How To Junk a Car In New Jersey

CashForYourJunkCar.org is an independent publisher. You will find affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you purchase through these links. It doesn't cost you anything & it helps us keep the site running.

Are you trying to junk a vehicle in the Garden State? No problem! You’d be surprised at how many people decide to junk their cars. Some people junk their cars because of mechanical failure, accident damage, expensive repair cost, and the list goes on. Here’s what you need to know about how to junk your car in New Jersey.

How Do I Sell My Car to a Junkyard In New Jersey?

Ready to sell your junk car? Great! You can sell your junk car online or at a junkyard in person. The good news is your car doesn’t have to be in top-of-the-line condition. New Jersey junkyards aren’t concerned with the condition of your vehicle. They’ll be happy to junk it.

Before you can junk your car, you need to find a local New Jersey junkyard. Type in “junkyards near me”, and you have a list of junkyard locations at your fingertips. Whether you’re using the internet or you’re going in person to junk your car, you must provide the vehicle’s identification number (VIN). Although junkyards aren’t concerned with the condition of your vehicle, they’ll want to know if your vehicle is drivable.

Once you provide the required information about you and your vehicle, you’ll be provided with a quote. If the quote looks good and you’re satisfied, you can accept the quote and the payment terms and proceed to the next step. If the quote is not satisfactory, you can always look at a different junkyard.

How Do I Get Rid of a Junk Car In New Jersey?

There are two ways you can get rid of your junk car in New Jersey. You can do everything you need to do online or go to a junkyard in person and provide the required paperwork. If you can drive your vehicle, you can take your car to the junkyard on your own. If your car is not drivable, the junkyard can tow it for a fee.

Junk Car Removal Service Locations In New Jersey

You can have your car towed and get cash for your car in all of New Jersey, including:

Junk Car Removal Companies That Buy Vehicles In New Jersey

Get a free quote online or give them a call. They will pick up your car and pay you for you no matter the condition.

How Much Can You Sell A Junk Car For In NJ?

Here is a sample of how much you could make by selling your unwanted car in New Jersey. Offers listed may not reflect the value of your car. How much you can make selling your vehicle will be determined by the condition, age, and market demand of the vehicle.

MakeModelYearCitySold For
ToyotaPrius Prime2005Newark, NJ $               1,325
FordF1502005Jersey City, NJ $                  200
VolvoXC902005Paterson, NJ $                  690
Toyota4Runner1996Elizabeth, NJ $                    95
VolvoS602010Toms River, NJ $                  740
ChevroletImpala2002Trenton, NJ $                  295
NissanMaxima1996Clifton, NJ $                  195
Ford Explorer2000Bayonne, NJ $                  710
JeepGrand Cherokee2013Lakewood, NJ $                  590
SubaruLegacy2010Passaic, NJ $                  740

Do You Need a Vehicle Title to Junk a Car In New Jersey?

The specific paperwork that is required to junk your car depends on the New Jersey junkyard you choose. Some junkyards will accept your vehicle if you don’t have the vehicle title as long as you have proof of ownership. Check with the junkyard to make sure you have everything you need so the junking process is as smooth as possible.

How Much Does It Cost to Junk a Car In New Jersey?

One thing a lot of people are concerned with when it comes to junking a car is the cost. The good news is, you can scrap your vehicle’s parts and get cash! There usually isn’t a cost to junk a car in New Jersey. However, there may be one or multiple fees to pay if the junkyard has to tow your vehicle.

What is a Junk Title In New Jersey?

A New Jersey junk title is a vehicle title that defines the death of a vehicle. A junk vehicle title is issued when there are no options other than selling a vehicle for parts or scrapping it. Your vehicle may have sustained extensive damage because of an auto accident or other incident that made the vehicle irreparable. Junk vehicles can’t be driven legally on the roads and highways of New Jersey. Junk vehicles can’t be sold for use.

Can You Junk a Car With an Expired Registration In New Jersey?

Yes, you are allowed to junk a vehicle that has an expired registration in the state of New Jersey. Be advised that you can’t have an unregistered vehicle in a public place, whether the vehicle has been deemed “junk” or not. Make note that an unregistered vehicle is not the same as an untitled vehicle.

How Do I Get a Junk Vehicle Title In New Jersey?

You need to take a few steps to get a New Jersey junk vehicle title. Follow these steps to receive an NJ junk vehicle title:

  • If you have the vehicle’s certificate of title, you must present this document to the salvage dealer
  • You must sign the “Transfer of Title by Seller section (you’re transferring ownership of the vehicle to the salvage dealer)
  • If you don’t have the certificate of title, you must complete the Univeral Title Application (Form OS-SS-UTA). This form needs to be completed with accurate information by the vehicle’s owner. Once this form is complete, you can sign the title over to the salvage dealer.

You may be able to surrender your vehicle’s license plate(s) at this time.

If you choose to junk your vehicle online, you need to take the following steps:

  • Provide the vehicle’s vehicle identification number (VIN)
  • Your address for the junk vehicle title (if applicable)
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • A photo of your vehicle (may be optional in some NJ cities)
  • Photo of the vehicle’s VIN
  • Certificate of Destruction

You may be requested to provide more or fewer documents depending on the city in New Jersey you reside.

How best to get cash for your junk car in NJ is up to you.

What Paperwork Do I Need to Scrap a Car?

In New Jersey, you will need different documentation to scrap your vehicle, including:

  • The New Jersey Certificate of Title (if you don’t have the vehicle’s title, complete the New Jersey Universal Title Application (Form OS-SS-UTA). The title must be properly endorsed for transfer.
  • Lien sale documents (must be properly executed for registration and vehicle transfer)
  • A salvage certificate (must be endorsed for vehicle transfer)

If you don’t have the vehicle’s registration, you must provide a bill of sale. The bill of sale may be able to be used instead of vehicle title signatures.

Can You Sell a Car With a Salvage Vehicle Title In New Jersey?

You don’t have to worry about criminal charges if you sell a car with a salvage vehicle title in New Jersey because it’s not illegal. However, you are required to prepare the vehicle to be sold. If you reported your vehicle to the NJ MVC as a salvage vehicle, you have the option of restoring the vehicle or obtaining a revived salvage vehicle title, which is perfect for mechanics who want to rebuild a vehicle.

How Do I Get Rid of a Car I Don’t Want?

If you have a car you don’t want, getting rid of it won’t be too much of a hassle. If your car is a junk vehicle, you can scrap its parts or sell it to a junkyard. If your vehicle is still operational, you can sell it to an individual as a private sale.

Does the NJ MVC Buy Old Cars?

The NJ MVC doesn’t purchase old cars, but you can always donate your vehicle. If the vehicle is still in good condition, you can sell your vehicle. You’d be surprised at how many people are interested in old cars.

Can I Scrap My Car Without a Registration Document?

If you’ve lost the vehicle’s registration, you can still junk your car. However, you will need to find a New Jersey junkyard that junks vehicles for free or at a low cost. When you scrap your vehicle, the car’s parts will be recycled into beneficial building materials, such as bricks, steel, and other materials.

Can I Scrap a Car That Is Not Registered In My Name?

No. You are not allowed to scrap a car that’s not registered in your name. New Jersey junkyards require proof of ownership document that proves you are the legal owner of the vehicle. In this scenario, you will not be allowed to use a bill of sale or proof of an active NJ auto insurance policy as a proof of ownership document. Cash and bribery aren’t a good idea either.

Proof of vehicle ownership is an essential document for NJ junkyards because they are required to notify the state of New Jersey when they destroy a vehicle and are responsible for reporting everything they know about the source of the vehicle.

Can I Scrap a Car Without a Vehicle Title in New Jersey?

Scrapping a vehicle without a title in NJ is possible, but you need to be prepared to receive a quote that will be less than your original quote. Why? If you don’t have your vehicle’s title, the junkyard must pay all applicable NJ titling fees to transfer ownership of the vehicle.

What Do You Need to Junk a Car In NJ?

To junk your car in New Jersey, you need to visit your local New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission branch (NJ MVC) and present the following documents:

  • Certificate of title (must be in your name and endorsed for transfer of ownership to you). If you don’t have the vehicle’s title, you must complete the NY Universal Title Application (Form OS-SS-UTA)
  • The vehicle’s license plate(s)

Be advised that you may be required to pay additional fees if the vehicle is not currently registered or designated for non-operational status. You can contact your local NJ MVC branch for more information.

How Old Does a Car Have to be to Not Require a Vehicle Title in NJ?

Most vehicles in the state of New Jersey are required to have a title. However, some vehicles are an exception to this rule. These vehicles are:

  • Farm tractors that are under 1,500 lbs.
  • Jet skis
  • Boats that do not exceed 12ft.
  • Snowmobiles
  • ATVs
  • All trailers that do not exceed 2,500 lbs (can be manufactured or homemade)
  • Go-karts
  • Ditch diggers
  • Road construction equipment
  • Motorized wheelchairs
  • All industrial equipment

For more information about vehicles that do not require a title in New Jersey, visit the NJ MCV.

How Do You Junk a Car In NJ?

To junk a vehicle in New Jersey, you must have the required paperwork with the proper signatures. You can take your car to a junkyard if the vehicle is operational, or have the junkyard tow your vehicle if it’s not running. Depending on your situation, you may be required to pay different fees, which must be settled before you can junk your vehicle.

Current Scrap Metal Prices in NJ?

Knowing the price per pound a scrap yard or scrap metal recycling company in New Jersey pays is good to know before you visit the location. Below you will find the standard prices New Jersey scrap yards pay for different materials:

  • 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

New Jersey Junkyard Locations

There are different junkyard locations across the state of New Jersey.

First Class Auto Salvage Inc.
105 Patterson Ave.
Hamilton Township, NJ 08610
(609) 586-6222
Monday – Friday (8:30 AM – 4:30 PM)
Saturday and Sunday (Closed)

Klein’s Junk Cars
2156 Camplain Rd Fl 1
Hillsborough, NJ 08844
(908) 206-7432
Monday-Friday (9 AM – 4 PM)
Saturday (9 AM – 3 PM)
Sunday (Closed)

Kaars Inc.
2 Parker Ave
Trenton, NJ 08609
(609) 396-3000
Tuesday – Saturday (8 AM – 5 PM)
Sunday (8 AM – 3 PM)
Monday (24 hours)

You did it! You just learned how to junk a vehicle in New Jersey. Now that you know about the paperwork and fees for junking your NJ car, you can junk your vehicle without too many hassles. Happy junking!

Popular Cities In NJ To Sell You Junk Car