Cash for Junk Cars in Texas | Free Towing Statewide

How Selling Your Junk Car Works in Texas

What Is Your Texas Junk Car Worth?

Junk car values in Texas run from $150 for complete scrap vehicles to $1,500 or more for newer models with good parts. Your offer depends on vehicle weight, current scrap metal prices, condition of major components like engines and transmissions, and local parts demand. Texas vehicles often hold better value than those from northern states because the dry climate in West Texas and the Panhandle means less rust. Trucks and SUVs, which are everywhere in Texas, often bring higher prices because of strong parts markets in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.

Scrap steel prices set the baseline value for any junk car. When steel markets rise, so do junk car offers across Texas. A typical sedan weighs around 3,000 pounds, while trucks and SUVs can top 5,000 pounds, which directly affects scrap value. The live tracker below shows current scrap metal rates so you can see market conditions before requesting your quote.

Texas Junk Car Laws and Title Requirements

Title Transfer Process in Texas

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) requires sellers to sign the back of the title certificate to transfer ownership. You must complete the Assignment of Title section with the buyer’s name, sale price, date, and your signature. Texas also requires the odometer reading for vehicles less than 10 years old. Within 30 days of sale, sellers should submit Form 130-U (Application for Texas Title) notification to TxDMV to release liability for the vehicle.

Selling a Junk Car Without a Title

Texas allows title-free sales for vehicles over 25 years old through a Bonded Title process or through licensed salvage dealers. For newer vehicles without titles, you may qualify for a bonded title if you can show ownership through bills of sale, registration receipts, or other documentation. The bond amount equals 1.5 times the vehicle’s value. We can often buy vehicles without titles through our licensed salvage operations, though offers may be lower.

Getting a Duplicate Title in Texas

If your title is lost, damaged, or stolen, apply for a certified copy through TxDMV using Form VTR-34 (Application for a Certified Copy of Title). The fee is $2. You can apply online through the TxDMV website, by mail, or in person at your county tax assessor-collector’s office. Processing takes about two to four weeks by mail. All titleholders must sign the application, and you’ll need your driver’s license and vehicle identification number.

Texas Abandoned Vehicle Laws

Under Texas Transportation Code Chapter 683, a vehicle counts as abandoned if left on public property for more than 48 hours or on private property for more than 24 hours without consent. Law enforcement can authorize towing, and owners face storage fees plus towing charges. Cities like Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio have additional municipal ordinances with stricter timelines and higher penalties. Fines can pile up past the vehicle’s value fast, so selling sooner usually makes more financial sense.

Seller Notice Requirements

Texas law requires sellers to file a Vehicle Transfer Notification (VTN) within 30 days of sale to release liability for parking tickets, tolls, and other violations after the sale. You can submit this notification online at TxDMV.gov, by mail, or in person at no charge. Keep a copy of the signed title and bill of sale for your records. Texas does not require emissions testing for vehicles sold as junk or salvage.

Cities We Buy Junk Cars in Texas

We buy junk cars all over Texas, from the Panhandle plains to the Gulf Coast, across the Hill Country, and along the Rio Grande. Our network covers major metros, small towns, and rural areas in all 254 counties.

Don’t see your city? We serve all of Texas. Call 1-800-935-8652 to confirm pickup at your location.

Frequently Asked Questions — Selling a Junk Car in Texas