What is a junk car?

A junk car is a vehicle that is no longer operable or worth the cost to repair it. These vehicles typically have no resale value, though their parts may still have some value. As a result, junk cars are often sold for parts or scrap.

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What is a junk car worth?

The value of a junk car depends on a lot of factors, including the make and model of the car, its condition, your geographic location, and even the overall price of scrap metal. A rare car make and model, even an inoperable one, can fetch a higher price because some of its parts could be used in other vehicles. Learn how a demo car is different from a junk car.

What to do with a junk car

A vehicle that's considered junk doesn't mean you have to send it to the scrapyard. You might be able to repair the vehicle to make it roadworthy once again, but you should consider the cost of repairs versus the car's overall value. If you can afford repairs, but you can't afford a new vehicle, it might be worthwhile to keep a junk car running for longer. But if the repair costs are too high, selling the car to a junkyard or scrapyard may be the better choice.

Can you junk a car without a title?

You can't drop a vehicle off at a junkyard without a car title and registration. You must prove ownership of a vehicle — and pass ownership rights over to the salvage yard — before they can take possession of the car. You'll have to prove that you own a car before you can leave it at a junkyard.

When to scrap a car

If you have a car that no longer runs and costs more to repair than you could get from selling it, you should consider taking it to the scrapyard. You can try performing repairs yourself, but if you don't have any mechanical training or knowledge, that may be more work than you care to take on. There are many reasons not to leave a scrapped vehicle in your yard. If you have a homeowners association, they may fine you.

If you have a vehicle that no longer runs and will never run again, take it to the scrapyard. The parts might be able to be reused or recycled, and it frees up the clutter that would otherwise take up space in your yard.