Free Towing for Junk Cars: How It Works & What to Expect

Your junk car doesn't run. Or maybe it runs but shouldn't be on the road. Either way, you're not driving it anywhere. So how do you sell something you can't move?

Free towing. And yes, it's actually free. Legitimate junk car buyers never charge for pickup.

Why Buyers Cover Towing Costs

This isn't charity. It's business.

Junk car companies own their own flatbed trucks. They have drivers on payroll already. Your car is just another stop on a route that's already happening. The actual cost per pickup is a fraction of what you'd pay calling a random tow service.

Charging customers for towing would kill their business. Nobody wants to hear "we'll give you $350, minus $75 for the tow." That math feels terrible. So smart buyers absorb the towing and quote you a number that's actually yours to keep.

If anyone tries to charge you towing fees, hang up. Call someone else. That's not how this works.

What Happens on Pickup Day

Once you accept a quote, you pick a time. Most companies offer same-day or next-day service. We try to work around your schedule since you need to be there.

The driver shows up in a flatbed. Could be your driveway, apartment complex, work parking lot, wherever the car sits. They check the car against your description. VIN, condition, the basics. Making sure everything matches.

Then paperwork. You sign over the title, fill out a bill of sale, show your ID. Driver pays you right there. Cash.

After that, they load the car. Fifteen minutes, usually. Hook it up, winch it onto the bed, strap it down. They drive off. You go back inside with money in your pocket.

Start to finish, maybe 30 to 45 minutes from when the truck pulls up.

Before the Truck Arrives

A little prep goes a long way.

Clean out the car. Seriously, check everywhere. Under seats. Trunk. Glove box. Door pockets. Center console. People leave wallets, phones, cash, important documents. Once that car rolls away, whatever's inside goes with it.

Gather your paperwork. Title, ID, registration if you have it. Don't make the driver wait while you dig through filing cabinets.

Make the car accessible. If it's buried behind two other vehicles and a stack of old tires, move that stuff first. The truck needs room, and the driver needs to reach the car.

Remove your plates. Florida law says plates stay with you, not the car. Pop them off before pickup. You can turn them in to the DMV, transfer them to another car, or hang them on your garage wall as a memento.

Cancel your insurance. No point paying coverage on something you don't own. Most people call their insurance right after the sale.

What If the Car Won't Roll?

Doesn't matter. Flatbeds don't need your wheels to work.

The driver has a winch. If your car won't move, they winch it up onto the bed. Takes a few extra minutes, that's all. We've loaded cars with flat tires, locked-up brakes, missing wheels, cars sitting on blocks. The equipment handles it.

Now, if your car is genuinely stuck somewhere impossible, that's different. Bottom of a ditch. Buried in mud up to the doors. Wedged behind something immovable. Those situations might need special equipment. Mention it upfront so the right truck shows up. Most situations aren't that complicated.

Scheduling Flexibility

We work around your schedule, not the other way around. Mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends. You're the customer.

Most companies schedule in windows rather than exact times. "Between 2 and 5" is typical. Traffic happens. Previous pickups run long. The driver usually calls when they're 20 or 30 minutes out so you know when to expect them.

Need to reschedule? Call ahead. Things come up. Same-day cancellations are frustrating when a truck is already dispatched, but life doesn't always cooperate. Communication keeps everyone happy.

Common Questions

Do I need to be there? Yes. Someone has to sign paperwork and take the money. If you absolutely cannot be present, ask about alternatives. Some companies work with authorized representatives, but it takes coordination.

What if the driver offers less than the quote? Shouldn't happen if you described the car accurately. But if something major wasn't mentioned, like the catalytic converter is gone or the engine you said "runs rough" is actually seized, expect an adjustment. Honest descriptions get honest quotes.

What happens to the car after? Goes to a salvage yard or recycling facility. Parts get pulled and resold. The rest gets crushed and melted down. The metal from your old Civic might end up in a washing machine or a new car. Circle of life, automotive edition.

Ready to Schedule?

We offer free towing across Jacksonville and the surrounding counties. Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Nassau. If you're within about an hour of our yard off Old Kings Road, we'll come get it.

Get your quote and we'll set up a pickup time that works for you. Or call (904) 666-4487 and talk to someone now. Most cars are gone within 24 hours.