Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about selling your junk car to 1-800-We-Junk-Cars. If you don’t see your question answered below, just call us — we’re happy to help.
How much will I get for my junk car?
Most junk cars sell for $100 to $500, but some go higher depending on year, make, model, and condition. A running 2015 Honda with cosmetic damage? That’s worth more than a rusted-out ’98 Ford that hasn’t moved in three years. We factor in current scrap metal prices, salvageable parts, and local market demand. The best way to know exactly what your car is worth is to get a real offer — takes about two minutes online at our instant offer page or call 1-800-935-8652. No obligation, no pressure. Just a straight number.
Do I need a title to sell my junk car?
Usually, yes — you’ll need the title. It proves you own the car, and we need that to complete the sale legally. But if you lost your title, don’t panic. Many states let you get a duplicate from the DMV, sometimes the same day. Some states also accept a valid registration and photo ID as proof of ownership. When you call us at 1-800-935-8652 or get your offer online, we’ll walk you through exactly what your state requires. We’ve done this thousands of times — there’s usually a way to make it work.
Is towing really free?
Yes, towing is 100% free — no hidden fees, no surprise deductions. The price we quote you is the price you get. Period. We don’t play games where we offer you $300, then knock off $75 for the tow truck. That’s not how we work. Our tow drivers come to you — your driveway, your street, wherever the car is sitting — and haul it away at no cost. This applies whether your car runs, doesn’t run, or hasn’t moved since the Obama administration. The offer you accept is the cash you walk away with.
How fast can you pick up my car?
We can often pick up your car the same day or within 24-48 hours. Once you accept your offer, we’ll schedule a pickup time that works for you. Need it gone today? We’ll do everything we can to make that happen. Got a landlord breathing down your neck about that eyesore in the driveway? We get it. Our network covers all 50 states, so there’s usually a tow driver near you ready to roll. Call 1-800-935-8652 or grab your offer online, and we’ll lock in your pickup window right away.
What condition does my car need to be in?
Any condition. Seriously — we buy cars that run perfectly fine and cars that are basically lawn ornaments at this point. Flooded? Fire damaged? Sitting on blocks with no wheels? Transmission shot? Engine seized? We’ve seen it all, and we’ll still make you an offer. The worse the condition, the lower the offer — that’s just reality. But even total clunkers have value in parts and scrap metal. So don’t assume your car is worthless. Get an offer at our instant offer page and find out what it’s actually worth.
Do you buy cars in all 50 states?
Yes, we buy junk cars in all 50 states. Doesn’t matter if you’re in downtown LA or rural Montana — we’ve got you covered. Our nationwide network of tow operators means there’s almost always someone nearby who can come get your car. Same process everywhere: get your offer online or by calling 1-800-935-8652, accept it, schedule your pickup, and get paid. Some folks think they’re too far out in the sticks for us to reach. Nine times out of ten, they’re wrong. Enter your zip code when you get your offer, and we’ll confirm we service your area.
How do I get paid?
You get paid at pickup — cash or check, depending on your location and preference. The driver shows up, verifies the car matches what you described, you hand over the title and keys, and you walk away with money in hand. No waiting for a check to clear, no “we’ll mail it to you in 7-10 business days” nonsense. Your car for our cash, right there on the spot. That’s the whole point of calling 1-800-We-Junk-Cars — you want that thing gone and you want to get paid today.
Do you buy non-running cars?
Absolutely. Non-running cars are basically our specialty. Dead battery, blown engine, busted transmission, won’t start for reasons unknown — doesn’t matter to us. We’ll still buy it and tow it away free. A lot of people think a non-running car is worthless, but that’s not true. There’s value in the parts, the metal, sometimes even the catalytic converter alone is worth something. So yeah, even if you’ve got a driveway anchor that hasn’t turned over in years, we want to hear from you. Get your offer at our instant offer page and see what it’s worth.
What if I lost the keys?
No keys? No problem. We can still buy your car. Our tow drivers can load vehicles without keys — they do it all the time. Lost keys might affect your offer slightly since it adds a step on our end, but it won’t disqualify your car. Just be upfront about it when you’re getting your quote so there are no surprises at pickup. The important thing is having your title and ID ready. Keys are nice to have, but they’re not a dealbreaker. Call 1-800-935-8652 and let us know your situation — we’ll work it out.
Will you buy a wrecked or totaled car?
Yes, we buy wrecked and totaled cars every day. Front-end collision, rear-ended, rolled it in a ditch — we’ve seen everything. Even if your insurance company already called it a total loss, that doesn’t mean it’s worthless to us. There’s still value in salvageable parts, working components, and scrap metal. A lot of our calls come from people whose cars just got totaled and they want to squeeze a few extra bucks out of it beyond the insurance payout. Get your offer online or call 1-800-935-8652, and we’ll tell you exactly what your wrecked car is worth.
Do I have to be home for pickup?
Yes, you or someone authorized to sign the paperwork needs to be there at pickup. We need to verify the car, collect the title, and pay you. Can’t do that if nobody’s home. But we’re flexible on timing — morning, afternoon, evening, weekends — we’ll find a window that works with your schedule. If you absolutely can’t be there, you can authorize someone else to handle the transaction on your behalf. Just let us know when you schedule pickup so we can make sure all the paperwork is in order. Call 1-800-935-8652 with any questions.
What documents do I need at pickup?
You’ll need your car title and a valid photo ID — that’s the bare minimum in most states. The title proves you own the car, and the ID proves you’re the person on the title. Some states require extra paperwork like a bill of sale or release of liability, but we’ll tell you exactly what you need before pickup day so there are no surprises. If there’s a lien on the title, you’ll need a lien release from your lender. Missing your title? Call us at 1-800-935-8652 and we’ll help you figure out your options based on your state’s requirements.
Can I sell a car that’s not registered in my name?
It depends. If the car isn’t in your name, you’re going to have a harder time selling it — and for good reason. We need proof of legal ownership before we can buy any vehicle. If the car belonged to a deceased family member, you may need probate documents or a transfer of ownership through the estate. If you bought it but never transferred the title, you’ll need to track down the previous owner or go through your state’s title process. Every situation is different, so call us at 1-800-935-8652 and explain your circumstances. We’ll tell you straight up what’s possible.
What kinds of cars do you buy?
We buy cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, and pretty much anything with four wheels and a motor. Domestic, foreign, old, newer — doesn’t matter. Ford F-150 with 250,000 miles? Yep. Honda Civic that got rear-ended? Sure. Minivan that smells like a swamp and hasn’t run since 2019? We’ll take it. We’re not picky about brands or body styles. The only things we typically don’t buy are motorcycles, RVs, boats, or commercial vehicles. If you’ve got a regular passenger vehicle you want gone, get your offer at our instant offer page or call 1-800-935-8652.
How do you determine the offer price?
We look at year, make, model, mileage, condition, and your location. A newer car with good parts is worth more than a rusted-out beater. A car in Phoenix is worth different than the same car in rural Maine — local scrap prices and parts demand vary. We also factor in current market conditions for recyclable metals and salvageable components. Our system crunches all this data to give you a fair offer fast. No lowballing, no games. You get a real number based on what your car is actually worth in today’s market. Get your offer now at our instant offer page.
Will you tow it from a parking lot or storage facility?
Yes, we can pick up your car from parking lots, storage facilities, apartment complexes, tow yards — pretty much anywhere it’s sitting. If your car got towed and you don’t want to pay to get it out, we might be able to buy it and pick it up directly. Some facilities require you to authorize the release, so you may need to coordinate with them beforehand. Let us know the situation when you call 1-800-935-8652, and we’ll walk you through what needs to happen. We’ve dealt with plenty of cars stuck in impound lots and storage units — it’s not a problem.
How long is my offer good for?
Your offer is typically good for 7 days. After that, scrap metal prices may have changed, parts demand might be different, or market conditions could shift — so we’d need to re-evaluate. Our advice? If you’re ready to sell, don’t sit on the offer. Lock in your pickup while the price is guaranteed. If life gets in the way and your offer expires, just come back to our instant offer page or call 1-800-935-8652 and we’ll get you a fresh quote. Takes two minutes. No hard feelings if you need more time — but the sooner you move, the sooner you get paid.
What happens to the car after pickup?
After we pick up your car, it goes to one of our partner facilities where it gets processed for parts, recycling, or resale depending on its condition. Cars with usable parts get dismantled so those components can be reused — transmissions, engines, doors, electronics. The rest gets recycled responsibly. Metals get melted down and repurposed. Fluids are disposed of properly. Nothing goes to waste if we can help it. So if you’re wondering whether your old beater ends up rusting in a field somewhere — nope. It gets a second life, one way or another. And you get cash today.
Looking for State-Specific Answers?
Title requirements, abandoned vehicle laws, and duplicate title fees differ from state to state. We’ve built pages for all 50 states that cover what actually applies where you live. Popular ones: Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Georgia. Find your state here.
Still have questions? Call us — we’re here to help.