Junk car buyers do buy abandoned vehicles, but only if the seller has legal ownership or proper documentation to prove the right to sell.
If you own the property where a vehicle was abandoned, you cannot legally sell the car until you obtain a title through your state’s abandoned vehicle process. Simply having the car on your land does not make you the legal owner. Selling a vehicle without ownership documents exposes both you and the buyer to legal liability.
Once you have obtained an abandoned vehicle title, you can sell to any junk car buyer, junkyard, or scrap yard just like any other vehicle. The title proves ownership and allows legal transfer.
Some junk car buyers and salvage yards may help with abandoned vehicles by:
- Providing guidance on your state’s title process
- Purchasing the vehicle after you complete the title transfer
- Removing the vehicle for free while you handle the paperwork (in some cases)
If you have an abandoned car you want removed but do not want to go through the title process, contact your local municipality. Many cities and counties offer abandoned vehicle removal programs that tow and dispose of the car at no cost to property owners. If you do obtain the title, check how much you can get for a junk car in your area.