Some things don’t last forever and, unfortunately, cars are one of those things. If you’ve got a broken-down Camry sitting in your driveway or a rusted-out Ford taking up space in your garage, it might be time to send them off to greener pastures—and make a little bit of cash at the same time.

Here with some practical tips on how to sell your junk car is the

car insurance

expert app and broker

Jerry

! Follow this guide on selling your junk car and check out some suggestions for auto salvagers in Oakland.

And before we wrap up, we'll even share how to put more money in your pocket by scoring lower

Oakland car insurance costs

for your remaining vehicle (or vehicles!).

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What qualifies as a junk car?

Even though it can be hard to label your beloved high school beater as a junk car, knowing that your car is past its best driving days is an important step to moving on. Cars can definitely have sentimental value, but if your totaled

Chevrolet

is becoming more of a fixture in your driveway than a functioning vehicle, it might be time to say goodbye.

It can be tricky knowing if a new-looking vehicle is a “junk car.” Generally, you can tell if a car is junk if it:

Doesn’t run or has trouble starting

Has a resale value of under $500

Hasn’t been moved in a long time

Needs repairs that would cost more than the car’s value

Once you’ve decided that your vehicle is a junk car, you can take the next step: finding a buyer.

MORE:

How to insure a car with a salvage title

How to sell a junk car

Your junk car may not seem to have a lot of value, but salvage yards, auto recyclers, and individual buyers are willing to pay treasure for your trash. To prepare for and secure a great sale, follow the steps below:

1. Gather the car’s documents, including its title. A car’s

certificate of title

is a must-have for some buyers—and having one can get you a better sale price. If you’ve misplaced it or if it’s been destroyed, don’t panic. You can

replace the lost title

at your local DMV.

2. Choose an auto salvage company or other buyer. Salvage yards are a good place to start looking for a buyer for your junk car—just check that they’re properly licensed and use a certified scale first. Individual buyers can be found using Craigslist or other online listings.

3. Clean and empty out the car. Before the buyer arrives to cart your junk car away, give the interior of the car a thorough clean and check for any personal items. Look in the glove compartment, under the seats, and in the doors for anything that may have gotten missed.

4. Remove the license plates and non-metal components (if required). In California, the license plates generally stay with the vehicle, but there are cases where you can either keep the plates or turn them in to the DMV. Check with your local office to see which option applies to you. Some salvage yards will not accept non-metal components, so you may have to remove parts of the car’s interior before the sale can be completed.

5. Keep functioning parts. You can make a little extra cash by selling parts of your car separately.

6. Sign over the title. Whoever you end up selling to, you’ll need to sign over the car’s title to the new owner. Once you’ve done this—and have gotten paid for your junk car—the sale will be complete!

7. Cancel your insurance. Don’t forget to cancel the junk car’s insurance! If you need to sign up for new insurance on a different vehicle,

Jerry

can set you up with an affordable rate in no time!

MORE: How to sell a junk car for cash

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Where to sell a junk car in Oakland

Googling “where to sell my junk car in Oakland” will bring up a lot of results—but which auto salvage company should you choose? You can usually tell if a company is legit by looking at reviews, visiting their website, or checking their BBB rating. Here are a few companies to start with.

Wheelzy

Address: Oakland, CA

Phone number: (855) 294-0940

BBB rating: Not rated

Wheelzy

is an online junk car buyer operating across America. They accept cars in any condition and provide free towing at a time that works for you—they’ll also take care of signing over the car’s title and pay you on the spot! Wheelzy also has a recycling policy where they’ll reuse and redistribute car parts in a way that doesn’t add more waste to landfills.

SellMax

Address: Oakland, CA 94601

Phone number: (510) 254-3400

BBB rating: Not rated

SellMax

isn’t picky when it comes to buying junk cars! A nationwide company, they offer an average of $614 for cars in Oakland and will pay more for cars that still run. You only need proof of ownership to sell a junk vehicle to SellMax—so long as there isn’t

a lien on your car

IAA

Address: 6700 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont, CA 94538

Phone number: 510-668-1665

BBB rating: A+

Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc.

will buy or auction your junk car for cash! As a large national company, IAA has a number of options for selling your junk car depending on your timeline, budget, and other needs.

Junk Cars for Cash Oakland

Address: Oakland, CA

Phone number: (510) 423-3808

BBB rating: Not rated

Junk Cars for Cash Oakland

is part of a larger company serving the greater California area. They provide online quotes, same-day pickup, and cash for your junk car, no matter its condition. Also an auto recycler, Junk Cars for Cash Oakland will need the car’s title and proof of ownership to confirm the sale.

MORE:

Here’s how to save money on car expenses

How to find affordable car insurance in Oakland

Now that you’ve gotten rid of your junk car, you have more room—and a bit of extra funds—to finally purchase that new SUV you’ve been eyeing! To find the best rates on your car insurance, use the Jerry app!

A licensed broker,

Jerry

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