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How to Sell?

How to Get Cash for Junk Cars? [3 Best Companies]

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Written by: Michael Becker
Last Updated:

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Quick Answer

To easily sell your non-functional vehicle, submit an online quote through Peddle, which will coordinate free vehicle collection and provide immediate payment upon pickup.

Your car’s cash value is influenced by its brand, model, production year, and accumulated mileage. Expected offers usually fall between $400 and $2,000.

Yet, it’s beneficial to weigh options such as Wheelzy and CarBrain, as they occasionally propose more competitive offers than Peddle, which could result in a more profitable deal for you.

Best for Older & Damaged Cars

Peddle logo

Buys used, damaged or junk cars

Free tow and no hidden fees

Pays by ACH trasfer or check

Top Pick for Junk Cars

Wheelzy logo

Free, no-obligation cash offers

Offers free paperwork service

Pays on the spot upon pick up

Highly Rated by Customers

CarBrain logo

Excellent customer service ratings

Honors guaranteed offer for 7 days

Can pick up a car within 48 hours

Great for Low-Mileage Cars

Carvana logo

Gives a real offer in 2 minutes

100% hassle-free online process

Free car’s Value Tracker available

Companies that Pay Cash for Junk Cars

1. Peddle


Peddle Summary

  • Sell used, damaged or junk car nationwide
  • Free towing within 48 hours after offer
  • Receive payment upon car collection
  • Get free online quote – offer valid 7 days
  • Instant quote available on (855) 925 4302
  • No obligation to accept the offer

Peddle is one of the major “cash for junk cars” businesses that’s available across the United States. 

What’s good about Peddle is that it only takes a few minutes to submit your online application and you can get rid of your junk car within 48 hours after receiving an offer from them.

The company buys all types of cars in all conditions, including:

  • Cars with water damage
  • Non-running cars
  • Accident-damaged cars
  • Older vehicles
  • Total junk cars

2. Wheelzy


Wheelzy Summary

  • Service is completely free – no hidden fees
  • Get offer in minutes – (855) 510-1108
  • Free towing of your car from your location
  • Instant payment via cash or check
  • Possible to negotiate the offer
  • Available nationwide (50 states)

Wheelzy will buy your junk car within a few minutes, totally hassle-free. All you need to do to sell your used vehicle to Wheelzy is to fill out an online application.

Simply enter your VIN, and answer basic questions about the car and its current condition. Wheelzy representative will contact you with a quote and if you are satisfied with it you’ll need to schedule the pick-up date with the Wheelzy agent.

Wheelzy will pick up your junk car for free, leaving you with cash or a check.

Here’s the list of details you’ll need to provide through the online application:

  • Make and model of your car
  • Vehicle specifications
  • Mileage
  • Year of manufacturing
  • The current condition – what damage does it have

It’s worth mentioning that 85% of customers describe their experience with Wheelzy as “Excellent” (5 stars) and 11% as “Great” (4 stars) on Trustpilot.

3. CarBrain


CarBrain Summary

  • Call for a free quote – (844) 407-2200
  • Get cash for your car in under 48 hours
  • CarBrain buys cars in over 7 conditions
  • Up to 7 days to accept CarBrain’s offer
carbrain points

CarBrain is a nationwide car-buying company that will purchase your junk car, including damaged, non-running, and complete junk.

To get a quote for your junk car from CarBrain, you just need to fill out an application form online. The CarBrain representative will contact you within an hour with an offer that you can accept within 7 days or reject—no strings attached.

The good news is that CarBrain will tow your car for free within 24 to 48 hours of you accepting their deal.

Is Cash for Junk Cars a Real Thing?


You might already have heard the phrase “cash for junk cars” and if you’re wondering if this is a real thing, let me tell you – cash for junk cars is as real as it gets.

In fact, there are quite a few companies out there that would buy your junk car for a relatively good price. They make money by repurposing junk cars (more on that later).

Now, you might say, but I can sell my junk car to my local junkyard; why do I need to know about random companies?

You can definitely sell your car to a local junkyard, but the thing is, it involves more hassle. First, you need to go junkyard to junkyard to see what they have to offer for your vehicle, and most of the time, you’ll get quite a low price offer. Plus, you’ll have to manage the towing yourself, which might be a pricey service depending on where you live.

Having said this, let’s see how cash for junk cars services work.

How Do Cash for Junk Cars Services Work?


How Do Cash for Junk Cars Services Work

The way cash for car services work is extremely easy – they are literally there to make your life easier. Let’s review their procedures step-by-step.

  1. Submit a quick online application
  2. Accept the quote 
  3. Schedule the pick-up
  4. Exchange your junk for cash

Step 1: Submit a Quick Online Application

Most cash for junk car services are present online and allow you to fill out and submit an application through their websites.

So no matter which company you’ll choose, you’ll find an online application on their platform requiring you to fill in the following information:

  • Your name and contact information (so they can contact you with the quote)
  • The details of your car (make, model, year of manufacturing, its current condition)

Once you submit your application, the company will review it and contact you with the quote, which usually happens within a few hours at max.

You can discover 3 best companies that offer cash for junk cars later in this article

Step 2: Accept the Quote 

After the company contacts you with the quote, you’ll be given 3 choices:

  1. Either accept the offer right away
  2. Decline the offer right away
  3. Think about the offer and make a decision within 7 days

Step 3: Schedule the Pick-up

If you’ve decided to accept the offer, you should schedule the pick-up. The company will send agents to your driveway who will pick up your car.

What’s best, “cash for junk cars” services offer free towing, meaning you don’t have to worry about it or pay for it.

Step 4: Exchange Your Junk for Cash

At this final step, you’ll meet the company representative in your driveway to exchange your junk car for cash. 

You’ll hand your car keys and let them tow the car while the agent will hand you the check.

What Will Happen With My Old Car After I Sell It?


What Will Happen With My Old Car After I Sell It

“Cash for junk cars” companies usually buy junk vehicles in order to repurpose them. There are 3 main ways these companies use junk cars that aren’t good for daily use:

  1. If the frame and any salvageable parts are good to use, they gut the car to rebuild it and sell for profit. This is the reason why they offer you a fair price for your damaged and even junk car.
  2. The next thing they might do is reuse or sell the car parts that are still safe and good to use.
  3. Lastly, they can recycle the leftover parts of your junk car. Since car parts are made of different high-quality metals like steel and aluminum. That’s why those parts are usually heavy and “cash for junk cars” companies get a good deal to sell them in bulk to recycling companies.

How Much Can I Get for a Car Junk?


How much you’ll get for your junk car depends on a variety of factors, including:

  • The type of your vehicle – is it a car, SUV, van, or truck?
  • Year of manufacturing
  • Make and model
  • The current condition of the vehicle
  • Your current location

Generally speaking, depending on current market rates and the above-mentioned factors, you could get anywhere from a few hundred dollars to over $1,000 for your junk car.

For example, CarBrain, which is one of the largest companies that purchase junk cars, has recently purchased a 2013 Honda Accord for $1,775. The vehicle had collision damage in the front and while the engine could start, it wasn’t good for daily use.

What Do I Need to Junk My Car?


Paperwork need to sell your junk car:

  • Certified title of your vehicle – if you’ve lost it, the companies can help you get a duplicate of your title.
  • The title transfer notice, so you won’t be held liable for it in the future.

My Junk Car is Missing Parts, Can I Still Sell It?


Generally, “cash for junk cars” companies would accept cars with missing parts. However, it depends on what parts are missing.

For example, they won’t accept a car with a missing engine or transmission. Moreover, all cars must have at least 2 tires so they can tow them.

My Junk Car Doesn’t Drive, Can I Still Sell It?


The best part about selling your car to “cash for cars” services is that they accept non-running cars.

The companies will tow non-running cars for free, so you don’t have to pay for it.



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Michael Becker

Dollarbreak

About the author:

Michael Becker is a car enthusiast and expert who has been working in the automotive industry for over 15 years. He started his career as a salesperson at a local dealership, where he learned the ins and outs of the car market. Then he moved on to flipping cars for a profit.

Michael has also helped many of his relatives and friends to sell their cars, using his knowledge and skills to get them the best deals. He will guide you through the process and help you avoid the common pitfalls.

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