids' Gear: If it was a family car, do a deep search for forgotten toys, books, and sports gear. Don’t forget to properly uninstall any child seats or booster seats, as you’ll likely need them for your next vehicle.
Category #3: Cash, Cards & Electronics
This seems obvious, but you would be absolutely amazed at what we find! It’s crucial to remember that our service is for the removal of the vehicle itself, and Car Removal Perth cannot be responsible for any personal valuables left inside.
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Cash and Coins: Do a final sweep for any "shrapnel." Check the ashtray, the centre console, door pockets, and that little indented spot near the gear stick. It all adds up!
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Your E-Tag: This is critical! Before we arrive, make sure you remove your electronic toll tag from the windscreen. If you don't, you could end up paying for someone else's trip down the freeway long after your car is gone.
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Phone Chargers, Cables & Dash Cams: These are your property. Unplug everything and take it with you. A good quality dash cam can be easily installed in your next car.
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House Keys & Garage Remotes: Check that a spare house key isn't still on the car's keyring or that the garage remote isn't still clipped to the sun visor.
Category #4: Gear You'll Want for Your Next Ride
You've likely spent good money on accessories to make your car more comfortable or practical. Don't let that money go to the scrap yard! Many of these items can be used in your next car, saving you from having to buy them all over again.
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Custom Seat Covers: If you have high-quality, custom-fit seat covers (like canvas or sheepskin), take them off.
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Premium Floor Mats: Good quality rubber or carpet mats can often be adapted for your next vehicle.
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Aftermarket Stereo or Head Unit: If you’ve installed a fancy stereo with Bluetooth or a touchscreen and it can be easily removed without damaging the dash, it's well worth taking.
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Roof Racks & Tow Balls: These are valuable accessories. If they are bolt-on and not a permanent fixture, consider removing them.
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Any Tools You Purchased: While the standard jack and tyre iron should stay with the car, if you have a separate, better quality tool kit, puncture repair kit, or portable air compressor, make sure you keep it.
Pro-Tip: A Guide to the Most Forgotten Hiding Spots
Ready for one last sweep? Based on our experience, these are the most common places people forget to check.
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The Glove Compartment: Go beyond the main section; check the pocket for the logbook.
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The Centre Console Box: Lift the tray and check the deep compartment underneath.
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Door Pockets: All of them, front and back.
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Seat-back Pockets: The perfect spot for forgotten books, maps, or kids' toys.
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Under the Front Seats: A treasure trove for lost coins, pens, and sunglasses.
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The Boot: This is a big one. Lift up the floor carpet and check in and around the spare tyre well.
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The Sun Visors: Check both the clips and any built-in pockets or mirrors.
The Big Question: What About the Number Plates?
This is a really important step for people in Western Australia. To finalise the cancellation of your car's registration (rego) and to get a refund on any remaining rego you've paid for, you must return your number plates to a Department of Transport (DoT) licensing centre.
Don't worry, Car Removal Perth makes this easy for you. Our driver can remove the plates from the car for you when they arrive. We will give you a receipt for the vehicle body, which you will need for the DoT. You can then simply take the plates and the receipt to your nearest DoT centre to settle everything. This protects you completely and ensures the car is officially off your hands.
All Clear? You're Ready for Your Cash!
And that’s it! Taking 10-15 minutes to go through this checklist ensures you have everything you need, and nothing you don't. A clean car means a quick, simple handover for our driver, which means you get your cash faster.
We appreciate you taking the time to get your car ready for its final journey. It makes the whole process smoother for everyone.
If you're reading this guide and you're still looking at that clunker in your driveway, now you know how simple the final step is. The first step is even easier. Give Car Removal Perth a call for an instant, no-obligation quote and find out how you can turn that old car into cash today!
We look forward to seeing you at your pickup and handing you your cash! Call Us Today! 0412-119-053