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.
Lately, I’ve been reviewing the offers we’ve made for vehicles across California, and here’s what’s happening: Right now, we’re paying an average of $692 per car in the state. If you have a smaller car, like a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic, the average offer drops slightly to about $642. On the other hand, pickup trucks such as Ford F-150s or Chevy Silverados are getting top dollar from us, averaging around $934. SUVs and crossovers—think Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4—fall in between, with an average payout of about $806.
Over the past month, The Clunker Junker has bought around 61,183 cars and paid out more than $40 million to sellers. That’s quite a few vehicles taken off driveways and put to better use! In California, the Honda Accord—a reliable and popular sedan—came up as the vehicle we buy most often. The Accord is known for good gas mileage and dependability, but after years on the road, they often run into issues like transmission problems, worn-out suspension, or electrical glitches. When repair bills stack up, it usually makes more sense—and puts more money in your pocket—to sell your older Accord instead of pouring more cash into fixing it.
From what I’m seeing in the market, used car prices in California have been pretty steady. Over the last month, prices have changed by just 0.1%, which isn’t much at all. This is very similar to where things stood this time last year, and I expect the market will stay stable for a while. This kind of steady market means it’s a great time to think about selling your car. If there are any shifts in trends or big changes coming up, I’ll be sure to keep you updated so you can make the best decision possible.
To sum it up, whether you have a small sedan like a Honda Civic, a tough pickup truck like a Chevy Silverado, or an SUV like a Toyota RAV4, now’s a good time to consider selling. The market’s steady, demand is strong, and we’re ready to make you a competitive offer. If you have any questions or just want to talk about your options, I’m always here to help!
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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