People junk their vehicles for different reasons, such as accident damage, such as the vehicle being totaled, mechanical failure, and expensive repair costs. Sometimes a vehicle can’t legally be operated on the streets and highways of their state, so it can’t be driven legally, and they decide to junk their vehicle. Whatever your reason for junking your New York vehicle, there are different factors that you need to know and consider.
There are three different ways you can junk your vehicle in the Empire State. You can sell your vehicle to a junkyard, sell your vehicle to a junk car service online, or sell it to the state of New York.
How To Junk a Car in New York State & NYC
There are different ways to junk your vehicle in New York. Here’s how to get your junk vehicle off your property.
The good news is that there are a variety of online services that specialize in buying junk vehicles and vehicles that are no longer operational. These three companies have a network of towing companies that will pick up your vehicle free of charge, tow your vehicle away, and pay you on-the-spot!
Pick any of the three listed towing companies for a free quote to see how much they will pay you for your junk vehicle. Did you know that online services are the easiest way to get rid of your junk vehicle in New York?
Junk Car Removal Companies that Buy Vehicles In New York
- Peddle or call them at (844) 334-0582
- Wheelzy or call them at (855) 602-2139
- CarBrain or call them at (877) 877-7911
How Much Your Junk Car Can Be Worth In New York
The condition and market value of the year, make and model of your vehicle will determine if you get paid top dollar or less for it. Here are representative examples of how much unwanted cars can be sold for in New York.
| Make | Model | Year | City | Sold For |
| Nissan | Murano | 2003 | Buffalo, NY | $ 630 |
| Chevrolet | Suburban | 2000 | Buffalo, NY | $ 330 |
| Dodge | Durango | 2003 | Yonkers, NY | $ 455 |
| Toyota | Scion tC | 2006 | Rochester, NY | $ 510 |
| Chevrolet | Suburban | 2002 | Syracuse, NY | $ 330 |
| Honda | CR-V | 2006 | Albany, NY | $ 735 |
| Oldsmobile | Alero | 2002 | New Rochelle, NY | $ 430 |
| Buick | LeSabre | 1997 | Yonkers, NY | $ 295 |
| Dodge | Magnum | 2003 | Schenectady, NY | $ 530 |
| Lincoln | Town Car | 1998 | Utica, NY | $ 305 |
Junk Car Removal Service Locations In New York
Get cash for your junk car when you sell it in New York, including in the following locations:
- New York City (Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, Brooklyn and Richmond), NY
- Buffalo, NY
- Yonkers, NY
- Rochester, NY
- Syracuse, NY
- Albany, NY
- New Rochelle, NY
- Mount Vernon, NY
- Schenectady, NY
- Utica, NY
- Staten Island, NY
Sell Your Junk Car to a Junkyard
We provided a list of junkyards in New York that buys junk vehicles.
Be advised that you will need to provide your vehicle’s vehicle identification number (VIN). Other details regarding your vehicle will also be required, such as whether your vehicle is in operational order. Once you provide this information, you will have your junk vehicle quote in a few minutes. If you agree to the payment terms, you can accept the offer and schedule a pickup.
New York Junkyard Locations
We’ve compiled a list of junkyards in the state of New York. You can find a junkyard that services your area here.
Ace Auto Salvage
1335 Castleton Ave
Staten Island, NY 10310
(718) 273-4100
Ace Auto Salvage: Auto Parts | Staten Island NY
Monday – Friday (8 AM – 5PM)
Saturday (8 AM – 2PM)
Sunday (Closed)
Gary’s U-Pull It
230 Colesville Rd
Binghamton, NY 13904
(607) 775-1900
Gary’s U-Pull-It | You Pull Used Auto Parts Yard – NY (garysupullit.com)
Monday – Friday (9 AM – 7PM)
Saturday (9AM – 4PM)
Sunday (Closed)
Junk My Car Brooklyn New York
500 Park Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11205
(718) 375-5533
AMP Junk My Car Brooklyn
Open 24 hours
Sell Your Junk Car to The State of New York
The state of New York doesn’t have a buy-back program like other states may have. However, there are car donation programs, such as Cars for Veterans, or you can donate your vehicle to Goodwill. Donating your car in NY is a great way to get rid of your unwanted car and support a local non-profit.
NY State Vehicle Donation Requirements
The good news is that there are no vehicle donation requirements! Cars for Veterans and the Goodwill vehicle donation program accept cars in any condition. While it may not be a “junk car” situation, it’s a good way to get rid of a vehicle you’re not using and a tax deduction.
Keep in mind that you will be asked to provide specific information regarding your vehicle, such as:
- The year, make, and model of the vehicle
- If the vehicle is in operational order
- Mileage
- If the vehicle’s title is available
You will also be asked to provide other information, including your:
- First and last name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Mailing address
- Pictures of the vehicle
Required Paperwork to Scrap Your Car in New York
When you want to scrap a car in New York, you are required to complete or submit different forms. The required paperwork to scrap a car in New York is as follows:
- Proof of
- Ownership, which can be provided with either:
- A New York State (NYS) Salvage Certificate (Form MV-907A), which is issued by your auto insurance company
- Ownership, which can be provided with either:
- The original vehicle title certificate that indicates your vehicle has been totaled (must be signed by the buyer and seller of the vehicle)
OR
- The bill of sale (must be signed by the buyer and seller)
- Identity, which you can show by presenting:
- Your valid NY driver’s license
- A NYS non-driver ID card
- Sales tax payment or purchase price (to pay the sales tax to the NY DMV)
- Identity, which you can show by presenting:
The NY DMV will issue you a sales tax receipt (Form FS-6T), which is only available at the DMV office.
When you junk your vehicle, make sure you receive a receipt that states:
- The vehicle’s make and model
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Date of transaction
- The auto wrecker or junkyard’s name
This receipt is important because it is proof that your car was disposed of correctly and legally.
License plates
Before the junking process can be completed, you are required to surrender the vehicle’s license plates to your local NY DMV office. If you are not in possession of your vehicle’s current registration, you may be required to provide a bill of sale.
Do You Need a Vehicle Title to Junk a Car in New York?
In the state of New York, providing a vehicle title to junk a vehicle might or might not be a requirement, depending on the junkyard. NY junkyards that don’t require a vehicle title might require a document that shows proof of ownership of the vehicle. Make sure you check with the junkyards to ensure that you have the proper documentation to prevent delays and possible penalties.
Can I Scrap a Car Without a Vehicle Title in New York?
In some situations, you might be able ot junk a vehicle without the vehicle’s title, but if you go this route, be prepared to receive less money than expected. Why? Junkyards are required to pay the fee to transfer ownership of the vehicle, and it will come out of the total pay for the junk vehicle.
How Old Does a Car Have to be to Not Require a Vehicle Title in NY?
All vehicles, such as cars, trucks, and RVs are required to have a vehicle title in NY. However, there are certain types of vehicles that do not require a vehicle title. These vehicles are:
- Motorized bicycles
- Mopeds (also referred to as limited-use motorcycles)
- Scooters
- Cars, trucks, and vans model year 1972 or older
- Boats (either model year 1986 or older, or less than 14 feet long)
- Trailers (model year 1972 or older, or trailers that don’t exceed a weight of 999 pounds)
Can You Junk a Car with an Expired Registration In New York?
A vehicle’s registration is proof that your vehicle is registered in NY and legal to drive. This document also help you receive a license plate for the vehicle. The vehicle’s registration provides specific information, such as:
- The vehicle owner’s name
- Vehicle’s license plate number
- Vehicle owner’s address
- Vehicle’s title number
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
The vehicle’s registration can be used as a proof of ownership document, which is sometimes required before junking your vehicle.
Can I Scrap My Car Without a Registration Document?
If a NY junkyard requires you to present your vehicle’s registration, but you are not in possession of the registration, you’ll need to find a junkyard in New York that junks vehicles free of charge or for a low fee to recycle the vehicle’s parts. These parts will be recycled into useful materials, such as steel, bricks, and other materials.
Can I Scrap a Car That Is Not Registered In My Name?
No. In the state of New York, you must provide a document that shows proof of ownership of the vehicle you want to scrap. In some instances, a bill of sale will not suffice as proof of ownership, and neither will proof of a vehicle insurance policy.
Why is proof of ownership required by New York junkyards? NY junkyards require proof of ownership because they are required to notify the state of New York every time they destroy a vehicle, and report the source of the vehicle. Any information that is available regarding the individual junking the vehicle is also essential.
What is a Junk Title In New York State?
In New York, junk vehicles are vehicles that have experienced major damage resulting from a flood, hurricane, or wreck damage that can’t be repaired. Vehicles in this condition will obtain a “Non-repairable vehicle title” that is issued by the NY DMV. Vehicles with this title can’t be rebuilt, re-titled, or re-registered by law.
How Do I Get a Junk Vehicle Title in New York?
In order to receive a junk title for your vehicle in New York, you need to provide specific information and documentation, such as:
- The vehicle’s VIN
- Your address for the vehicle to be towed and junked (if applicable)
- Your phone number
- Your email address
- Photos of your vehicle
- A photo of the vehicle’s VIN
- Certificate of destruction (if applicable)
In some situations, you may be asked to provide additional or fewer information, depending on the city in New York you reside.
Can You Sell a Car With a Salvage Vehicle Title In New York?
Before you try to sell your vehicle, you need to know if it’s considered a salvage vehicle in the state of New York. A salvage vehicle in New York is considered a vehicle:
- Model year 1973 or newer and transferred to an insurance company wiht a salvage certificate as a result of damage from:
- Collision
- Water
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Declared a “wreck” at the time of sale or transfer by the owner listed on the back of the vehicle’s title
- Brought to the state of New York after being issued a salvage vehicle title in a different state
It is not illegal to sell a vehicle with a salvage vehicle in NY, but be advised that you will need to prep your vehicle for sale. If your vehicle has been reported to the NY DMV as a salvage vehicle, you can choose whether you want to restore the vehicle or obtain a revived salvaged vehicle title, which means you will bring your vehicle up to code and retitle the vehicle.
What You Should Do With Your New York License Plates?
Once you decide to junk your vehicle, you must remove the license plates and surrender them to your local NY DMV office.
FAQs for Getting Rid Of Your Junk Car In New York
Do I Need To Notify The NY DMV If I Junk My Car?
Yes. The NY DMV needs to know when you junk your vehicle, so you don’t have to worry about taxes, penalties, and other associated costs. You may also need to provide a damage disclosure statement (Form MV-103).
Do You Need To Notify The DMV If Your Car Is Totaled In New York?
Yes. You need to notify the NY DMV if your car unfortunately becomes totaled. You need to file a vehicle damage report/claim to the New York State Thruway Authority by completing and submitting a Vehicle Damage Claim (Form TA-W1552). This form needs to be mailed to the Legal Department’s Claim Unit at the following address:
New York State Thruway Authority
Attn: Claims Unit
P.O. Box 189
Albany, NY 12201-0189
What Happens If You Abandon A Car In New York?
If you abandon your vehicle on a New York city street, the vehicle will be towed and you will be fined. In the state of New York, a vehicle is considered abandoned if the vehicle has been left unattended on someone’s property (including the city), for more than 96 hours, IF the vehicle was left on the premises without permission of the owner. If the state of New York can locate you, expect to pay penalties and fines for abandoning the vehicle.
How Much Does It Cost to Junk a Car In New York?
In most situations, there is no fee to junk a vehicle. However, you may be charged a fee(s) if the junkyard has to pick up your vehicle and take it back to their yard. In general, the fees, if any, that are associated with junking your vehicle will depend on the method in which you choose to junk your vehicle, such as delivering the vehicle to the junkyard on your own or having the tow company pick up the vehicle.
What Are the Current Scrap Metal Prices in New York?
If you’re planning on junking your vehicle, it’s a good idea to know what prices per pound a metal recycle or scrapyard company in New York will pay before you visit one. Below you will find a guide of rough estimates of the prices you can expect in New York.
- Copper (clean) – $4.12 – $5.07
- Aluminum – $0.19 – $1.01
- Cans – $0.06 – $0.10
- Clean Brass – $2.47 – $3.30
- Lead – $0.57 – $0.91
- Stainless Steel – $0.82 – $1.24
- Steel Radiators – $1.24 – $2.88
Now that you know what you can expect when junking your vehicle in the state of New York, you can successfully junk your vehicle with confidence. Happy junking!
