Selling your junk car for cash doesn’t have to be a hassle. Whether it’s been sitting in your garage for years or just recently kicked the bucket, you have many options for where to sell a junk car, even if it’s totaled or inoperable.
You can sell your junk car to private used car buyers or local places that buy junk cars, like a junkyard or scrap metal shop. If you just want it gone, donating to charity is another option. But, one of the best ways to sell your junk car and make money is by selling it to an online company that buys old and broken-down cars.
Selling old and unused items around your home is a great way to earn extra income. From selling old coins and baseball cards to finding interesting things to pawn in your garage, there are a lot of ways to earn money as a homeowner.
In this guide, we’ll go over the steps for how to sell a junk car and the best online junk car buyers. So, let’s dive in and learn how to turn that old clunker into fast cash!
| Company | Free Pickup | Notable Features | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peddle | Yes | A+ BBB rating, nationwide coverage, accepts cars without titles | Instant offer, free pickup, accepts non-running cars | Offer valid for 7 days only |
| Wheelzy | Yes | Uses AI for offers, 4.7 Trustpilot rating | Fast offers, free pickup, no in-person evaluation | Lower offers compared to some competitors |
| CarBrain | Yes | Online marketplace, A+ BBB rating | Potentially higher payout, free pickup, instant offers | Slightly lower instant offer compared to Peddle |
| Carvana | No | Offers in 2 minutes, requires driveable cars | Fast offers, competitive payouts, drop-off locations | Only buys driveable cars, not all markets have pickup |
| CashforCars.com | Yes | Buys various vehicles, easy process | Buys any vehicle type, fast process, free towing | Offers might be lower for totaled cars |
| Copart | Yes | 200+ locations, fast cash, online tool Copart Direct | Buys cars in any condition, fast payout | Offer varies significantly by condition |
| SellMax | Yes | Fast turnaround, buys cars in any condition | Fast turnaround, buys cars in any condition, free pickup | Demand affects payout, offers not guaranteed |
| CarMax | No | High payouts, in-person inspection required | High payouts, large network of locations | In-person process required, no free towing |
| The Clunker Junker | Yes | Guaranteed payment, fast offer, free towing | Guaranteed payment, fast offer, free towing | Requires proof of ownership, title preferred |
| CarFax Sell My Car | No | Connects with local dealers, 3-day guaranteed offers | Free appraisals, local dealer connections | In-person appointment needed for final offer |
Need To Sell Fast? Where To Sell Your Junk Car for Quick Cash
Peddle
Peddle is our top pick for where to sell a junk car fast for the highest payout. Based in Austin, TX, Peddle boasts over a decade of experience and has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Overview
- Website: https://www.peddle.com
- Established business with an excellent track record
- Gives an instant, guaranteed offer
- Offers free same-day pickup and payment
Operating nationwide, Peddle works with dealerships from all 50 states who are looking for old cars to scrap or sell to junkyards. You can sell for cash even if your car doesn’t run, is missing parts, or doesn’t have a title.
How Peddle Works
The process is simple. You just have to fill out an online form with your car details, including your license plate number and VIN. Then, Peddle will give you an instant cash offer that’s guaranteed for seven days.
Payout amounts vary depending on the condition, mileage, and age of your vehicle. For instance, Peddle will give you around $820 for a 2007 Toyota Camry with 250,000 miles and slight body damage, while a 2004 Nissan Altima in good condition with the same mileage goes for around $400.
If you accept their offer, Peddle will arrange for a free pickup of your car. After a quick inspection, you’ll receive a check on the spot.
Wheelzy
Founded in 2016 and based in Orlando, FL, Wheelzy is a leading cash-for-car business that partners with a nationwide network of junk car buyers and towing services to purchase old and broken-down vehicles from individuals. With over 200,000 satisfied customers and a 4.7-star rating on Trustpilot, Wheelzy has an established, reliable reputation.
Overview
- Website: https://wheelzy.com
- Guaranteed offer in under 30 minutes
- Free pickup
- Does not require in-person evaluation
How Wheelzy Works
After you fill out the form online, the company uses AI to determine your car’s value before sending you a guaranteed offer. For example, you can get around $190 for a 2003 Honda Accord in good condition with 200,000 miles. If you accept their offer, you can schedule a pickup time for someone to come pick it up for free and give you cash on the spot.
CarBrain
CarBrain is a BBB-accredited website with an A+ rating. Originally founded as DamagedCars.com in 2007, the company rebranded under the name CarBrain in 2017.
Overview
- Website:
- Potentially higher payout from online selling marketplace
- Instant offer for most cars
- Free pickup anywhere in the U.S.
How CarBrain Works
CarBrain can help you sell your junk car for cash in two ways. They provide instant offers for most cars and also have an online marketplace where you can list your car and sell it yourself. They also include free pickup.
For a 2011 Honda Civic LX Sedan with 124K miles, CarBrain provides an instant offer of around $1,230. This is slightly less than Peddle offers for the same car ($1,325), but you can potentially make a higher profit using their marketplace.
Carvana
Carvana is an online dealership that makes it easy to sell and buy a used card. You can get a non-negotiable offer in under two minutes, and their payout is typically in line with Kelly Blue Book values.
Overview
- Website: https://www.carvana.com
- Fast offers in less than 2 minutes
- Offers drop-off locations to save money
- Zero selling fees
How Carvana Works
However, it’s important to note that Carvana will not buy all junk cars. Your vehicle must be driveable, have a working odometer, and be newer than 1992. In addition, Carvana will not buy a car with a history of accidents or frame damage.
In some markets, Carvana offers pickup services, but in other locations, you must drop off your car at one of their lots. You can also save money on pickup fees by using a Carvana drop-off location. Once your vehicle is dropped off or picked up, you will be paid.
CashforCars.com
Cashforcars.com will buy virtually any vehicle, not just cars. This includes motorcycles, boats, and RVs. The 35-year-old business operates across the United States and pays fair cash prices for vehicles in any condition. Even if your car is totaled, you can sell it for scrap value.
Overview
- Website: https://www.cashforcars.com
- Easy online process
- Buys pretty much any vehicle
- Free towing included
How CashForCars.com Works
To sell for cash, you just have to call or fill out the website’s online form and wait a few minutes to receive a quote. Then, you can choose to accept their offer and schedule a time for a tow truck to pick up your junk car. It’s possible to get fast cash for your clunker that same day.
Copart
In business for over 40 years, Copart is an established auction website where you can buy and sell used cars. Recently, they added a convenient online tool called Copart Direct that gives you an instant offer for cars in any condition.
Overview
- https://www.copart.com
- Buys cars in any condition
- Fast payout
- Majority of pickups happen in 24-48 hours
How Copart Works
With Copart Direct, you can convert your junk car to fast cash in as little as one day. To receive an instant offer, you just have to fill out the online form on the website or give them a call. Copart offers around $847 for a slightly damaged 2007 Toyota Camry with 250K miles and $303 for a good condition 2004 Nissan Altima with similar mileage.
If you accept the offer, Copart will arrange for a tow truck to come pick up your car, for free. With over 200 locations nationwide, cars sell fast. The majority of pickups happen in just 24 to 48 hours.
Sellmax
Founded in 1990, Sellmax is a business based in San Diego, CA that offers a way to easily sell your old or damaged car for cash. You can sell for cash even if your car is wrecked or the title is lost. The service is free to use, and cars sell fast, with the typical being 48 hours.
Overview
- Website: https://sellmax.com
- Buys cars in any condition or with lost titles
- Fast turnaround time
- No trade-in purchase required
How SellMax Works
You can apply online or over the phone to receive an offer for your car from SellMax. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. You must accept the offer within 7 days. Pickup is free, and you will be paid at the time of pickup.
However, demand in your location plays into the payout price, and offers are not guaranteed. For example, in Los Angeles, CA the average payout is $637, while in Tucson, AZ it’s $597.
Carmax
Not to be confused with Sellmax, Carmax is a separate business established in 1993 in Richmond, Virginia. They are a used auto retailer that allows people to buy and sell their used cars both in-person and online. Carmax usually offers more than the Kelly Blue Book value of a vehicle.
Overview
- Website: https://www.carmax.com
- Instant cash offers online
- High payouts
- Can sell online or in-person
How Carmax Works
Selling a car to Carmax works similarly to the others on this list, but there is one key difference. You can get an instant offer online, but in most cases, you must visit an in-person location to finalize the process. In a few areas, Carmax offers pickup services, but it’s not free. If you need towing, you will have to pay for this out-of-pocket.
Carmax has 244 locations across the nation where you can drop off your car. Notably, there are no Carmax locations in the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, or Montana. Before you get paid for your car, an inspection will be performed.
The Clunker Junker
Founded in Florida in 2011, The Clunker Junker is a website that specializes in buying junk cars. They are BBB-accredited with an A+ rating and work with junk car buyers across the United States to help people easily get fast cash for their old clunker.
Overview
- Website: https://theclunkerjunker.com
- 100% payment guarantee
- Instant offers in less than five minutes
- Free towing
How The Clunker Junker Works
You can get an instant offer in under five minutes by giving The Clunker Junker a call or filling out their online form with your car’s details. You’ll need to provide your title, or if you don’t have one, a proof of ownership document such as vehicle registration or a photo ID. Once you accept their offer, The Clunker Junker will arrange for free pickup of your car within one to three business days.
The Clunker Junker provides a 100% payment guarantee, which means that in the event one of their affiliated junk car buyers fails to pay you, the company will still honor the full offer amount.
CarFax Sell My Car
Based in Virginia in 1984, Carfax is a company that primarily provides vehicle history reports. They also have a service called Sell My Car that connects used or junk car sellers to local dealers.
Overview
- Website: https://www.carfax.com
- Instant online estimates
- Offers are guaranteed for 3 days
- Free appraisals
How CarFax Works
When you fill out their online form, Carfax Sell My Car will give you an estimate of your car’s worth and a list of dealerships near you that will buy your car. From there, you can contact the local dealerships to schedule an in-person appointment. The dealer will inspect your car and give you a cash offer.
All of these local dealers have agreed to provide free in-person appraisals and guaranteed offers for 3 days.
Where To Sell a Junk Car Near Me?
Selling your junk car online is the fastest and most convenient way to sell for cash. But, this isn’t your only option.
Before selling your old clunker, you should check your local opportunities to make the best decision.
Here are some alternatives for where to sell a junk car:
🧑 Private Listings: Consider selling your junk car to a private buyer. Some people buy junk cars for parts, restoration, or even art projects. Unlike car-buying websites, junk cars don’t typically sell fast on the private market. But if you’re not in a rush, it could pay off. You might get a better price for your vehicle than you would by selling it to an online junk car buyer.
🚛 Junkyards: Many junkyards and scrap yards will buy your old or broken-down car for cash. Depending on its condition, you can expect to get anywhere from $100 to $950. Often, these places also offer towing services for non-running or wrecked cars.
💙 Charities: If you want it to be used for a good purpose, consider donating your junk car to charity. Most charities will not compensate you, you can benefit by using the donation as a tax deduction.
⚙️ Scrap Metal Shops: Some scrap metal shops buy junk cars for $100 to $1,000, depending on current scrap metal prices. Typically, you only want to go this route if your car is completely totaled and non-running. You can search online for “scrap metal shops” or “scrap car buyers near me” to find local options. It’s wise to get multiple quotes and be aware of any additional fees, such as towing.
How To Sell Your Junk Car in 6 Steps
Selling a junk car might not be your dream scenario, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. By following a few simple steps, you can streamline the process and get the best deal possible. Here are some tips on how to sell your junk car smoothly.
1. Determine the Value of Your Junk Car
Inspect your car and note any damages to assess its condition. Research online to find out how much similar cars have sold for. Use online tools designed to estimate junk car prices or check recently sold listings on auction websites. Most junk cars can be sold for $100-$500, but some can be worth up to $1,000, depending on the age and condition.
2. Prepare Your Car for Sale
If you’ve added customizations, such as an upgraded stereo system, consider removing them to sell separately for extra cash. Once your car is ready for sale, take clear photos to share with potential buyers or include in your private listing.
3. Gather the Necessary Documents
Ensure you have all the required paperwork before seeking offers for your junk car. Most buyers will not purchase a vehicle without a title or proof of ownership. Additionally, have the registration and insurance documents on hand.
If your car is leased, include the lease agreement. Papers related to warranties or additional coverage are also important, along with service records and a vehicle history report.
4. Get Quotes from Junk Car Buyers
Research online to build a list of potential buyers. Contact and compare offers from different types of buyers, such as local junkyards and scrap metal buyers. Some may provide quotes over the phone, while others might require an in-person meeting.
Many online junk car buyers offer fast quotes through forms on their websites. Also, consider how similar cars are performing in your local private market to gauge potential private sale prices.
5. Accept an Offer
Obtain several quotes before deciding which to accept. Choose the highest bidder, but be aware of any additional fees, like towing.
Many online junk car buyers include towing for free, while in-person buyers might require you to arrange your own tow truck or deduct towing costs from the sale price. Some buyers may require an inspection to confirm your car’s condition matches your report.
6. Transfer the Title and Get Paid
Once you’ve selected a buyer, sign over the title and complete the necessary paperwork. After receiving payment, check with your local DMV to cancel your registration and ensure the title status is properly transferred. Contact your insurance company to remove the sold car from your policy.
Fast Cash for Your Junk Car
If you have a junk car that you need to get rid of, it’s good to know that you can sell fast for a nice stack of cash. There are many ways to sell for cash, including selling to private or local junk car buyers and selling online to an online junk car buyer.
It’s smart to take your time and compare offers from multiple buyers. The best option for you will depend on your specific vehicle’s details. Private sales might fetch the most money, but they require finding the right buyer, which can take a long time.
In contrast, local and online junk car buyers might offer slightly less but are almost always ready to buy your car, regardless of its condition. While other methods might suit some sellers better, getting a free quote from an online junk car buyer like Peddle is always worthwhile. Even if you choose a different route, you’ll have a solid offer to compare.
