The value and ease of selling your junk car is significantly influenced by the status of its vehicle title. Having the title ensures a better price for your damaged vehicle and speeds up the sale process.
To learn more about how scrap car prices are calculated, check out our scrap car prices page.
A vehicle’s title is a legal document detailing the make, model, production year, and vehicle identification number (VIN), as well as the owner’s name and address. This title is essential for transferring ownership.
Selling your scrap car without its title is possible but it might complicate the sale. Some reputable junk car buyers will be reluctant to buy the vehicle without its title. Other buyers may accept the vehicle without its title but offer less money.
Some US states require that you sell your scrap car with its title, making it illegal to scrap an old car without its title. In other states, you can sell the vehicle without its title; however, you will still need to prove ownership by providing the buyer with a bill of sale or your vehicle registration.
Read on to look at different prices for vehicle titles so you can ensure you are getting the best scrap car value.
A Look at Prices by the Vehicle Title Type
The type of vehicle title provided by sellers, or the lack of it, can influence the cash offer they receive for their scrap cars.
Clean title
On average, a car with a clean title will receive a cash offer of $633.73.
A clean title means there are no active liens on the title. It also indicates that you are the owner and have the right to sell the car.
Scrap car buyers prefer buying junk cars with clean titles and can often pay top-dollar cash prices for them. This is because they know the vehicle will not have any issues or give them problems.
No title
Junk vehicles with no title, on average, fetch a cash offer of around $247.05.
Vehicles without titles always sell for less money – that is if you are able to sell your vehicle in the first place.
If you have lost, misplaced, or simply don’t have the vehicle title, you may still be allowed to sell your scrap vehicle, depending on which state or local area you live in. Often, if the vehicle is junked completely and not resold to another buyer, you will get the go-ahead to scrap it without a title.
However, some states don’t allow the scrapping of vehicles without a title.
If you’re wondering how to sell a junk car without its title, visit our detailed guide on junking a car with no title.
Rebuilt title
A vehicle with a rebuilt title will fetch an average selling price of $761.95.
A rebuilt title indicates that the car was once deemed a total loss, likely by an insurance company, but has since been thoroughly rebuilt and refurbished.
Cars with rebuilt titles often get the highest cash offers because scrap car buyers know the vehicle has been rebuilt and fitted with newer parts, making it prime for extracting valuable components. They know that if they scrap the vehicle, they’ll get higher prices for the scrap metal and newer car parts that can be resold.
Scrap vehicles with rebuilt titles tend to also be newer year models that fetch higher cash offers. Many will find that it is often not worth the time and effort to rebuild a car if it is too old.
Now You See Why We Say to Get a Replacement Before Junking
Applying for a replacement title for your damaged vehicle at your local DMV can significantly increase its resale value. Selling your broken down car with its title will always get you more cash.
If you do not have your car’s vehicle title, the cost for a replacement varies between $35 and $55, but this investment ensures a higher return when selling your scrap car.
As mentioned, selling your junk vehicle without a title gets you less money – so it is worth the tiny investment to get a title replaced.
Here are the average replacement title prices in New York, Texas, and California:
- New York = $55
- Texas = $50.50
- California = $35
If selling your scrap vehicle with its title earns you $633.73, and selling it without a title gets you $247.05, it makes sense to sell it with a title. If you live in New York, a small initial setback of $55 can add $386.68 to the scrap value of your car.
Therefore, we always suggest that our clients get a replacement title to make more money when selling their junk cars.
FAQs
What other information is needed to determine my scrap car’s price?
Scrap car buyers and salvage companies look at the following factors when calculating your offer:
- You junk car’s make and model
- Condition
- Mileage
Apart from vehicle information, how else are scrap car values determined?
Dealers also look at the following information to determine scrap vehicle prices:
- Current average prices for scrap cars
- Average value of scrap metal prices in the local market
- Current price of scrap metals in other US locations
What other documents are needed to sell my scrap car?
Keep the following documents ready when selling your damaged vehicle:
- Car registration
- Your identity documents
Selling Your Car With Junk Car Medics
Sell your scrap car effortlessly with Junk Car Medics, America’s leading online junk buyer with 30 years of experience.
To ensure you get the best price for your vehicle, always sell your junk car with its title. At the end of the day, you’ll make more money and sell it faster. Selling your scrap car without its title reduces the potential profit you can make.
If you have lost or misplaced your vehicle title, apply for a copy at your local DMV to ensure you get a top-dollar offer when selling your scrap car for cash.
Sell your scrap car with Junk Car Medics in three easy steps:
- Using our online questionnaire, answer a few questions about your vehicle.
- Instantly get presented with an accurate estimate and our best cash offer.
- Agree to our quote and get a free junk removal service and on-the-spot cash payment.
With Junk Car Medics, selling your junk vans, cars, trucks, and SUVs is simplified in a lucrative and efficient selling process, guaranteeing the best price and service for your vehicle.
