Every car will end up somewhere – whether it is in a driveway or a landfill, it will have a destination in the end.

We like to think of car sales a process that sees one person transfer ownership of a vehicle to another – meaning the recipient gets a great vehicle they can drive with confidence, complete with all the legal paperwork they need to use it.

But this isn’t always the case. There’s also the concept of a junk car – a vehicle that is past its prime and has some serious problems. It can still be sold. Some people will pay good money for junk cars. They can be stripped down for parts, melted down for their core materials, or even used for scenery.

Whatever the purpose they’re desired for, junk cars can still fetch some money. You may be wondering how to sell this type of vehicle, especially if you don’t have a registration – is it even possible?

Know Your Options: They May Be Limited

Full disclosure – it is possible to sell a vehicle without a registration. Junk cars are the exception to the rule that cars must have a registration in order to be sold.

But even for junk cars, there are limited options. It is possible, but highly difficult, to find a buyer or trader willing to make a deal with you if you don’t have a registration. This means you’ll have to look far and wide to find your options, and you’ll likely have less bargaining power than you’d like due to your limited choices.

The next thing you should do is understand your local laws about junk cars. In some states, it is illegal to even have a vehicle on your property if it isn’t registered. Some areas also frown on junk cars, as they can drag down property values and also prove harmful to the environment.

If you don’t have the registration, you’re not completely out of luck. You can have the title, which is sometimes enough. The registration simply guarantees that any fees or taxes due on the vehicle have been paid, whereas the title establishes legal ownership.

If you have the title, you’re often okay depending on the state you’re in. But let’s delve into the question a little deeper – what if you don’t have the title or the registration. Are you sure you own the vehicle? Yes? Then let’s explore the options you have moving forward.

How to Get Appropriate Paperwork to Sell Your Junker

When you have a junk car and no registration, you just need the title. But if you don’t have that either, you may need to pay a visit to your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Even if your junk car isn’t in good enough shape to be driven to the DMV, you can get it towed there in order to get the paperwork you need. Once you have the necessary paperwork, you can find more options for having your junk car bought.

Different junkyards will have different standards for the type of paperwork they require. So before you make your trip to the DMV or call your local tow company to get you there, it is a good idea to call ahead and ask potential buyers exactly what it is they need.

There are also some unique qualifications a vehicle may need to meet before it isn’t legally required to have a title or registration. These characteristics can include the age of the car, its worth, or a combination of both.

Understanding what you have to have requires you to understand your local laws and the policies of your local car buyers.

The Benefits of Selling Your Junk Car

When you are able to sell your junk car, you’re making a good decision. It is easy to let junk cars sit around and continue rusting instead of trying to sell them – but taking the initiative has its benefits.

Not only will you be able to get some money or trade-in credit toward a new vehicle, but you’ll be doing a good service for the environment. Junk cars have a tendency to pollute the environment around them, attract wildlife, and drive down property values.

If you let a junk car sit around, you’re not just wasting money – you’re indirectly causing harm to the ecosystem. Even without a registration, you can sell your junk car and get a reward for doing so.