The Most Cash For Cars in California
How does it work?
Get A Quote ➡
Start selling your vehicle in California by entering some basic details and we'll give you an instant and guaranteed offer.
Schedule Pickup ➡
Schedule a pickup time with your local carrier. We can't guarantee same day pickup, but most cars are picked up within 1 to 3 business days.
Get Paid ✔
Your local car buyer or carrier will pay you by cash or check on the spot and tow the vehicle away free of charge! 🎉 Hooray!
Looking for the best cash for cars in California? Look no further than The Clunker Junker!
Our car removal team buy and picks up junk cars across the state of California, paying cash for cars and typically picking up within one to three business days. Whether you’re in Napa Valley, the Anza-Borrego Desert, or any part of this beautiful and bright state, our car buyers in California will drive to wherever your vehicle is located to pick it up free of charge. That’s the Clunker Junker promise.
The Golden State might be the only state where you’ll never find a dance floor empty, but you’ll be lucky if you can find a single junkyard within ten miles that gives you a decent offer for your car. Founded by enterprising gold diggers during the gold rush, Californians have a Midas touch. We want to put your own gold rush in your pocket by paying cash for cars in California
Don’t settle for less when you can work with the best junk car buyers in California. Our pickups are always free and easy, plus there’s no hidden costs or fees for using our service. Payment is typically done in the form of cash or a check right there on the spot, and we often have vehicles picked up on the same day they are submitted.
Get Paid Stone-Cold Cash for Cars in California
At the Clunker Junker, we care about our customers, which is why we pride ourselves on giving you a fair price and buying cars for cash even if it’s in terrible condition, or you don’t have the title. If you’re looking for cash for cars in California, you’ve found the right buyer. Sell your car in California today by filling in our simple form, agreeing to our reasonable cash offer and arranging a time for our experienced car removal team to pick up your vehicle free of charge. What’s not to love?
We Buy Junk Cars in California and Pay You Handsomely
California Auto salvage yards can’t compete with our offers and the convenience of selling your car to the Clunker Junker. We pay top dollar for cars so that you can earn a big paycheck and get that car out of your garage. We don’t want you to drive up and down Highway 1 looking for a dealer, which is why our team picks up the vehicle free of charge.
See everything that The Golden State has to offer, not just asphalt. Fill out our quote form on our homepage today and find out how much cash you could be leaving in your garage to collect dust and take up space.
California Cash For Cars By The Numbers
We buy cars. A lot of cars.
Eric's Expert Take
Eric is our founder and CEO and has nearly 15 years of experience buying and selling used and junk cars in the state of California. He is also a data nerd with a finger on the pulse of the cash for cars industry and salvage vehicle values.
I’m Eric with The Clunker Junker, and I’ve been going over what we’ve been paying for cars in California over the last month. Right now, we’re averaging about $665 per vehicle in the state. Smaller cars, like a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic, usually come in a bit lower at around $614. On the high end, pickup trucks such as a Ford F-150 or Chevy Silverado are bringing in the strongest offers, averaging about $953. SUVs and crossovers like a Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR‑V fall in the middle at roughly $771, which reflects the strong demand for practical family and commuter vehicles.
Over the last 30 days, The Clunker Junker has purchased around 67,946 vehicles and paid out over $50 million in cash to our customers. In California, the Honda Accord has been our most frequently purchased vehicle. The Accord is a midsize sedan, and as they age, they often develop issues like transmission problems, oil leaks, worn suspension parts, and electrical glitches. When those kinds of repairs start stacking up, the cost can easily climb into the thousands, which often makes more sense to sell the car to a cash-for-cars service like us instead of dumping money into a vehicle that may still have other problems right around the corner.
From a pricing standpoint, California has been very steady. Over the past month, average offers have only shifted by about -1.5%, which is a very small change. We’re basically in the same range we were a year ago, and I don’t see any major swings coming in the immediate future. A flat, predictable market like this is actually a good time to sell your car because you’re not gambling on sudden drops in value. I’ll keep tracking the numbers and let you know if I start to see any bigger moves in used and junk car prices.
How to sign your California car title
We have put together a simple guide and example for how to sign your California title when you are selling your vehicle. If there are multiple owners listed on the title, they must all sign the title unless the names are separated with "OR".
- First, sign your name on the front of the title on line "1a" (Signature of registered owner). If there is a second owner, they should sign on line 1b
Always sign in pen on the seller line and never sign in the dealer section. - If your vehicle is less than 10 years old, sign your name in the odometer section at the bottom, where it reads "Transferor/Seller Signature".
Be sure you don't sign on the lien holder line - Leave the back of the title blank
How to get a duplicate California title
The process for getting a duplicate or replacement California title is fairly simple. If the vehicle was last titled in a state other than California you must apply for a duplicate title in the previous state. The registered owner should do the following:
- Fill out form REG227 Application for Duplicate Title.
- Either bring your duplicate title application to your local California DMV, or mail your application to the CA division of motor vehicles at:
Department of Motor Vehicles Registration Operations PO Box 942869 MS E169 Sacramento, California 94269-0001 - The fee for a replacement California title is $21.00. Processing time is between 15 and 30 business days. You can request an expedited title if needed.
How to get rid of an abandoned vehicle in California
Getting rid of an abandoned vehicle in California can be a difficult process. Unfortunately, you cannot just sell any junk car that ends up on your property if you do not own it. You'll need to follow the California abandoned vehicle removal procedures. We have given a general overview of what that entails below.
You can read more about selling an abandoned vehicle in California
- First, you must attempt to locate the owner of the vehicle using the VIN 17-digit number.
The person or entity in possession of the motor vehicle must send a 10-day Notice of Intention to Abate to the owner and/or lienholder or record via certified mail. - At least 72 hours before the vehicle is removed, a peace officer or an authorized public agency employee must affix a distinctive notice on the vehicle. The vehicle will be removed by the public office.
- An abandoned low value vehicle disposed by abandonment may not be reconstructed or made operable unless it qualifies for Horseless Carriage or Historical Vehicle license plates.
Frequently Asked Questions in California
Can you buy my car without the title in California?
In some cases, yes! In lieu of title or pink slip, you will need to be able to present a registration that is not more than one year expired that matches your photo ID. You may also be asked to sign additional power of attorney or affidavit documents to complete the sale. Also note that offers for vehicles with no title are often significantly lower than those with a valid title.
What if my title doesn’t look like the one pictured?
California often changes their title documents from year to year. If you have questions about your specific title, please contact your California DMV.
Do I need to turn in my license plates?
Yes, unless you are transferring the plates to a new vehicle. You can return the plates to your local DMV office.
What should I do about my auto insurance?
You will need to notify your auto insurance company that you have sold the vehicle, so they can either cancel your policy if the vehicle was sold, or transfer/renew the policy on your new vehicle.
Is there anything else I need to do?
Fill out form REG139 Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability and submit it to the department of motor vehicles within five calendar days.
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