How to Get Cash for Junk Cars in Portland

You can sell a junk car in Portland at A-1 Light Truck Parts, Car Auto Salvage, or a number of online towing and junking organizations.
Written by Joshua Levy
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
If you’re looking to get cash for a junk car in Portland, you’ll need to get your papers in order and do a little research on the best companies to use. A few highly rated options include A-1 Light Truck Parts, Car Auto Salvage, Junk Car Medics, and The Clunker Junker. 
Whether your car stopped working or you’re stuck with an abandoned vehicle, selling your junk car is an easy way to make some quick cash. But if you want to get the most out of the sale, you’ll need to learn more about the junking process.
To help,
Jerry
, the
car insurance
super app, has put together this guide on everything you need to know about where to sell junk cars in Portland—and how to save on your
Portland insurance costs
!
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What qualifies as a junk car?

Cars are no small purchase, so luckily, most are built to last. But after years of use, even a great car will hit its breaking point. That said, there isn’t a clear definition of a “junk car,” so it can be hard to pinpoint exactly what qualifies as junk.
Here are some of the biggest signs your car has officially become a junk car:
  • Consistently doesn’t work
  • Costs more to repair than it’s worth
  • Can’t easily be moved from its location
While none of these characteristics alone means your car is junk, noticing one or more of these signs could indicate that your car’s reached the end of its time on the road. As a general rule, you should consider junking your car when it’s stopped being helpful as a vehicle.

How to sell a junk car

Getting rid of a junk car is a process, and it might be trickier than you think. Luckily, you can make the junking process as easy as possible by staying organized and approaching it one step at a time.
1. Gather your papers. Selling your car to a junkyard is like selling it to another person, so you’ll need to provide them with your
car’s title
. If you don’t have it anymore, you may need to head to the DMV for a
replacement title
2. Find a junkyard. It’s best to look around for the most reputable junkyard you can find and to get quotes from multiple, in case one is willing to pay you significantly more. Learning your options is in your best interest.
3. Clean your car. If you leave any items in your car, you probably won’t see them again after the salvage company takes your car. To make sure you don’t lose anything valuable, go through the car and clean out any objects you’ve left behind.  
4. Destroy the license plates. While your license plates will likely be destroyed in the junking process, your
Oregon license plate
is your responsibility, so it's best if you destroy or dispose of it yourself. Make sure to bend the plate, recycle it, or turn it into your DMV before handing over your car.
5. Take out valuable parts. You may be able to get more money for your car by selling valuable pieces individually. It isn’t a required step, but it’s a good way to optimize your vehicle’s value.
6. Transfer your title. Make sure you officially transfer your title to the salvage yard. Since this is a legal step in junking your car, be wary of any company that doesn’t ask you to transfer your title.
7. Cancel your car insurance. Leaving your
car insurance
policy active after your car has been scrapped is an unfortunate way to waste hundreds of dollars. Remember to cancel your policy as soon as the junkyard takes your car.

Where to sell a junk car in Portland

Finding the right junkyard is all about doing the research. Each company may offer you a different amount for your car, and the process will vary slightly depending on their policies. That said, comparing prices and digging into your options can help you make the most of your junk car.
Here are a few of the top options for junking a car in Portland:

A-1 Light Truck Parts

Address: 9609 N Columbia Boulevard, Portland, OR 97203
Phone number: (631) 445-1848
BBB rating: A+ 
While most junkyards scrap your car for parts,
A-1 Light Truck Parts
focuses largely on the value of your car’s individual components. As a result, you may get more money for an older car with good parts but less for a base-level scrap vehicle.

Cash Auto Salvage

Address: Rochester, NY 14445
Phone number: (855) 922-3095
BBB rating: A+ 
Cash Auto Salvage
offers service for people across the country and has a relatively intuitive website. All you need to do is answer a few questions about your car, review the offer, and schedule a pickup date for your junk car.

Junk Car Medics

Address: P.O. Box 64002, Rochester, NY 14624
Phone number: (855) 587-0227
BBB rating: A+ 
When you junk a car with
Junk Car Medics
, you get free towing, good prices, and an instant valuation. Once you accept their offer, you can even expect service within one to two days.

The Clunker Junker

Address: Chicago, IL 60007
Phone number: (888) 383-4181
BBB rating: A+ 
The big appeal of using
The Clunker Junker
for your junk car is that they pay you on the spot. While other companies may wire you the money or send you a check, The Clunker Junker will pay you in person when they come to tow your car.
MORE: How to sell a junk car for cash

How to find affordable car insurance in Portland

You can probably make a little money by selling your old car, but users save an average of over $800 a year when they start saving with
Jerry
.
Just download our
trustworthy super app
, answer a few questions, and let Jerry scan customized car insurance quotes from over 50 top providers, delivering the best deals straight to your phone. 
When you find a quote you like, Jerry can help you switch insurance and even help cancel your old policy—no paperwork, phone calls, or headaches required.
Jerry
is the future of car insurance! I downloaded the app, entered the information, picked my insurance rate, and paid my fee. I even switched insurance providers easily! Jerry saved me $182/month so quickly!” —Paulina F.
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