Selling your junk car to a scrapper, junkyard, or auto recycling company is a great way to get a lemon off your hands and earn a couple hundred dollars in the process. Several places in San Francisco will gladly take your junk car in exchange for cash, including Junk Cars for Cash Oakland, Bay Area We Buy Cars, IAA, and Ajax Auto Dismantlers.
PT Cruisers, Ford Tauruses, and Dodge minivans are some of the most common cars found in salvage yards—but that doesn’t tell all. If you believe your vehicle should be headed for the crusher, you may have more options in the Bay Area to maximize your junk car profits.
Not sure if your car qualifies? Jerry
the super app is here to help—and we’re not just talking about saving you money on your car insurance
. Keep reading for advice on the signs of a junk vehicle, what to do with your junk car, the best junk cars for cash businesses, and even saving on car insurance in San Francisco, California
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What qualifies as a junk car?
While you may think your beat-up car has turned over one too many times, there’s no single definition of what makes a car “junk” Your car may qualify as a junk car if it:
Is parked permanently in one spot
Needs significant car repairs
that are priced higher than the car’s value Will resell for less than $500
Is too old for the road such that it endangers the driver and passengers
Essentially, if your car has become nonoperational, inoperable, and has started burning a hole in your pocket, then you’re likely looking at a qualifying junk car. Selling it as such is probably your best option.
How to sell a junk car
It’s not always easy to go out and sell a junk vehicle. Follow this checklist to prepare for the sale and get the most financial mileage out of your old jalopy.
1. Collect important vehicle documents. If you’re selling your entire car in the state of California, most businesses require a certificate of title. If you can’t locate it, you can replace your lost car title
at your local DMV for a duplicate copy. You’ll also need a valid smog certification and odometer reading for a private sale (if the vehicle is less than 10 years old). 2. Search for a reputed scrapyard or private buyer. Check out the salvage yards available in your area. Make sure your pick is licensed and uses a certified scale to protect yourself from scammers. You can also look for an individual to buy your junk car by checking your local newspaper listings and Craigslist.
3. Tidy up your car. You don’t have to make it sparkle, but give the car a once-over: wipe down surfaces inside the car and vacuum the upholstery. Check the trunk, glove compartment, and backs of seats for any personal items that need to be removed.
4. Don’t forget the license plates. Tags typically stay with the vehicle in California. If your California license plates are personalized, you may remove them and have them transferred to a new vehicle at the DMV.
5. Remove valuable components. New tires, stereo systems, and GPS are a few items that you may want to use in your new vehicle or put up for individual resale. Just be sure to turn the vehicle over to its new owner in the same condition as described in your quote estimate.
6. Complete the sale. Sign the title and bill of sale to officially transfer the title
to the new owner. 7. Cancel your insurance. Make sure you update your insurance after selling your vehicle. Jerry
can help you find customized insurance quotes quickly and effortlessly. Where to sell a junk car in San Francisco
You may not want to go through the hassle of finding and privately selling your junk car, but not all cash for junk car businesses in San Francisco are safe. Here are a few reputable locations in the San Fran area to rev you up for the sale!
Junk Cars for Cash Oakland
Address: San Francisco Bay Area, California
Phone number: (510) 423-3808
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating: Not accredited
Junk Cars for Cash Oakland
will help you get the best value out of your car without any towing fees or paperwork. Call or get an online offer for your car in San Francisco—just by describing it over the phone!Bay Area We Buy Cars
Address: Bay Area, California
Phone number: (415) 853-4505
BBB Rating: Not accredited
Bay Area We Buy Cars
works out the logistics for all stages of buying, from arranging a pick up to paying out competitive cash offers for any vehicle in any condition in the Bay Area. Fill out a quick offer form online or call to get the ball rolling on your junk car for cash sale. Ajax Auto Dismantlers Inc.
Address: 2895 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone number: (415) 821-3100
BBB Rating: Not accredited
For friendly, local service, look no further than Ajax Auto Dismantlers, Inc
. This business specializes in cash-for-junk cars in any condition. Call for more information about junking your car in San Francisco. IAA East Bay
Address: 2780 Willow Pass Rd, Bay Point, CA 94565
Phone number: (925) 458-7610
Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc.
is a national company with over 150 locations across the USA. The East Bay location
will auction off or buy your junk car with cash. Call for more information, or use the online price guide for an instant offer. How to find affordable car insurance in San Francisco
Getting a junk car off your hands doesn’t have to be a hassle…neither does finding affordable car insurance. Use Jerry
, the best insurance app in the biz! Jerry is a trustworthy insurance comparison app
—when you sign up, Jerry cross-analyzes its database of over 50 leading insurance companies to find you the best deal on your preferred coverage. What’s more? The app saves its users nearly $900 on car insurance every year! After finalizing your junk car sale, have Jerry hook you up with the best affordable policy for your new car. It’s quick, easy, and free to sign up!
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was easy to use, and they saved me a lot of money on my truck. I would definitely recommend them.” —Johannes T.