Cash for Junk Cars: How to Junk My Car

Marc Skirvin
Marc Skirvin

What's in this Article

As attached as we get to our vehicles, at some point or another we have to say goodbye to them. When that happens, it can be tough to know what to do with your car. 

If you’ve got a junk vehicle, one option is to sell it for cash. Getting cash for your junk car can help put money toward a downpayment on a new vehicle and get an unwanted car off your hands. 

So, for anyone ready to get cash for junk cars, this guide is for you. Let’s dive into a guide on how to junk your car for cash!

How Do I Determine if My Car is a Junker?

The first step to junking your car is to figure out if your vehicle is actually a junk car. After all, you can’t sell a junk car for cash if it’s not actually a junker!

In most cases, junk cars are vehicles that don’t run anymore or that. are damaged. These vehicles tend to cost more money in repairs than the car is actually worth. 

On top of that, many junk cars don’t meet safety requirements. Vehicles built before 1990 have to have special modifications for them to be safe to drive. 

One thing that’s important to remember when determining if your vehicle is a junk car is that not all cars are junkers. You’ll want to check how operable your car is and get it properly evaluated before deciding that it’s a junker. 

Finally, even junk cars still have value. Just because you’ll be getting rid of the vehicle does not mean that it’s totally worthless. When you junk your car, you’re getting the most possible amount of money out of your vehicle before you sell it. 

Why Should I Junk My Car?

So, now that you’ve determined that your car is a junker, you’re probably wondering why you should sell a junk car for cash. After all, wouldn’t it be easier to just get rid of it on your own?

The truth is, it can be a huge hassle trying to get rid of a car on your own. You’ll have to find someone willing to purchase the car, meet up with them, and negotiate the deal. 

On top of that, you’ll need to know what the junk car is worth to make sure you’re getting a good deal. Otherwise, you might run into scam artists who just want to take advantage of you. 

That’s not the only issue. You can also run into ethical problems when selling a junker. After all, if you know the vehicle is damaged, it’s not really right to sell your car to someone who’s planning to use it to drive in. 

Finally, many auto dealers aren’t willing to accept junk vehicles. That can make it tough to find someone trustworthy to buy your old vehicle.

How do I Junk My Car for Cash?

So, you’re ready to sell your car for cash. To sell your car, you’ll need to go through a few steps. That way, the sale will be a smooth process. Here’s what you’ll need to do to junk your car for cash.

Step One: Remove Your Belongings

When you sell your car for cash, you’ll need to make sure that you’ve removed all your personal items from the car. Check to make sure that you don’t have anything valuable in the vehicle before taking it to an auto salvager. Look under the seats, in the trunk, and the glove box. 

Step Two: Remove Valuable Modifications

If you made any upgrades or modifications to your vehicle, you’ll want to remove these from the car. For example, if you added a special radio system or TV to your car, be sure to take these out before junking it. 

Step Three: Assess Your Vehicle

It’s pretty easy for us to get attached to our vehicles. However, you’ll want to make an accurate assessment of your vehicle so that you can set expectations and make the buyer aware of problems. Look for rust, wear and tear, mileage, condition, and take note of the make and model. 

Step Four: Organize Your Paperwork

Before getting rid of your vehicle, you need to make sure you get all your paperwork straightened out. You’ll need to have your title on hand so that you can transfer ownership to the buyer. If you can’t find your car title, you can request a duplicate copy from the DMV. 

Step Five: Pay Off Any Outstanding Liens

Sometimes, you might not have paid the vehicle off entirely before you’re ready to sell it. If that’s the case, you’ll have to make sure you pay the full outstanding balance. Otherwise, the money you make from the sale of the vehicle will have to go to paying off the car. 

Step Six: Remove Your License Plates

Before you junk your car, make sure to remove your license plates. This should be one of the last steps you take as you can get in trouble if you don’t have up-to-date plates and registration for your vehicle. That’s because most states make it illegal for you to be on the road in an unregistered vehicle.

Step Seven: Cancel Your Insurance

Once you’ve junked the car, it’s time to cancel your car insurance. Make sure that you don’t cancel the car insurance before you’ve sold the car. Otherwise, you can get in trouble for having an uninsured vehicle on the road. Each state has different laws for car insurance, so make sure you’ve canceled all insurance you have on the car.

How Do I Get a Good Deal for My Junker?

You know the steps to junk your car now. However, how exactly do you get a good deal for your car? While typing “cash for junk cars near me” into Google might seem like a good idea, this isn’t. the best way to get a good deal on your car. 

To start, you’ll want to speak with a dealer. A local dealer can give you a better idea of what your vehicle is worth. They’ll be able to help set your expectations for what you’ll get for your junk vehicle. 

After you have an understanding of what your junk car is worth, you’ll want to look around for an auto salvage. A few factors to look out for when finding cash for junk cars companies include: 

  • The price you’ll get for your vehicle
  • The dealer’s reputation
  • The licenses and certifications of the dealer
  • The reliability of the dealer
  • Whether towing fees are included or not

Being on the lookout for these factors helps make sure you’re getting the most money possible for your junk car. After all, you want to make sure you’re avoiding scams!

How Do I Find a Reputable Buyer?

So, you’re ready to take the plunge and junk your vehicle! The next step is finding a dealer that you can trust to help you through the process of junking your car for cash.

The first step to doing this is to make a list. Look at the different local dealers that will help you with junk car removal. Compare their costs, reviews, and amenities. 

From there, you’ll want to call and get a few quotes. Get an understanding of how much each dealer will offer you for your junk car. 

Once you’ve verified that the dealer is a reputable operation, you’re able to go ahead and confirm your quote. Most dealers will make you a no-obligation offer so that you can compare and contrast quotes before making a final decision. 

Next, your dealer will send you the appropriate paperwork. You’ll need to carefully review it to make sure that your offer includes everything you’ve agreed on with the dealer. 

As long as the deal looks good, you can go ahead and sign the dotted line. This will seal the deal. From there, all you need to do is take the car to your dealer and get your cash!  

Get Cash for Junk Cars Easily

With this guide, you know how to get cash for junk cars. And, as you can see, it’s actually quite a simple and straightforward process. 

Are you ready to sell your junker and get good money for it? Great! The team at Cash Auto Salvage can help. 

Give us a call and we’ll get you a great cash offer. It’s time to rid yourself of that unwanted vehicle and get money towards a downpayment on a new car!

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About the Author

Marc
Marc

Marc is the Co-Founder of Cash Auto Salvage and Director of daily operations. He retired from a leading Internet Marketing company in 2013 and has been involved in the automotive industry ever since.

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