Selling a junk car that is not yours comes with a few obstacles, but it is completely possible. Nobody can sell junk vehicles except for the current legal owner. To sell your junk vehicle, you must claim ownership of the vehicle and have legitimate documents proving you are the vehicle's legal owner. Though you can’t sell a vehicle that does not belong to you, there are ways to legally become the vehicle’s owner, which will allow you to sell your junk car for a hefty profit.
Below we will guide you through selling a junk car for cash that is not yours. Along with this simple checklist, you’ll find tips and answers to your biggest questions regarding selling a vehicle that does not belong to you.
Can I sell a junk car for cash that is not mine?
Legally, you cannot sell a junk vehicle that is not yours. However, there are ways to assert ownership over a vehicle not currently in your name. There are many reasons a person may come to possess a vehicle that is not titled or registered to them, such as an involuntary transfer. Involuntary transfers refer to title transfers of vehicles abandoned or seized by a government entity/lienholder due to bankruptcy or unpaid debts. Laws regarding involuntary transfers differ from state to state, so it is important to inform yourself about the details of the laws so you can proceed accordingly.
How to sell a junk car that is not mine
Selling a junk car that isn’t yours requires you to claim the vehicle legally. This is possible by getting the vehicle title transferred to your name. Vehicle title transfers can be initiated by the original vehicle owner or a government entity that has seized the vehicle due to abandonment, bankruptcy, or unpaid debts. Once you have the vehicle title, you can arrange your paperwork. Proof of ownership must be established when selling any vehicle for cash. This document tends to be the vehicle title, but it can also be a bill of sale or vehicle registration.
After your proof of ownership is in order, you can start looking up junk car buyers in your area and gathering price quotes for your junk vehicle. When the best possible offer is chosen, an agreement between the buyer and seller is made concerning pick-up or delivery methods and dates. From there, the vehicle title and the junk car will be transferred to the new owner, and payment for the vehicle will be given.
9 steps on how to sell a junk car that is not mine
Below is a 9-step checklist for selling a junk car for cash that is not yours.
1. Prepare yourself for the process of selling a junk car that is not mine
Selling a junk car that is not yours requires some preparation and organization. First, you must make sure the vehicle legally belongs to you. This means getting the vehicle title in your name. Have the original owner transfer the vehicle title to you before you commit to selling the junk vehicle to any buyers. Once you have settled your proof of ownership paperwork, you should accurately document the vehicle's condition to relay it to potential buyers. Purposely misleading buyers is illegal, so if your vehicle is damaged, let your buyer know.
Arranging a method of transportation is another important task before selling your junk vehicle. Connect with junk car buyers who can pick up and remove your vehicle for free if you do not have a way to deliver the vehicle.
2. Get a replacement title or transfer the title into your name
Before starting the research process, you must transfer the vehicle title into your name. Sometimes, a vehicle owner may sign the title when giving the new owner the car. This should only be a temporary method of establishing ownership and a vehicle transfer must be performed officially with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Those who have already gone through a title transfer but have a damaged or lost title can apply for a replacement with the DMV. Getting a replacement title traditionally requires an application fee. All applications can be filled out and paid for online or in person at your local DMV.
3. Gather all necessary paperwork
Selling a junk car for cash means you must have the vehicle title or another form of proof of ownership available. Those who do not have a vehicle title may use their vehicle registration or bill of sale. Having the title available will get you more money for your junk vehicle, so apply for a replacement if possible.
4. Research junk car buyers in your area
Since your proof of ownership is now in order, you can start researching the best junk car buyers in your area. The ideal junk car buyer is well-reviewed and can pick up your vehicle at no cost. Individual buyers are great for sellers looking for someone with a sentimental attachment to the vehicle or its parts, as they may be willing to pay more. Either way, you should list a handful of buyers to have plenty of backup in case the original sale falls through.
5. Get offers
With your main potential junk car buyers in mind, it is time to contact each of them and receive a price quote for your junk vehicle. Giving accurate information to your buyers will increase the likelihood of a large payout – transparent sellers tend to mean that the vehicle has been decently cared for and has plenty of viable parts.
6. Compare your offers
To be safe, you should have 3-5 solid offers for your junk vehicle. Take the time to sort through them and see which buyer can offer you the best deal. Junk car buyers who require delivery may not be the best option, especially if you don’t have a means of transportation. Delivery costs will shrink your profit, so choose the buyer who will remove your vehicle for free and offer you the best price.
7. Select an offer
After selecting the best offer, contact the junk car buyer and confirm the sale. Transportation details should also be confirmed – make sure they are willing to pick up your junk car and that you will not be charged for it. Agree on a form of payment – either cash or digital transfer – and payment date. The best option for either party is usually accepting payment on the day of vehicle pick-up.
8. Schedule a time to drop off the vehicle or have it removed
The buyer and seller should agree on a date and time for the vehicle to be delivered or removed. Check again with the buyer for their preferred form of payment. Make sure your junk vehicle is in an accessible location so your buyer doesn’t have to struggle with removal.
9. Complete the sale of your junk car
On the removal day, allow the buyer to inspect your junk vehicle quickly. This will ensure they are satisfied with the goods and paying for their intended vehicle. Remove all license plates and personal items from the vehicle before removal. Payments made through a digital transfer should be checked to ensure they are fully processed. Check your bank statements to confirm a successful transaction.
What to do if a junk car is not in your name?
You must get a vehicle title transferred to your name if it has not been already. Vehicle transfers are a relatively straightforward process. When receiving the vehicle, the previous owner will hand over the original title, signed by them on the back in the seller’s section. As the new owner, you must take this signed title to the DMV and fill out a Registration and Title Application. Once this application is submitted and approved, you will become the legal owner of the junk vehicle and be able to sell it as you please.
How to tell if a junk car is not in your name?
You can tell if a junk car is not in your name when the vehicle title is not registered with the DMV. A vehicle titled in anyone else’s name besides yours cannot legally belong to you, and you are not allowed to sell it until the title is transferred to your name.
How to get a replacement title for your junk car?
A replacement title for your junk vehicle is possible by filing an application with the DMV. A replacement title application tends to require a filing fee, which can be paid online or in person. A replacement title is worth getting if you intend to sell your junk vehicle. Junk cars with the original or a replacement title tend to garner $132 more on average from junk buyers.
What is needed to sell a junk car that is not mine?
To sell a junk car for cash that is not yours you need proof of ownership, a way of contacting potential junk buyers, and a means of vehicle transportation. As mentioned, the junk vehicle title must legally belong to you if you sell it. The vehicle title must be in your name. Though the vehicle title is not required to sell the vehicle, you must be able to furnish proof of ownership with a bill of sale or car registration.
Junk car buyers can be primarily contacted on the internet or in person, but it is a good idea to give potential buyers other contact information to reach you, such as your personal phone number. This will come in handy during vehicle delivery or pick-up, and you can communicate quickly if any part of the sale needs to be addressed quickly.
Many junk car buyers online are waiting to purchase your unwanted vehicle, and Junk Car Medics is at the top of the list. We will pick up and remove your junk vehicle for free and offer competitive price quotes that other junk buyers can’t beat!
What are some situations where a junk car is not legally yours?
A few situations may arise where you come into possession of a junk vehicle that is not in your name. A close relative may have passed, a vehicle may have been left unattended on your property, or you may have been given the vehicle as a gift. Either way, you cannot sell the vehicle to anyone else until you have established legal ownership, even if you have verbal permission from the original owner. A title transfer must be initiated from the current owner to you before you can have a legal claim over the vehicle.
Abandoned on your property
Junk vehicles left unpermitted on your property for more than 48 hours are illegal and should be reported to the authorities. You do not immediately own any vehicle left unattended on your property. Once reported, local authorities will hire a towing service to remove the vehicle from your premises and store it. The vehicle’s owner must be recognized and contacted by the police. They will be given an adequate period of time to claim and pick up the vehicle, which tends to incur storage charges and abandonment fines.
Those interested in claiming an abandoned vehicle that is not in their name should contact local authorities about how to proceed with a potential purchase. You may buy the abandoned vehicle from a government entity or storage facility if the original owner has not claimed it or refuses to pay the accrued storage debt.
Death of a family member
A junk vehicle may come into your possession if a family member has passed away and left it to you. To have a legal claim over the vehicle, the deceased party must have listed you as the Executor of the Estate in their will if they did not transfer the title to you before passing. An Executor of Estate can manage a deceased person’s financial assets and fulfill their last wishes. With this title, you are responsible for when and how to sell the deceased’s junk vehicle.
Not having the title/not having the title in your name
Having the vehicle title in your name is a crucial aspect of establishing ownership over the vehicle. Those with a vehicle not in their name must initiate a title transfer with the DMV. A title can be transferred to a new owner by the previous owner, but in some cases, this is not possible. When these situations arise, you may petition for an involuntary transfer. An involuntary vehicle transfer may occur due to divorce, vehicle abandonment, unpaid lien or storage debts, and government seizure due to bankruptcy. This allows the vehicle to be titled in your name without the previous owner's consent.
