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How do I buy a car from a junkyard?
My car was totaled recently and I can't afford to buy a brand new one. I have some basic mechanic skills, and I've heard that people can buy cars from junkyards for less—so how can I buy a car from a junkyard?
Emily Maracle · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
To buy a car from a junkyard, there are a few things you’ll need to do:
- Confirm that the vehicles you are looking at have titles: This ensures you’re able to get the car insured and back on the road eventually.
- Be sure the junkyard sells entire vehicles: Some junkyards have full cars but only sell individual parts.
If the junkyard does offer used vehicles: Consider bringing a mechanic or someone familiar with cars with you. While some vehicles may only need minor repairs, having an expert can be beneficial—that way you can make sure you’re not taking on too much.
Keep in mind: If you find a vehicle that you like with a mechanic’s stamp of approval, you’ll also want to find out what the vehicle’s title status is and how to register it with the DMV in your state. Most junkyard vehicles will have a
salvage title
, which can make it more difficult to register with the state, as salvage vehicles often require repairs or modifications before they can be considered road-ready.If cost is a concern, you’ll also want to consider
car insurance
rates: Car insurance can actually cost more on salvage vehicles, and some companies may not insure them. Before purchasing the vehicle, you want to be sure you can afford it. (You can also try using Jerry
—we’ll get you quotes from different top-of-the-line providers so that you can choose the amount of coverage that works best for you!)View full answer
- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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