Recent2008 Saturn Aura · Grand Rapids, MI · $470

Sell your junk car in Detroit, MI

Free pickup across Detroit and the rest of the metro. Instant offer in about 90 seconds. Cash or check on the spot.

Free tow anywhere in greater Detroit
Running or not — with or without a title
Cash or check at pickup. No haggling.

1-855-922-3095Talk to a local Detroit buyer.

Get your instant offer

~90 sec

Year, make, ZIP — that’s all we need to start.

Or call 1-855-922-3095

$400

Average payout (nationwide, all-time)

$1,090

Top 10% payout

42,000+

Cars purchased to date

Cash for junk cars in Detroit. Motor City built the auto industry — we know exactly what your old one's worth.

Detroit invented the modern auto industry, which means we operate in a market with the deepest parts and salvage economy in the country. Salt-belt winters, working-class fleet, and strong regional demand for old American iron all factor into pricing. Free pickup across Wayne County and the surrounding metro.

Detroit coverage

We come to you19+ Detroit neighborhoods, free tow.

We pick up across Detroit and the surrounding metro — Dearborn, Royal Oak, Ferndale, Hamtramck. Most pickups same-day or next-day.

Downtown

Midtown

Corktown

Eastern Market

Mexicantown

Greektown

Rivertown

New Center

Boston-Edison

Indian Village

West Village

Lafayette Park

Brush Park

Hamtramck

Highland Park

Dearborn-adjacent

Grosse Pointe

Northville

Belle Isle

Plus surrounding metro

Dearborn·Royal Oak·Ferndale·Hamtramck·Warren·Sterling Heights·Livonia·Grosse Pointe·Southfield·Troy·Pontiac

How it works

Sell your junk car in Detroit in 3 steps

Same process whether you're selling a Civic in Hyde Park or a flooded F-150 — fast, free pickup, paid at the gate.

Tell us about your car

Year, make, model, ZIP. Takes about 90 seconds on your phone.

Get your instant offer

A firm number, not a guess. What you see in the offer is what we pay at pickup.

Free pickup in Detroit

Pick a time. Our partner tows for free. Cash or check at pickup.

Detroit pricing

Recent Detroit-area payouts

Representative offers across Wayne County and the surrounding metro, calibrated to our ledger medians. Detroit pays above national medians on legacy domestic vehicles thanks to deep parts demand; salt-belt rust drops body value modestly.

Vehicle	Condition	Area	Paid
2008 Ford F-150	Frame rust, runs	Dearborn	$1,520
2010 Chevy Silverado	Bad transmission	Warren	$1,380
2007 Honda Civic	Won't start, salt rot	Hamtramck	$485
2009 Dodge Caravan	Runs, 215k mi	Eastpointe	$745
2012 Chevy Impala	Engine knock	Detroit	$680
2011 Ford Taurus	Runs and drives	Royal Oak	$985
2014 Ford Escape	Cat cut, runs	Sterling Heights	$840
2006 Cadillac Escalade	Won't shift, runs	Southfield	$1,420

Local wear & tear

Why Detroit cars age out faster

We've bought thousands of cars across Detroit — here's the local pattern we see year after year.

Salt-belt winters

Michigan winters bring some of the heaviest road salt in the country. By year 8 most Detroit cars have visible undercarriage rust; by year 12 frame rails are structurally compromised. Brake-line replacement is the most common drivetrain repair.

Cold-start stress

Single-digit and below-zero temperatures stress batteries, oil systems, and rubber components. Cracked engine blocks from improper coolant and dead alternators are routine in February pickups.

Pothole damage

Detroit roads are notorious. Freeze-thaw destroys pavement; bent rims, blown tires, alignment damage accumulate. Suspension repairs on a 12-year-old Detroit car often exceed market value.

Working-fleet mileage

Detroit's working-class fleet routinely hits 200k+ miles before retirement. We don't penalize for high mileage if the engine runs. Strong regional demand for working older domestics keeps offers above national averages.

Auto-industry workforce churn

Big Three plus suppliers rotate workers and contractors. Cars sell against hiring cycles and layoffs. Our pickup queue includes a steady supply of well-maintained domestics from auto-industry workers.

Catalytic converter theft

Detroit saw a notable cat-theft wave 2021-2023. Cars at pickup with cut cats: still buyable, with the offer reflecting the missing converter.

The deepest parts and salvage market in the country

Detroit has the most active aftermarket parts and salvage economy of any U.S. metro. The Big Three legacy plus the broader Michigan auto-supply chain means demand for working older American cars stays high — even cars in rough cosmetic shape pay above national medians here as long as the drivetrain is intact. F-150s, Silverados, Impalas, Tauruses, even older minivans like Caravans and Town & Countrys have meaningful local-market demand.

Practically, that means our Detroit pricing on legacy domestic vehicles runs above the national average. A 2008 Silverado in working condition pays better in Detroit than the same vehicle in Atlanta or Phoenix because regional parts demand soaks up local supply.

Salt-belt brutal, working-class fleet

MDOT and Wayne County salt heavily through Michigan winters. By year 8 most Detroit cars have visible undercarriage rust; by year 12 frame rails and rocker panels are structurally compromised. The body deteriorates faster than the drivetrain — engines and transmissions don't care about rust, but rocker panels, brake lines, and exhaust components corrode steadily. Our pricing reflects this with a small body discount; drivetrain side stays normal.

The Detroit fleet skews working-class and truck-heavy. Cars routinely hit 200k+ miles before retirement. We don't penalize for high mileage if the engine still runs. Working high-mile pickups, vans, and SUVs from longtime Detroit residents pay well thanks to regional demand.

Common situations

Common Detroit sell-your-car situations

The scenarios we run into most often across Detroit. If your situation isn't here, it's almost certainly something we've seen — submit an offer and tell us what's going on.

Scenario

Frame-rotted but the engine still runs

Common at year 12+ in Detroit. Frame rust drops body-value but not drivetrain. F-150s and Silverados with rotted frames but working engines pay $700-$1,500 depending on condition. We don't refuse cars over rust.

Scenario

Cracked block from a single-digit February

Detroit winters can finish a coolant-neglected engine in one cold snap. We buy as a non-runner; transmission, body, and cat usually still have value.

Scenario

200k+ Silverado from a longtime Detroit owner

Bread-and-butter Detroit pickup. Working high-mile Big Three trucks pay well thanks to regional demand. We don't penalize for high mileage.

Scenario

Auto-industry layoff sale

Big Three and supplier layoff cycles generate quick-sale pickups. We move fast and pay fair offers. Bring title and we'll handle the MI Secretary of State paperwork.

Scenario

Cat got stolen overnight

We still buy. The offer reflects the missing converter.

Detroit rules

Title and paperwork in Michigan

Most states require the title signed at sale. If you've lost yours, your DMV will issue a replacement (typically $5-$50, 1-2 weeks). For non-running vehicles, the buyer often needs to coordinate the title transfer separately from pickup. Tell us your situation up front and we'll walk you through it.

4.9 / 5

Trusted by sellers

Verified Google reviews. Sample below — see all 405+ reviews.

“Did an online quote, after being quoted and accepted the offer, a representative called me to set up a date and time (which was for 2 days later). The...”

— Brooke Truitt

“Transaction was super easy. Received detailed directions about the process. Was kept abreast of when driver would arrive. Driver was courteous - Checked vin number. Exchanged car title and keys and in return gave me check.”

— Elizabeth Sonneborn

Detroit FAQ

Common questions, Detroit edition

The short answers. Tap any to see the rest.

Do you buy junk cars that don't run in Detroit?

Yes — most of the cars we buy in Detroitdon’t run. Engine seized, transmission gone, electrical issues, no battery — none of it’s a problem. We tow free either way. More on selling a non-running car →

Is pickup really free in Detroit?

Yes. Free pickup across Detroit and surrounding areas including Dearborn, Royal Oak, Ferndale. Same-day or next-day in most ZIP codes. The number you see in the offer is what you get paid — no hidden tow fee.

How do I get paid?

Cash or check at pickup, your choice. Most sellers prefer the check — easier to deposit, paper trail. Either way, you get paid before the car leaves.

How do you decide what my car is worth?

Year, make, model, condition, and what comparable vehicles in your region have sold for over the last few months. We pull from 42,000+ historical purchases plus current scrap-metal prices. The offer you see is the number we’ll pay at pickup — no bait-and-switch. More on what your junk car is worth →

Are you open on Sundays in Detroit?

You can get an offer online any time, including Sundays. Phone support runs seven days a week, with same-day pickup options when our partner’s available.

How much do older domestic trucks pay in Detroit?

F-150s, Silverados, Rams in working condition pay $1,200-$2,400 in Detroit — above national medians thanks to deep regional parts demand. Even high-mileage examples (200k+) pay well if the engine runs.

Do you buy cars with severe frame rust?

Yes — frame rust is normal on 12+ year-old Detroit cars. The offer reflects body condition; if engine and transmission are intact, the car still pays. We don't refuse cars over rust.

Do I need a notary for the MI title transfer?

Yes — Michigan requires the title signed at sale notarized. We coordinate the notary at pickup if needed. Cost is small ($5-$10) and we sometimes cover it.

How fast is pickup in Detroit?

Most Detroit and inner-ring suburb ZIPs get same-day or next-day pickup. Royal Oak, Ferndale, Warren, Sterling Heights: typically 24 hours. Far metro (Pontiac, Macomb, Northville) usually 24-48.

Will you buy from auto-industry layoff sales?

Yes — Big Three layoff cycles generate quick-turnaround pickups. We move fast and pay fair offers.

Is winter pickup OK?

Yes — we pick up year-round. Heavy snow days might delay scheduling 24 hours. We'd rather coordinate before the car is buried than after.

Other Michigan cities we serve

See all of Michigan

Serving Detroit, MI

Ready to sell your junk car in Detroit?

Instant offer in under two minutes. Free pickup. Cash or check at pickup.

Get my instant offer 1-855-922-3095