A junk car is any vehicle where the cost to repair exceeds its market value. This includes cars that are non-running, totaled, severely damaged, or too old to sell through traditional channels. The car may still have value for its parts, scrap metal, or recyclable materials.
Common characteristics of junk cars include:
- Mechanical failure (blown engine, bad transmission, seized motor)
- Collision damage (frame damage, totaled by insurance)
- Age and wear (high mileage, excessive rust, outdated parts)
- Non-operational status (won’t start, can’t pass inspection)
- Title issues (salvage title, rebuilt title, junk certificate)
A car does not need to be completely destroyed to be considered junk. A 15-year-old sedan with a blown head gasket is often a junk car. So is a flood-damaged SUV or a vehicle that failed emissions testing with no affordable fix.
If you’re wondering whether selling your junk car is worth it, the answer is usually yes. Even vehicles in terrible shape have value to scrap yards, salvage buyers, and parts recyclers.
