How selling your car to us works
From first question to cash in hand, here's every step, what you need, and how long it takes.
Get your offer
Tell us the year, make, model and condition, or start with your VIN. Your cash offer is good for 7 days.
Pick a pickup time
Choose when and where. Towing is free in all 50 states, and pickup is usually within 24 to 48 hours.
Get paid on the spot
The driver checks the car and pays you. Then you sign the title, hand over the keys and the car is loaded.
What to have ready
- The title, or tell us up front if it's lost
- A photo ID that matches the name on the title
- The keys, if you have them
- Your lender's payoff details, if there's a loan
- The plates, if your state has you keep or turn them in
Telling us about the car
You can start with the year, make and model, or with the VIN, which we decode to fill in the details. Then we ask about condition: whether it drives, any damage, the title status and whether you have keys. It takes about two minutes. If you'd rather talk, call (855) 497-1176.
Your offer
We price running cars on what they'll resell for and non-running cars on their parts and metal. The offer is good for 7 days, so you can compare it with other quotes. It holds at pickup as long as the car matches your description.
Free pickup
Choose a time and place. Pickup is usually within 24 to 48 hours of accepting, and we come to your home, work, a repair shop or a storage lot. The tow is free and nothing is taken out of your payment for it.
Paperwork and payment
Bring the title and a photo ID. The driver confirms the car and pays you by cash or check. Then you sign the title over and the car is loaded. If there's a loan, we pay the lender directly and give you the rest. See our document checklist.
After the sale
Take the plates off unless your state keeps them with the car (some states have you turn them in), cancel insurance, and file a release of liability with your DMV. Our after-sale checklist covers it.
No obligation.
How we compare
Buys cars that don't run or are wrecked
- Car Emptor
- Yes
- Dealer
- Sometimes
- Private sale
- No
- Junkyard
- Yes
Free towing
- Car Emptor
- Yes
- Dealer
- No
- Private sale
- No
- Junkyard
- Sometimes
Typical time to sell
- Car Emptor
- 1 to 2 days after you accept
- Dealer
- Same day
- Private sale
- Weeks
- Junkyard
- 1 to 3 days
Haggling
- Car Emptor
- None
- Dealer
- Bundled into the deal
- Private sale
- Lots
- Junkyard
- Some
No strangers test-driving your car
- Car Emptor
- Yes
- Dealer
- Yes
- Private sale
- No
- Junkyard
- Yes
Title paperwork handled for you
- Car Emptor
- Yes
- Dealer
- Yes
- Private sale
- No
- Junkyard
- Sometimes
How you're paid
- Car Emptor
- Cash or check at pickup
- Dealer
- Credit toward a car
- Private sale
- Varies, scam risk
- Junkyard
- Cash, by weight
Price basis for a clean, running car
- Car Emptor
- Wholesale value
- Dealer
- Wholesale, set against your next car
- Private sale
- Usually highest
- Junkyard
- Scrap weight
Common questions
How do you calculate my offer?
We look at the year, make, model and trim, the mileage, whether the car runs, any damage, and the title status. Running cars are priced on resale value. Cars that don't run are priced on their parts and metal. Accurate answers get you an offer that holds at pickup.
How long is my offer good for?
Seven days. If you need longer, call us and we'll refresh it based on the current market.
Will my offer change at pickup?
Only if the car's condition is different from what you described. If it matches, the price you accepted is the price you're paid.
Do you charge any fees?
No. There are no towing, title or processing fees. The offer is what you get.
Is the offer negotiable?
Our first offer is our best estimate for the details you gave us. If something we didn't know adds value, like new tires or a recent engine, tell us and we'll take another look.
How quickly can you pick up my car?
Pickup is usually within 24 to 48 hours of accepting the offer. You choose the time and the place, such as your driveway, workplace or a repair shop, and the tow is free. If you need a specific day, pick it when you schedule and the driver will confirm it.
Where do you pick up?
Anywhere in the United States: your home, work, a repair shop, a storage lot or the street, as long as the tow truck can reach the car.
How do I get paid?
At pickup, by cash or check depending on the amount and your area. The car stays with you until you're paid.
Do I need to be there?
Usually, yes. Someone needs to meet the driver to accept payment and then sign the title over. If you can't be there, call us before pickup. A family member with the signed paperwork can often stand in, and we'll tell you what your state accepts.
What do I need at pickup?
The title, a photo ID that matches the name on it, and the keys if you have them. You sign the title over in front of the driver once you're paid. If there's a loan, the payoff is arranged with your lender before pickup day.
Why Car Emptor
Car buyers get a bad name from quotes that drop when the tow truck shows up. Our terms put these three promises in writing.
The offer holds
If the car matches what you told us, the price you accepted is the price you get. No haggling in the driveway.
You're paid first
The driver pays you before the car is loaded. Don't sign the title until the money is in your hand.
Anywhere, no fees
Towing, title processing and paperwork cost you nothing, downtown or down a gravel road.
Find out what your car is worth today
A cash offer, free towing anywhere in the US, and payment at pickup. The offer is good for 7 days.