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Guide

What Documents Do You Need to Sell a Junk Car?

Finding a buyer for your used car isn’t hard, but choosing the method that fits your goals can be. Here are the fastest ways to sell your used vehicle without sacrificing what matters most to you.
Junk My Auto Team
February 18, 2026
2 minutes read

If you've got a junk car sitting in your driveway, you might be wondering what it takes to actually sell it. The good news: the process is simpler than most people think. But having the right documents ready before you call will speed everything up significantly.

Here's a straightforward breakdown of what you'll need β€” and what to do if you're missing something.

1. The Car Title

The title is the most important document you'll need. It proves you legally own the vehicle and gives you the right to sell it. When you call us, the first thing we'll ask about is whether you have the title.

πŸ’‘ Quick tipIf you've lost your title, don't panic β€” you can get a replacement from your state's DMV. The process varies by state but usually takes a few days and costs under $20.

Your title should show your name as the registered owner. If the car is under a spouse's name or a deceased relative's name, there are additional steps involved β€” give us a call and we'll walk you through it.

2. A Valid Photo ID

You'll need to show a government-issued photo ID when the driver comes to pick up your car. This is required to verify your identity matches the title. A driver's license or state ID works perfectly.

3. Vehicle Registration (Helpful but Not Always Required)

Your vehicle registration helps confirm the car's VIN and ownership history. While it's not always strictly required, having it on hand can speed up the process and avoid any confusion.

What if my registration is expired?

That's totally fine. An expired registration is still useful as a reference document β€” we're not concerned about whether the car is currently road legal, just that the ownership information matches up.

4. Keys to the Vehicle

If you have the keys, great β€” hand them over to the driver on pickup day. If you've lost the keys, let us know in advance. We can still take the vehicle in most cases, though it may affect the offer slightly depending on the car.

What If I'm Missing the Title?

This is the most common question we get. Here's what you can do:

  • Apply for a duplicate title at your state DMV β€” usually takes 3–7 business days
  • Check online β€” many states now offer same-day digital title replacement
  • Call us first β€” in some states and situations, we can work with a bill of sale and other documentation instead

Every situation is a little different. If you're not sure whether you have everything you need, just give us a call and we'll figure it out together β€” no pressure, no obligation.

Ready to Sell?

Once you've got your documents together, the rest is easy. Call us, get a quote in about 2 minutes, schedule a free pickup, and get paid on the spot. That's it.

We buy cars in any condition, anywhere β€” running or not. And we handle all the towing at no cost to you.

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Done Reading? Time to Get Paid.

One quick call is all it takes. Free towing, no paperwork hassle, cash on pickup.
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