Cash for cars and scrap metal pickup

You pay owners of unwanted cars and scrap, and the recycler or dismantler pays you for the vehicle or metal. Some customers, such as tradies and landlords, may also pay you to clear junk.

You make the margin between what you pay the seller and what the recycler pays you by weight or per vehicle. You can add a fee for clearing larger jobs, and sell a few easy-to-remove parts such as batteries or catalytic converters where the rules allow.

• Pricing vehicles and metal fairly
• Safe driving and loading
• Negotiating and customer service
• Careful record keeping

• Whether your state or territory requires a licence or registration to buy scrap metal or second-hand goods or to trade in vehicles, so check with your state's licensing body
• Checking proof of ownership and recording each purchase, since stolen vehicles and metal are a real risk
• Rules on written-off vehicles and on telling the registration authority when a car is scrapped
• Public liability and motor vehicle insurance that covers carrying or towing other people's vehicles
• Leaking fluids, batteries and tyres, which you must handle and dispose of lawfully, so check with your state EPA
• Scrap prices can swing, so avoid paying too much for stock you cannot sell quickly

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on your ute or trailer, towing and loading gear, insurance and the cash you need to buy vehicles. Price your own setup before starting.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on how many vehicles and how much metal you buy and sell. Hours start at about 15 per week. Scrap prices can swing.

Check whether your state or territory requires a licence or registration to buy scrap metal, second-hand goods or vehicles. Also check proof of ownership and purchase records, written-off vehicle rules, insurance for carrying other people's vehicles, and lawful disposal of fluids, batteries and tyres with your state EPA.