How to Buy Junk Cars in California

Most California junkyards exist within a large and established network of junkyard proprietors and individual sellers throughout the state. Though a single junkyard or junk-car seller may not have the car you're looking for, there is a strong likelihood a junkyard or individual seller will be able to connect you to another yard or seller who does. Buying a junk car in California requires you to establish a connection with this network.

Instructions

1

Identify a nearby junkyard using one of the many online junkyard directories with information on California junkyards. Included are Used Part Central, YardQuest and California Junkyards. You can also use local phone and business directories such as the Yellow Pages. Some online directories such as Used Part Central and California Junkyards allow you to search by vehicle type or even submit a part or vehicle request, which is then sent out to the hundreds of junkyards in the directory.

2

Contact the the junkyard using the contact information provided to you by the directory. If you have used an online directory's vehicle-request service, you may need to wait several business days to hear back from a junkyard.

3

Tell the junkyard what you are looking for, and find out what's available within your budget.

4

Finalize the purchase of the junk car by securing a vehicle title. Because of California law, depending on the condition of the vehicle, you may not be required to secure a title. Instead you will need a Salvage Certificate which, like a title, will be issued by the California DMV.