How to Get Cash For Junk Cars in Riverside
You can get cash for junk cars in Riverside at Justin’s Car Buyers, Wheelzy, or The Clunker Junker.
Written by Ethan Moser
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
If your broken-down vehicle is collecting dust in your garage, selling your junk car is practical and financially beneficial. The Clunker Junker, Wheelzy, and Sell Max are a few of the companies offering cash for junk cars in Riverside.
While you might have fond memories of driving your years-old
Toyota Camry
, it’s not doing you any good sitting broken-down in your garage. Selling a vehicle that no longer runs to an auto recycler or salvage yard can help you offload the unused vehicle while maximizing your profits. Jerry
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comparison super app, is here to help you locate some of the best places to sell your junk car and even give you some tips on how to get the cheapest car insurance in Riverside, California
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What qualifies as a junk car?
Just because your vehicle is 30 years old or a conglomeration of new and used parts doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a junk car. But, then again—it might be.
There’s no one way to define what is considered a “junk car,” but your car could be considered junk if it:
- No longer runs
- Has a resale value of under $500
- Is permanently parked in one place
A junk car might still look relatively new or it might look more like your stereotypical clunker. Regardless of its aesthetic condition, determining whether it’s junk or not depends more on the financial burden or mechanical impossibility of making your car road-safe again. Sometimes the best thing to do with a junk car is to cut your losses and sell it.
MORE: How to insure a car with a salvage title
How to sell a junk car
It can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to offloading your junk car. So how can you make sure you’re getting the biggest payout for your unused vehicle?
1. Start by gathering the car’s documents. Some businesses will happily buy your junk car for scrap without a certificate of title, but this won’t always be the case. Providing the vehicle’s title can also earn you some extra cash when you sell. Don’t have a copy of it? You can always visit your local DMV office to
replace your lost title
. 2. Find a reputable junkyard or other buyer. Depending on where you live there might be several options for salvage yards. When looking for a salvage yard, you’ll want to make sure the business is properly licensed before selling. If you’d rather sell to an individual buyer, you can always turn to Craigslist to purchase a listing in your local newspaper.
3. Clean out the car. Before you hand over your junk car, make sure you’ve removed all personal items. You’ll also want to vacuum and clean your car’s interior before selling.
4. Remove your license plates and non-metal components. Certain states don’t require drivers to return their license plates upon selling their vehicle, although in other states this isn't always the case. Similarly, certain salvage yards will only purchase the metal components of your junk car, so you may be responsible for removing all non-metal components such as upholstery.
5. Take out any working parts. If your junk car still has operative parts such as a functioning transmission or a working radio, you can remove these parts before junking it to use in another vehicle or to sell independently.
6. Sign over the title. If your salvage yard of choice only purchases junk cars with titles, you’ll have to
transfer your car’s title
to its new owner—the salvage yard—to finalize the transaction. 7. Cancel your insurance. Have a new vehicle? You’ll need insurance—and
Jerry
can make the process smooth and seamless!MORE: How to sell a junk car for cash
Where to sell a junk car in Riverside
A quick Google search for places to sell your junk car in Riverside, California is bound to return a host of results—some less trustworthy than others. For the best results, check out the following locations.
The Clunker Junker
Address: The Clunker Junker Riverside, Riverside, California, 92501
Phone number: (888) 383-4181
BBB rating: A+
The Clunker Junker
is a nationwide company that buys junk vehicles in the Riverside area. You can get a quote online and they may even buy your junk car, SUV, or truck without a title. Wheelzy
Address: Wheelzy Riverside, Riverside, California, 92501
Phone number: (855) 294-0940
BBB rating: Not accredited
Wheelzy
claims to be the #1 place to sell your junk car in Riverside, California, regardless of its condition. They will also take care of all filing necessary to transfer your vehicle’s title and will even pick up your car for free! While they are not accredited by the Better Business Bureau, Wheelzy does boast a Trustpilot rating of 4.7/5 with over 23,000 reviews. Sell Max
Address: Sell Max Riverside, Riverside, California, 92501
Phone number: (951) 476-2300
BBB rating: Not accredited
Sell Max
is one of the top junk car buyers in the Riverside, CA area. Dedicated to providing sellers with fair prices on their junk cars, Sell Max also offers a free pick-up and towing service for all customers. Justin’s Car Buyers
Address: Justin’s Car Buyers Riverside, Riverside, California, 92501
Phone number: (951) 227-7859
BBB rating: Not accredited
Want to sell your junk car directly to a small business instead of dealing with a national company?
Justin’s Car Buyers
is a Riverside-based company offering cash for junk and slightly used vehicles. They’ll even remove your car for free and take care of any additional paperwork to finalize your title transfer. MORE: Here’s how to save money on car expenses
How to find affordable car insurance in Riverside
Selling your junk car to a salvage yard is a great way to score some extra cash. Another way to save money is by shopping for your next car insurance policy with
Jerry
, the trustworthy insurance comparison app
. As a licensed broker, Jerry matches users with the best competitive quotes on car insurance from more than 50 of the top providers nationwide. Once you pick a policy, Jerry takes care of everything to finalize it—and even helps cancel your old one.
The average Jerry user saves over $800 per year!
“I love how easy it was for me, as someone who has an older beat-up truck, to get insurance without going through a lot of trouble. I would recommend anyone tryJerrysince it’s free!” —Melissa I.
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