How to Prepare Your Car for Sale to a Junkyard

While junkyards buy cars in any condition, taking a few preparation steps can help you get a better offer and make the sale process smoother.

1. Remove Personal Belongings

Check the entire vehicle thoroughly – trunk, glove compartment, under seats, and door pockets. It's common to find forgotten items like CDs, sunglasses, garage door openers, and toll transponders. Once the car is picked up, retrieving items can be difficult or impossible.

2. Remove License Plates

In most states, you're required to remove your license plates before the car is towed. Return them to the DMV or transfer them to your new vehicle. Keeping plates on a sold car can lead to liability issues if the vehicle is used in a crime or gets parking tickets.

3. Gather Required Documents

Have your title, registration, and ID ready. If you don't have the title, contact your state DMV for a replacement or ask the junkyard about their requirements for cars without titles.

4. Cancel Insurance and Registration

Contact your insurance company immediately after the sale to cancel coverage. Keep coverage active until the car is picked up. Also notify the DMV that you've sold the vehicle to avoid future liability.

5. Be Honest About Condition

When getting a quote, accurately describe your car's condition. Mention if it runs, any missing parts, major damage, or mechanical issues. Buyers will inspect the car and adjust offers if the condition doesn't match your description, which wastes everyone's time.

What NOT to Do

• Don't waste time cleaning the car extensively – junkyards don't care about appearance.
• Don't make repairs unless they're very cheap and significantly increase value.
• Don't remove valuable parts yourself unless you know what you're doing – you might reduce the car's overall value.