Cash for Junk Cars in California | Free Towing Statewide
1-800-We-Junk-Cars buys junk cars across California — Fresno, Bakersfield, Sacramento, the Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, and everywhere in between. We pay $150 to $800 depending on the vehicle, tow for free, and pick up same-day or next-day across most of the state. Running or not, any make, any model — call and get a cash offer in minutes.
How Selling Your Junk Car Works in California
Get Your Quote
Call 1-800-935-8652 or submit online. Tell us the year, make, model, and condition. You get a firm offer in minutes. California’s large salvage market means competitive prices — Japanese and domestic makes both fetch strong offers statewide.
Schedule Free Pickup
We send a tow truck to your location at no charge. Same-day or next-day pickup available in Fresno, Bakersfield, and throughout the Central Valley. Bay Area, LA, San Diego, and Sacramento also get fast service — typically within 24 hours.
Get Paid Cash
Sign over the title when the truck arrives and get paid on the spot. Cash in hand before the vehicle leaves. California law also requires you to file a Notice of Transfer with the DMV within 5 days — we remind you of this at pickup.
What Is Your California Junk Car Worth?
California’s junk car market is one of the most active in the country. The state’s large population, high vehicle density, and robust salvage industry create strong demand for parts — which often pushes offers above the national average. A typical sedan in poor condition brings $175 to $350. Trucks and SUVs, especially full-size pickups common in inland California, pay $400 to $800. California’s mild climate means less rust damage than Midwest or Northeast vehicles, making parts more valuable to salvage buyers.
Scrap steel prices set the floor on every junk car offer. The live tracker below pulls current Federal Reserve commodity data so you can see exactly where prices stand today. Higher steel prices mean higher floor offers for your California vehicle.
California Junk Car Laws and Title Requirements
Title Transfer at the California DMV
California vehicle titles are managed by the Department of Motor Vehicles. To sell a junk car, the seller signs the back of the title in the designated transfer section, enters the odometer reading (required for vehicles under 10 years old), and includes the sale price. The buyer then submits the signed title to any DMV office to complete the transfer. California has over 170 DMV offices statewide.
Title Required for All California Vehicles
California requires a title for all vehicles regardless of age. There is no year threshold that allows a bill of sale to substitute. If your title is lost, you need a duplicate before the sale. The good news is California makes this straightforward — form REG 227, a $22 fee, and your ID. In-person processing at most DMV offices is same-day.
Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability
California law requires sellers to submit a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (NRL) to the DMV within 5 days of the sale. This is critical — without it, you remain legally tied to the vehicle. Parking tickets, traffic citations, or accidents involving the car after you sold it can come back to you. Filing takes about 2 minutes online at dmv.ca.gov at no cost. We remind every California seller to do this on pickup day.
Getting a Duplicate Title in California
Apply using form REG 227 (Application for Duplicate or Transfer of Title). Available at any DMV office or at dmv.ca.gov. The fee is $22. You will need a valid government-issued ID and your vehicle’s VIN and license plate number. In-person processing at most offices is same-day. Mail-in applications take 3 to 4 weeks. If you recently paid off a loan, your lender may still show as lienholder — they must release the lien before a duplicate title can be issued in your name only.
Smog Exemption for Junk Car Sales
California’s smog check requirement does not apply to vehicles sold for dismantling or salvage. When you sell your car to a licensed junk car buyer, you are exempt from the biennial smog inspection requirement. You do not need a smog certificate to complete the sale. This exemption is codified under California Vehicle Code Section 4000.1.
Abandoned Vehicle Laws in California
Under California Vehicle Code Section 22523, a vehicle left on a public road for 72 hours or more may be reported as abandoned. On private property in residential areas, local ordinances apply. Most California cities — Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, Fresno, and Bakersfield — prohibit inoperable or unregistered vehicles visible from public view. Citations start at $100 and can escalate quickly. Storage fees after towing by the city can reach several hundred dollars within days.
Cities We Buy Junk Cars in California
We buy junk cars throughout California — from the Central Valley to the coast, the Bay Area to the high desert, and everywhere along I-5 and Highway 99.
🏙️ Bakersfield
Don’t see your city? We serve all of California — call 1-800-935-8652 to confirm pickup at your location.
Frequently Asked Questions — Selling a Junk Car in California
Do I need a title to sell my junk car in California?
California requires a title for all vehicles. If your title is lost, apply for a duplicate through the DMV using form REG 227 for $22. You can do this online at dmv.ca.gov or in person at any DMV office. In-person processing is same-day. We walk you through the process when you call.
How fast can you pick up a junk car in California?
In Fresno, Bakersfield, and most Central Valley cities we offer same-day or next-day pickup. Bay Area, LA, San Diego, and Sacramento also get fast service. Rural areas in the Sierra foothills or North Coast typically schedule within 1 to 2 days.
How much is my junk car worth in California?
California junk cars typically pay $150 to $800 — above the national average due to the state’s large salvage market and high parts demand. Weight, condition, make, and current scrap prices all factor in. Call 1-800-935-8652 for a firm quote on your specific vehicle.
Does California require a smog check to sell a junk car?
No. Vehicles sold for dismantling or salvage are exempt from California’s smog check requirement under Vehicle Code Section 4000.1. You do not need a smog certificate to sell your junk car to us.
Do you buy cars that don’t run in California?
Yes. We buy non-running vehicles throughout California. Blown engine, wrecked, flood-damaged, fire-damaged, or sitting for years. If a tow truck can reach it, we buy it. No extra charges for non-runners.
How do I notify the DMV after selling my junk car in California?
File a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (NRL) at dmv.ca.gov within 5 days of the sale. It’s free and takes about 2 minutes. Without it, you remain liable for tickets and accidents tied to the vehicle after you sell it.
How do I get a duplicate title in California?
Apply using form REG 227 at any DMV office or at dmv.ca.gov. The fee is $22. Bring a valid ID and your VIN and license plate number. In-person processing is same-day. Mail takes 3 to 4 weeks.
Is towing free anywhere in California?
Yes. Towing is included at no charge throughout California. Fresno, Bakersfield, the Bay Area, LA, San Diego, Sacramento — free pickup anywhere we can reach by road. No rural surcharges for foothills or desert locations.
What happens to my junk car after pickup in California?
The vehicle goes to a licensed California dismantler or salvage facility. Usable parts are sold. The metal is recycled. Fluids are handled per California DTSC regulations — among the strictest environmental standards in the country. All facilities we work with are fully licensed.
Ready to Sell Your Junk Car in California?
We pay cash, tow for free, and pick up same-day or next-day across California. Call now or get your offer online in minutes.