Download Article
Get paid within a few days for your junk car
Download Article
If you have an old or undrivable vehicle taking up space, scrapping your car is a great way to earn some extra spending money. Whether your vehicle is broken down or totaled, you’ll still be able to get some cash for its value in scrap metal. Before you jump on the first offer you see for your vehicle, follow our advice to make sure you get the most money possible. Keep reading, and we’ll walk you through how to scrap a car and where to find the best offers for your vehicle.
Things You Should Know
- Take personal belongings and removable parts out of your vehicle. Sell parts, like the battery, tires, and audio system to make more money than you would from scrapping them.
- Get quotes from local junkyards or websites that buy cars to see how much your vehicle is worth. You’ll usually get between $300–500 USD for scrapping a car.
- Schedule a pickup or dropoff for your vehicle, and sign over the car title. Cancel your insurance and registration once you finalize the sale.
Steps
Section 1 of 6:
Scrapping Your Vehicle
Download Article
-
Sell car parts separately for extra cash. Some components in your vehicle are more valuable when you resell them as opposed to scrapping them. Even though removing parts may reduce the overall scrap value of your vehicle, there’s potential to earn more for the individual pieces. Take out any aftermarket parts that you had installed and list them on sites like eBay or Facebook Marketplace to see if there are any potential buyers. Some potential valuable parts in your vehicle are: [1] X Research source
- Car battery
- Tires and rims
- Alternator
- Radiator
- Audio or GPS systems
- Catalytic converter (if they’re legal to sell in your area)
-
Remove all your belongings from your vehicle. Go through your vehicle and look for anything that you want to keep. Empty out the center console and glove compartment, and check under and in between the seats for any personal items that got stuck. [2] X Research source
- If your vehicle is really dirty or muddy, you may get a lower scrap price for it. Clean your car so you get the best value.
- Remove your license plates as well if you don’t plan on driving your vehicle anymore.
Advertisement -
Compare offers from scrapyards and car-buying websites. Contact the local scrap yards in your area and tell them the year, make, and model of the vehicle you want to scrap. Alternatively, search “junk car buyers” and the name of your city on Google to find websites that will buy your car for scrap metal. You may need to upload information and images about your vehicle before getting an estimate. Choose the service that gives you the best offer to earn the most money from your vehicle. [3] X Research source
- Scrapyards may ask for pictures of your vehicle to assess any damage to your vehicle. Either text or email pictures of your car so you’re able to get an accurate estimate.
- Be sure to ask about any processing fees you’d have to pay to ensure you’re getting the best deal for your vehicle.
-
Schedule a pickup or dropoff for your vehicle. If you’re able to drive your vehicle, take it right to the scrapyard to drop it off in person. If you accepted an offer from a website or if your vehicle doesn’t work anymore, then they’ll set up a time to pick up the vehicle from your location with a tow truck. When you drop your vehicle off or have it towed, you’ll be paid for your vehicle right after you sign off on the sale and give them the title. [4] X Research source
- Junkyards may try to lower the price of your vehicle if they notice more damage than you claimed.
-
Gather your vehicle title and ownership documents. Because you need to prove that you own the vehicle you’re getting rid of, look through your documents to find the title. You may also need a bill of sale, junk title application, or title transfer application, but ask the junkyard or web service directly to see what paperwork they require. [5] X Research source
- The paperwork you need may also depend on your state laws. Contact your local DMV to find out what papers or forms are required to sell or scrap a vehicle in your area.
- If you can’t find your vehicle’s title, then get a replacement before scrapping your vehicle.
- If you still have liens or loans out on your vehicle, then you will have to settle the remaining balance and get a lien release form before scrapping your vehicle. [6] X Research source
-
Remember to cancel your registration and insurance. Because you don’t have your vehicle anymore, contact your state’s DMV to find out the process for canceling your vehicle’s registration. Then, contact your insurance provider to cancel your automotive policy so you don’t have to pay for it anymore.
- Some states will refund a portion of your vehicle’s registration payment when you cancel it.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Tips
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
References
- ↑ https://fairsalvage.com/important-things-to-remove-before-junking-your-car/
- ↑ https://www.ace-autoparts.com/About/Blog/entryid/80/steps-to-take-prior-to-selling-your-car-to-a-junkyard
- ↑ https://www.capitalone.com/cars/learn/getting-a-good-deal/how-to-sell-a-car-to-a-junkyard/1514
- ↑ https://www.capitalone.com/cars/learn/getting-a-good-deal/how-to-sell-a-car-to-a-junkyard/1514
- ↑ https://www.junkcarmedics.com/blog/sell-junk-car-to-junkyard/
- ↑ https://www.chase.com/personal/auto/education/financing/lien-release
- ↑ https://www.junkcarmedics.com/blog/sell-junk-car-to-junkyard/
- ↑ https://carbrain.com/blog/what-are-scrap-prices-going-to-do-in-2022
- ↑ https://www.jdpower.com/cars/shopping-guides/how-can-i-scrap-a-car-without-a-title
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 4,272 times.
Advertisement
