You can junk a car with fire damage. Junkyards, scrap yards, and junk car buyers purchase fire-damaged vehicles for parts and scrap metal.
How fire damage affects what your car is worth:
| Fire Extent | Description | Value Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Engine fire only | Damage limited to engine compartment | Moderate; interior and rear components may be salvageable |
| Interior fire | Cabin burned, exterior and mechanical may survive | Moderate; drivetrain and body panels may have value |
| Total burn | Entire vehicle destroyed by fire | Lowest; mostly scrap metal value only |
Parts that may survive a fire:
- Wheels and tires (if not melted)
- Transmission (if fire was in cabin or front)
- Rear axle and differential
- Unburned body panels
- Catalytic converter (metal survives fire)
- Frame and structural metal
Fire-damaged cars typically receive a salvage or junk title. The extent of damage determines whether buyers want the vehicle for parts or scrap metal only.
When selling a fire-damaged vehicle, describe what burned and what remains intact. Services that buy junk cars for cash can evaluate the damage and provide an offer based on salvageable components and scrap weight.