Where Is the Best Auto Junk Yards near Me? 10 Tips on How to Find the Right One

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Marc Skirvin

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There were 272.48 million registered vehicles in the U.S. in 2017.

During the same year, reports show that each U.S. household owned an average of 1.97 vehicles!

Impressive, right?

But the bigger question is, do these households get the most out of each vehicle they own?

If you’ve answered no, it may be a good time to start looking for a buyer. Before you google “auto junk yards near me” though, you’d want to make sure that they buy all types of cars and not only junk. This way, you can ensure that you won’t get lowballed, especially if you have a car that’s in working condition.

How can you find the best local junk yards or car buying businesses that’ll offer a fair price for your ride?

That’s what we’ll share in this list of tips, so keep reading to find out more! 

1. Do a Quick Google Search for “Reviews of Auto Junk Yards Near Me”

You want the nearest car junkyard or used car buying shop, but you also want to work with a reputable business. Consumer reviews are a good source of insight as to how reliable an auto salvage yard is. These customer reviews, particularly complaints, can also act as a red flag.

Pay attention to reviews that talk about timely car pick up and fair pricing. You may even find some reviews from repeat customers! Repeat customers are a solid sign of a junk yard’s or a car buying shop’s legitimacy and quality services.

2. Make Your Search Easier by Using a Nationwide Junk or Used Car Buying Company

nationwide car buying company has a huge network of car junkyards and used car buyers all over the US. It’s likely that they work with and operate auto salvage yards near your area.

If you need to sell your car fast, consider working with such a company. This way, you don’t have to search on your own — the company will search for you. They’ll figure out which car buyer is closest to your location and connect you to these shops. 

3. Verify That the Yard Buys All Types of Vehicles

Not all salvage yards accept junk cars, since they may not be able to salvage anything from a clunker. At the same time, not all these yards also buy used cars that are still in working condition. 

That’s why it’s best to confirm if you have a junk or salvage car first. The latter usually rakes in more cash since the salvage yard can find more usable parts to sell in it. If your car is still in good value, be sure that the yard or car buying shop will give you a fair market price.

To make it easier, look for yards that accept all kinds of cars, junk or not. The best ones accept everything, regardless of the make, model, year, or condition of the car. They also offer cash for junk parts, so be sure to tell them if you have a few you want to sell too.

4. Choose a Local Buyer Offering Free Towing or Pick Up Services

In the U.S., towing services can cost anywhere from $50 to $300. That’s an extra expense you won’t have to worry about if you choose the right junkyard.

Reliable auto junkyards near you will pick up or tow your vehicle for free. They understand that you might need all the cash you can get from your car, so they won’t add to your costs.

5. Check that the Cash for Cars Company Can Buy Your Car ASAP

If you need cash ASAP, you’d want to work with a junk or salvage yard that will buy your car in cash in the next 24 hours. In most cases, reliable yards can get you those funds within that time frame.

6. …Or That It Can Meet Your Preferred Schedule

Junk yard operators are busy folks, seeing as they scrap about 10 to 15 million vehicles every year. As busy as the best yards are, however, they can still set up a specific date and time to meet your needs.

7. Make Sure You Work Only with a Buyer Offering a Fair Quote

Reputable auto junk and salvage yards will ask you for details about your ride to find out how much to offer for it. The basics include the year, make, model, trim, and mileage you have in the car.

They will also ask for other details on vehicle condition, such as info on wheels and tires. The type of title you have and if you have it on hand will also go into calculating your quote. You also need to provide your zip code, which they’d use to check how far you are from their facility.

If you think that the offer is too low, feel free to speak your mind. If they can’t justify their quote, take that as a red flag and move on to your next prospect.

8. … And That the Yard Offers a Non-Obligatory Quotation

Speaking of quotes, only legit and reliable yards will give you a non-obligatory offer. Meaning, it’s completely up to you to accept or not. If you choose not to, they won’t ask you to pay for anything.

9. Verify the Legitimacy of the Car Buying Company by Asking about Permits

Aside from a business license, ask the yard if they have an industrial stormwater permit. It’s a legal requirement for salvage yards that dismantle vehicles and sell parts. If they have this, that’s proof that you’re dealing with a legitimate business.

10. … And by Ensuring They Ask You for Proper Vehicle Documentation

Some states require junk and salvage yards to ask vehicle owners for the title. In other states, a copy of the registration and proof of identification will suffice. Either way, a legitimate yard must confirm vehicle ownership first before buying it.

If you encounter a junkyard or salvage yard that doesn’t ask for any of these documents, take that as a red flag. It’s possible that they aren’t a registered or licensed business or that their being a “yard” is only a front. They may be car buying scammers that you should avoid at all costs.

Sell Your Junker to the Right Buyer Now

There you have it, the ultimate guide to finding the best answers to your searches for “auto junk yards near me”! So long as you follow these tips, you can locate a reputable buyer who’ll pick up your ride for free. Best of all, you’ll get cold, hard cash for that hunk of junk while also doing the environment some good.

Ready to get in touch with reliable auto salvage and junkyards closest to your area? If so, then fill out this short form now so you can get an instant cash offer for your car, junk or not! checkArticle ApprovedHow Can I Junk My Car for Cash? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

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About the Author

Picture of 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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