How to Get Cash for Junk Cars in Pittsburgh

Mark 1 Auto Sales, Dravosburg Auto Parts and Recyclers, Rusty Hook Salvage, and the Clunker Junker will haul away your junk car in the Pittsburgh area.
Written by Jasmine Kanter
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
If you’re wondering where to sell a junk car in Pittsburgh, these four local junkyards will help you clear your driveway (and leave you with some cash): Mark 1 Auto Sales, Dravosburg Auto Parts and Recyclers, Rusty Hook Salvage, and the Clunker Junker.
The transmission of your old
Ford F-150
might have finally given out, but just because your truck doesn’t start anymore doesn’t mean it’s worthless. Working parts, scrap metal, and electrical components all have value to junk and salvage yards. So why not give them a call? 
There’s no sense in letting a junk car gather dust in your driveway when you could trade it for cash in your wallet. To get the process started,
Jerry
, the
car insurance
expert and super app, is here with everything you need to know about how to get cash for junk cars in Pittsburgh—and how to save on your
Pittsburgh insurance costs
for any cars that are still running. 
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What qualifies as a junk car?

Beauty—and utility—might be in the eye of the beholder, but there are a few ways you can tell a junk car apart from a useful vehicle. Consider the following:
  • Does it still run?
  • Does it have a resale value of over $500?
  • Has it been moved at all in the past few years?
  • Will necessary repairs total less than the car’s value?
  • Is it rare or collectible and is the body in decent shape?
If your answer to all of these questions is no, then you’ve probably got a junk car on your hands. 
Of course, many people have made a hobby out of fixing up old clunkers. But you have to be honest about whether or not you have the time and funds to complete such a project. If looking at the car simply makes you wish you had more driveway space, it’s probably better to sell it.

How to sell a junk car

When selling a junk car, your top two concerns should be finding a trustworthy service and getting a reasonable price. Here’s how to do it:
1. Find your car’s documents. Getting your hands on the
title
doesn’t just make the process faster and easier, it can also net you a better sales price. That being said, you also have the option of
replacing the lost title
at the DMV or finding a junkyard that accepts a titleless car.
2. Decide whether to sell or donate your car. If you have the time and your car still has some value, you could sell it to an individual through Craigslist or your local classifieds. Otherwise, a junk or salvage yard is your best bet. Of course, if you need some good karma, you could always
donate your car
to a local charity instead.
3. Do a little research. If you plan to make a private sale, make sure you’re familiar with title transfers in Pennsylvania. If you donate your car, make sure it’s to a
registered charity
. If you sell to a junkyard, opt for a licensed brick-and-mortar location. Following these tips will help you avoid scammers and middlemen.
4. Clear out the car. Check first for any personal items in the trunk, glove box, and corners of the vehicle. Maybe you’ll find that earring you lost! Then, give it a quick vacuum and once over with a damp cloth. When it comes to sales, it pays to make a good first impression—literally! 
5. Remove the license plates. PennDOT asks drivers to remove their plates and
send them to the bureau
. In this case, removing all your ties to an old vehicle will help protect you from any misuse. 
6. Remove working components. An auto parts recycler will probably reduce the car’s sales price if you remove any working parts yourself, but a scrapyard might not care. A working battery, exhaust, transmission, or stereo system are all worth money to the right buyer.
7. Complete the paperwork. However you get rid of your car, you’ll need to complete a
title transfer
to place it in the new owner’s name. You should always receive a copy of the signed papers on the spot. Be wary of anyone who pressures you to ignore the paperwork—scammers can send you extra fees, tickets, or violations if your name remains on the car.
8. Cancel your car insurance. If your junk car is covered by a car insurance policy, make sure you call and drop it from your policy. If it's the only car you had insured, you can
cancel your car insurance
policy altogether, but if you still have a car you're driving, you'll just want to amend your policy.
MORE: How to sell a junk car for cash
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Where to sell a junk car in Pittsburgh

If you’ve chosen to sell your car directly to a junkyard, we’ve found a few places to help you get started. Call if you’re interested in doing some comparison shopping—after all, that’s usually how to get the best deal!

Mark 1 Auto Sales

Address:1448 Babcock Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15209
Phone number: (412) 758-2853

BBB rating: B- (unaccredited)

Mark 1 Auto Sales
is a licensed junkyard and a licensed notary, meaning they can complete and certify your paperwork. They buy all makes and models, in addition to offering free towing and cash on the spot.

Dravosburg Auto Parts and Recyclers

Address: 228 Washington Avenue, Dravosburg, PA 15034
Phone number: (412) 469-3365 or (412) 469-3366
BBB rating: A+ (accredited)
Established in 1978,
Dravosburg Auto Parts and Recyclers
is a long-running family business. They’re licensed, certified, and insured, and they’ll pick up your clunker themselves.

Rusty Hook Auto Salvage

Address: 3015 Mount Troy Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Phone number: (412) 657-9522
BBB rating: A (unaccredited)
Make a phone call to get a quote from
Rusty Hook Auto Salvage
, a well-reviewed local business. Happy customers mention their offers are accurate and they also have many hard-to-find car parts for sale.

The Clunker Junker

Address: Pittsburgh, PA 15106
Phone number: (888) 383-4181
BBB rating: A+ (accredited)
The Clunker Junker
is a national franchise based in Florida. Per their streamlined online quote process, they will offer up to $10,000 for operational cars.

How to find affordable car insurance in Pittsburgh

Comparison shopping won’t just score you more money when selling a car, it can also save you money on
car insurance
! And
Jerry
is the quickest and easiest way to browse competitive insurance quotes.
Jerry is a personal insurance broker that lives in your pocket. But don’t worry about buying tiny office furniture: Jerry is a
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. Once you download Jerry, just answer a handful of questions that will take you roughly 45 seconds to complete, and you’ll immediately get quotes for coverage similar to your current plan. 
The best part? Jerry users save over $800 per year on car insurance! Check us out today to see how easy it is to find
cheap car insurance in Pennsylvania
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