Junk Your Car At A Local Salvage Yard — Get FREE Pickup And Transfer

Having a junk car sitting in your driveway can be frustrating. Damaged cars can be unsightly and even if your car can still get you around, its condition may be putting you and other drivers at risk. You need to sell your car fast so you can put money toward a new one.

If you’re accustomed to taking your cars to a dealership or finding a private buyer, you may be wondering what to do next. The answer? You should sell your car to a salvage yard in your area.

Did you know there’s actually an entire industry devoted to the next step for cars just like yours? The automotive recycling industry employs hundreds of thousands of professionals whose job it is to safely break down junk cars.

Professionals in the auto recycling industry understand that cars that can’t drive anymore still have a lot of life left in them. This expertise means that a reputable junk yard is the best place to get the best value for your car, regardless of its condition.

Step 1. Before You Sell

The good news about selling to a junkyard is that it involves way less preparation than selling a working car privately does. No matter how you sell, remember to remove any personal effects from the car.

You won’t have to worry about making minor mechanical or cosmetic repairs to raise the sale value of your car or get it detailed. That said, a quick cleanup to make any photos you take more appealing isn’t a bad idea!

Even though you won’t be making a listing, taking photos of your car is an important first step because they may be helpful in getting you an accurate quote. While you take your pictures, write down your car’s VIN or Vehicle Identification Number. You can see it looking through the driver’s side of your windshield, it’s 17 digits long and unique to your car alone.

The only other preparation you’ll need to do is gather your documentation. Your most important document (and technically the only essential one) will be your title. Transferring your title when you sell to a junkyard is crucial, as it will save you from any future legal or financial liability for the vehicle.

If you can’t find your title, don’t worry. Contact your local DMV about the application process to get a new one. Requirements vary by state but generally you won’t need more than your license, registration, VIN, plate numbers, and title number.

Your title number is eight digits long and can be found on your registration. You should get your new title in a week or two.

When calling around for quotes, you’ll likely be asked some simple questions about your car. To get a more accurate quote, some buyers may ask more detailed questions about your car’s mechanical history or damage. That’s why getting together any recent mechanic’s reports or repair history ahead of time is a good idea.

Step 2. Finding a Quote

Once you’ve taken your photos and gotten your title, you’ll be ready to shop for quotes. If you’d like, you can look ahead of time on auction websites to see what cars of the same make and model with similar damage sell for to get an idea of how much you may be able to sell your car for.

When calling for quotes, there’s a few things you should keep in mind. Not all junkyards have your best interest at heart. There should be general business practices you look for to identify a reputable scrapyard.

First and foremost, you should always be able to get your quote over the phone and towing should always be included. Never work with a junkyard that offers to buy your car without transferring your title, or who says they’ll do so at a time later than the sale.

Avoid junkyards that offer deferred or alternative payments, such as only sending checks through the mail or offering vacation vouchers in exchange for your vehicle.

If possible, seek a guarantee of your quote. One of the oldest scrapyard scams is the “bait and switch” where you’re quoted a higher price up front and given a lower amount when you bring your car in. Never allow anyone to tell you your car has no value, and never bring your car in for an in-person inspection prior to receiving a quote.

You can avoid the trouble of calling every junkyard in town by using JunkCarMasters.com! JunkCarMasters only works with trusted salvage yards in your area, so you can rest easy knowing you’re safe from scams.

Once you upload your pictures and VIN, you’ll have a guaranteed quote in just 90 seconds! And, it’s good for seven days.

Step 3. Sell Your Clunker!

Once you’ve gotten your quote, you’ll just need to accept and schedule your free pickup! One of our drivers can come to you within 24-48 hours.

Just hand over your keys, sign over your title, and accept your payment. It’s as easy as that! Skip the hassle of calling for quotes and sell your car with JunkCarMasters now.