The Treasure State awaits! Junking a car in Montana is short and sweet. However, there are things you need to know before you can get rid of your junk car, such as the proper paperwork and procedures you need to follow. Let’s jump in!
What Is a Junk Car?
A junk car is one that no longer has value due to extensive damage and may no longer function. However, not all junk cars have damage that doesn’t allow them to function. These cars are not safe or legal to drive on roads and highways.
Junk Car Removal Companies That Buy Junk Cars In Montana
- 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 You Could Get For Scrapping A Car In Montana
How much can you make when you sell your junk or unwanted car? It really depends, but mostly you use $500 as an average. Of course, the better condition and newer your car is, the more you can expect. Rusted-out, older cars will most likely be under $500 in value when it comes to sell them
| Make | Model | Year | City | Sold For |
| Volkswagen | Jetta | 2010 | Billings, MT | $ 415 |
| Nissan | Murano | 2004 | Billings, MT | $ 640 |
| Toyota | 4Runner | 1997 | Missoula, MT | $ 410 |
| Volvo | S60 | 2013 | Billings, MT | $ 840 |
| Ford | Taurus | 1993 | Great Falls, MT | $ 140 |
Junk Car Removal Service Locations In Montana
Get cash for your junk car when you sell it in Montana including in the following cities and counties:
- Billings, MT
- Missoula, MT
- Great Falls, MT
- Bozeman, MT
- Butte-Silver Bow, MT
- Helena, MT
- Kalispell, MT
- Belgrade, MT
- Havre, MT
- Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, MT
How Can I Prepare to Sell My Car to a Junkyard?
Good thinking! It’s best to prepare to junk your car once you make the decision. You’ll need the car’s title or the registration card for proof of ownership purposes. Proof of an active auto insurance policy doesn’t matter in this scenario. Although you’ll receive some cash for junking your car, you’ll want to have some cash on hand to cover all applicable fees, such as towing and duplicate form charges from the Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MT MVD) IF you don’t have the car’s title.
How Do I Sell My Car to a Junkyard in Montana?
Now it’s time to get down to business. To junk your car in the state of Montana, you’ll need to find a junkyard in your area. The same way you found this article is the same way you can find a local junkyard.
Use the internet to find a local Montana junkyard by typing the term “junkyards near me”. Once you hit the “enter” key, you’ll have a list of junkyards that are in your area. Choose at least 2 junkyards because it’s nice to have options, and you never know if you’ll like the first junkyard due to ratings and reviews, or something else.
After you check out the websites of both junkyards, choose the one you like the most. On the website, find the section where you can start your junk car journey. The section or tab on the website will read something similar to “junk your car today”.
You’ll be asked a series of questions about the car you want to junk and questions about yourself. Questions regarding the car can include damages the car sustained, the make, model, and year of the car, and the car’s vehicle identification number (VIN). As for you, junkyards will want to know your name, physical mailing address, phone number, and email address. If the car you’re junking isn’t located on your property, you’ll also need to disclose that location.
Once you provide the required information, you’ll be provided with a quote. If you accept the quote, be advised that you are also agreeing to the junkyard’s other terms and conditions. If you decline the quote, you are not agreeing to any terms, including the junkyard’s terms, and you are not obligated to junk your car with that particular junkyard.
Do You Need a Vehicle Title to Junk a Car in Montana?
Yes. You will need some type of document that proves you are the legal owner of the car, known as proof of ownership documentation. If you don’t have the car’s title, you will need to present the car’s registration card.
However, if you have lost or misplaced the car’s title, you can apply for a duplicate Montana car title by completing an Application for Certificate of Title for a Motor Vehicle (Form MV7). Make sure you sign the car’s title in the designated sections to prevent delays in the junking process. You will need to pay the $10.30 duplicate title fee.
How Much Does It Cost to Junk a Car in Montana?
The cost to junk your car in Montana depends on a few different factors, such as if you have a roadside assistance membership, if you need the junkyard to tow your car, or if the junkyard charges towing fees. However, some junkyards do not have towing fees, so you could get lucky! In any event, you can’t drive your car on the roads or highways of Montana, even if the car is functional because junk cars are not safe to operate, and it’s illegal.
What is a Junk Car Title in Montana?
A junk car title is given to cars that are unsafe to drive and it also marks the death of a car. It may sound a little harsh, but the truth can sometimes hurt, right? Cars with a junk title can’t be registered or driven and won’t be given a standard car title once they have been deemed “junk”.
Can You Junk a Car With an Expired Registration in Montana?
You can junk a car that has an expired registration card, so you can relax if this applies to you. Presenting a registration card is for proof of ownership, so if it’s expired, that’s okay. However, keep in mind that you can’t have a car that has an expired registration in a public place, such as shopping center parking lots, on the side of the road, and in other public places.
How Do I Get a Junk Vehicle Title in Montana?
If your car has been deemed as a junk car, your insurance provider will provide the junk title. However, if you don’t receive your junk title, you can contact your local MT MVD branch and ask about your next steps. You may also be able to request a junk car title online by providing:
- The VIN (vehicle identification number)
- Your address to receive the junk car title
- Phone number
- Email address
- Photo of your vehicle (optional in some Montana cities)
- Photo of the vehicle’s VIN
- Certificate of Destruction
Keep in mind that you may be asked to provide more or fewer documents depending on the city in Montana you reside. There may also be fees you will be required to pay to receive the junk car title.
What Paperwork Do I Need to Scrap a Car?
To scrap your car in Montana, you’ll need to submit the following documentation:
- The Montana Certificate of Title (Form MV7) (properly endorsed for transfer)
- Lien sale documents (properly executed for registration and transfer)
- A salvage certificate (Form MV206) (properly endorsed for transfer)
If you no longer have the car’s registration card, you are required to provide a bill of sale. The vehicle’s bill of sale may be able to be used instead of the vehicle title signatures.
Can You Sell a Car With a Salvage Vehicle Title in Montana?
You can sell your car if it has a salvage car title. However, as the car’s owner, you are responsible for making the necessary repairs to ensure the car meets Montana’s safety standards. The car will need to endure specific safety tests to make sure the car is safe.
Also, it’s important to keep all receipts for parts you have purchased and repairs you’ve made. Once your car is reported to the MT MVD as a junk car, you will be able to obtain a rebuilt car title.
How Do I Get Rid of a Car I Don’t Want?
Getting rid of a car you don’t want is as easy as junking it, scrapping it, or selling it. One option you don’t have is abandoning the car. Even if you don’t mind paying unnecessary fees, it’s not a good idea, and there’s no reason to get involved with the law if you don’t absolutely have to.
What Happens to Abandoned Cars in Montana?
In the state of Montana, the Montana Code states that enforcement agencies can take a vehicle into custody that is found abandoned for at least 48 hours on any public highway, or 5 days or more on public property, private property, or any city street. You can learn more about abandoned cars here.
Does the MT MVD Buy Old Cars?
The Montana MVD won’t buy your old car, but there are other avenues you can explore. Although your car is an older model, it may still have some life left, and there are people who wouldn’t mind taking the car off of your hands.
However, if your car has sustained a lot of damage and the repairs will cost more than the car’s actual value, it’s in your best interest to junk the car.
Can I Scrap My Car Without a Registration Document?
Yes, you can scrap your car without its registration card. However, since you don’t have the registration card, you will need to present the car’s title. Why? Similar to junking your car, you will need proof that you are the car’s legal owner.
Can I Scrap a Car That Is Not Registered In My Name?
Scrapping a car that’s not in your name is out of the question. If the car is not registered in your name, you are not the legal owner. Since you are not listed as the legal owner of the car, you can’t make decisions regarding the vehicle, such as junking or scrapping it. In this scenario, showing proof of an active auto insurance policy or a bill of sale will not suffice as proof of ownership documentation.
Proof of ownership documentation is important in the junking and scrapping process because it lets junkyards, scrapyards, and the state of Montana know about the car you’re junking and who’s junking the car.
Can I Scrap a Car Without a Vehicle Title?
We get it. Things get lost and need to be replaced. If you’ve misplaced your car’s title, you can apply for a duplicate title by:
- Completing an Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title (Form MV7)
- Submitting a Statement of Fact (Form MV100) with the Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title, IF you need a replacement title due to a legal name change
- Payment of $10.30 to cover the duplicate title fee (you will need to pay an additional $10.30 if you need to add a collateral lien to the title)
You need to mail the document(s) and fees to:
Vehicle Services Bureau
Motor Vehicle Division
Montana Department of Justice
PO Box 201431
302 N Roberts
Helena, MT 59620
What Do You Need to Junk a Car in MT?
If you decide to junk or dismantle your car, you need to visit your local MT MVD branch and bring the vehicle’s:
- Certificate of Title, which must be either:
- In your name
- Endorsed for transfer of ownership to you
- License plates
You may also be required to pay additional fees if the vehicle is not currently registered or designated for a planned non-operation status, which means you have notified the MT MVD that your car is a junk car. You can contact your local MT MVD branch for more information or inquire about a junk car title that you didn’t receive from your insurance company.
How Old Does a Car Have to be to Not Require a Vehicle Title in MT?
Most vehicles in Montana are required to obtain a title and be registered. However, there are certain types of vehicles that do not require a vehicle title. These vehicles are:
- Disaster relief vehicles
- Fire fighting equipment (fire trucks, fire engines, etc.)
- Golf carts
- Forklift trucks
- Hauled vehicles
- Miniature motorcycles
- Pickup Camper (only requires a title)
Current Scrap Metal Prices in MT?
The current scrap metal prices in Montana may not have crossed your mind until now. It’s a good idea to be aware of the current scrap metal prices in Montana before junking or scrapping your car to give you a general idea of what your car is worth. Below are the standard prices you need to know about in Montana.
| Metal | Price Per Pound |
| Aluminum | $1.02 |
| Aluminum Alloy | $0.95 |
| Copper | $3.82 |
| Brass | $2.99 |
| Lead | $1.02 |
| Nickel | $12.54 |
| Tin | $11.51 |
| Zinc | $1.37 |
| Steel Scrap | $0.19 |
| Steel Rebar | $0.32 |
Montana Junkyard Locations
There are multiple Montana junkyards. We thought we’d do you a solid by listing different MT junkyards to give you a head start on your junking journey. Check out our list and see if you can find a junkyard near you.
Green Meadow Auto Salvage
7313 Green Meadow Dr.
Helena, MT 59602
(406) 458-9204
Monday – Friday (8:30 AM – 5: 30 PM)
Saturday and Sunday (Closed)
AF&T Auto Parts & Salvage
6125 Jackrabbit Ln
Belgrade, MT 59714
(406) 388-4735
Monday – Friday (8:30 AM – 5:30 PM)
Saturday and Sunday (Closed)
Louie & Dean’s Montana Truck & Car Salvage
516 Scott St.
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 245-6621
Monday – Friday (8 AM – 5 PM)
Saturday and Sunday (Closed)
Summit Valley Auto Salvage
705 E Iron St.
Butte, MY 59701
(406) 782-6358
Monday – Friday (8 AM – 6 PM)
Saturday and Sunday (Closed)
You just learned how to junk a car in the state of Montana! You’re now a car-junking guru and nothing can stop you. Now that you know the ins and outs of junking a car in MT, you can junk your car with little to no hassles and a bunch of confidence. Happy junking!
