How To Junk a Car in North Dakota

So, you need to junk a car in North Dakota. No problem! This article will teach you how to junk a car in the Peace Garden State, and it only takes a few steps and a few documents.

How Do I Prepare to Sell My Car to a Junkyard in North Dakota?

To prepare to junk your car, you must ensure you have the required paperwork and information, including the car’s vehicle identification number (VIN). You will also need the car’s registration card and title. Make sure you set money aside to cover any applicable towing fees. If you no longer have the car’s title, you will need to apply for a duplicate car title and pay the fees associated with obtaining the title, which you can get at the North Dakota Department of Transportation (ND DOT).

If My Car Can Be Repaired, is it Still Considered Junk?

Although you may be able to repair your car, it can still be considered junk if the cost of repairs exceeds the car’s total value. Your car may have sustained extensive damage due to an accident or other mishap.

When you report the accident to your auto insurance provider, you will have to open a claim. Once everything is reviewed and it is determined that the cost to repair your car will cost more than your car’s worth, the car will be considered “junk”. At this point, the only value your car will have are its parts.

Junk Car Removal Companies That Buy Junk Cars In North Dakota

• 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 Junk Car In North Dakota

Make	Model	Year	City	Sold For
Ford	Freestyle	2007	Fargo, ND	$                  325
Toyota	Sienna	2009	Bismark, ND	$               1,270
Infiniti	G35	2007	Grand Forks, ND	$                  475
Volvo	S60	2008	Fargo, ND	$                  600
Toyota	Corolla	2006	Bismark, ND	$                  240

Junk Car Removal Service Locations In North Dakota

Can I Change My Mind About Junking My Car?

Sure you can! If you change your mind BEFORE reporting to the ND DOT that your car is junk. Once you report the car as junk to the ND DOT, this is the point of no return. Cars that have a junk title can’t be reactivated as a standard car title or any other title.

A junk car and a salvage car are not the same. Junk cars have the title of “junk” because they are no longer safe to operate on roads and highways, and can’t legally be sold unless you are selling the car to a junkyard or scrap yard.

How Do I Sell My Car to a Junkyard in North Dakota?

First, you need to find a North Dakota junkyard that’s in your area. Find the closest junkyard, so you can avoid possibly excessive towing fees. Some junkyards will tow your car for free and other junkyards will charge a towing fee.

The towing fee that’s charged depends on the junkyard, and this fee can be assessed by the miles they have to travel to pick up your car. If you have roadside assistance through your insurance or by other means, and if you have a towing package, you can use this feature to save some cash.

After you find a junkyard near you, you’ll need to answer questions about the car and yourself. Make sure you have the car’s VIN. The VIN is essential information that is used to help correctly identify the car. You will be asked questions about any damages the car sustained and the make, model, and year of the car.

After providing the required information, you will receive your quote. You can accept or decline the quote. Should you choose to accept the quote, not only are you agreeing to the junkyard’s terms and conditions, but you also agree to the junkyard’s payment terms. If you decline the quote, you have no obligation to junk your car with the junkyard, and you can choose a different junkyard.

You will also need to provide your full name, phone number, and email address. You’ll also be asked about the location of the car you want to junk. Since you can’t legally operate a junk car on roads and highways, the tow truck driver will need to know the location of the car so that they can pick it up. In most scenarios, you will need to be present when the car is picked up. The tow truck driver will make sure the car matches the VIN’s description, and you will receive your cash at this time.

Do You Need a Vehicle Title to Junk a Car in North Dakota?

It’s best if you have the car’s title. However, if you don’t, there’s no need to panic. The ND DOT doesn’t issue titles for junk cars, but if you have the car’s registration card, you can use this as proof of ownership documentation. The only reason you are required to provide the car’s title or registration card is to verify you are the legal owner of the car.

How Much Does It Cost to Junk a Car in North Dakota?

The cost to junk a car in North Dakota depends on whether you’re allowing the junkyard to tow your car or using the roadside assistance that came with your insurance or another provider. Some junkyards do not charge a towing fee and some junkyards will. If you have roadside assistance, this is the perfect opportunity to use it.

You may be thinking you’ll save money by driving the car to the junkyard. While this may seem ideal, don’t be tempted to follow through! Although your car is considered a junk car, it may still be operational. However, it is ILLEGAL to operate a junk car on roads and highways.

What is a Junk Title in North Dakota?

If your car has been deemed as “junk”, this means that your car has reached the end of the line. Junk cars are not safe to operate on roads and highways and have no value unless the car’s parts are scrapped or junked. You can NOT sell a junk car to an individual, only to a junkyard.

Can You Junk a Car With an Expired Registration in North Dakota?

Yes. You can junk a car if the registration card has expired. However, you can’t have a car that has an expired registration abandoned in public areas, such as shopping center parking lots, on the side of the road, and other public areas. The car’s registration is a proof of ownership document, so as long as your name is on the registration, you’re good to go.

How Do I Get a Junk Vehicle Title in North Dakota?

The state of North Dakota does not title or register cars that are deemed as junk, parts only, unrepairable, and similar notations. If you still have the car’s title before it was deemed as “junk” or the car’s registration card, you can still use these documents as proof of ownership of the car.

What Paperwork is Required to Scrap a Car?

When you’re ready to scrap your car, make sure you have the following:

• The North Dakota Certificate of Title (properly endorsed for transfer)
• Lien sale documents (properly executed for registration and transfer)

You may also be required to provide a salvage certificate. If you no longer have the car’s registration card, you must 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 North Dakota?

Yes. However, as the car’s seller, you are required to provide specific paperwork. Any car, truck, pickup, or unconventional vehicle that is less than 9 years old that has a North Dakota vehicle title is required to have a Damage/Salvage Disclosure Statement (Form SFN 18609). You must complete the form when the ownership of the vehicle is transferred, basically when you sell the car.

Year of Purchase	Year Model
2019	2012 and Newer
2020	2013 and Newer
2021	2014 and Newer
2022	2015 and Newer
2023	2016 and Newer
2024	2017 and Newer

In addition to the Damage Disclosure Statement, it’s a good idea to keep the receipts from the repairs that are made and parts that you purchase. After you report the car as junk to the ND DOT, you can obtain a revived car title and repair the car.

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

Having a car you no longer want isn’t a crime.  You can sell the car, junk it, or scrap it. Abandoning the car is NOT an option. Doing so could put you in a position to pay multiple fees and face a variety of penalties. As the vehicle’s owner, you are responsible for properly disposing of the car.

What Happens to Abandoned Cars in North Dakota?

In North Dakota, an abandoned vehicle is one that is defined in Section 39-01-01, as a vehicle that has remained for a period of more than 48 hours on public property ILLEGALLY, or lacking vital component parts that are required for operation, or is located on private property without the consent of the person in control of or who owns the property.

In addition to the above definition, in North Dakota, an abandoned car can also be a motor vehicle that is voluntarily surrendered by the owner to a person who is duly licensed under Section 23.1-15-09.

How Do You Properly Dispose of an Abandoned Vehicle in North Dakota?

To properly dispose of your abandoned vehicle in North Dakota, you can junk or recycle the car’s parts. When you recycle the car, the parts will be recycled to create bricks, steel, and other useful building materials.

In the state of North Dakota, an abandoned vehicle that is not more than 7 model years old that is taken into custody by a unit of government and not reclaimed under Section 23.1-15-10, must be sold to the highest bidder at a sale or public auction.

If a commercial towing service takes custody of an abandoned vehicle and the vehicle is NOT reclaimed under Section 23.1-15-06, the commercial towing service can obtain a release from the DOT that is sufficient for disposing of the vehicle.

Does the ND DOT Buy Old Cars?

The North Dakota DOT does not buy old cars. However, they do provide information on how to sell your car here. There are a lot of people who are interested in buying an older model car because they are less expensive than newer model cars, and some people are fans of older cars and how they were made. Put your car up for sale. You never know! Make sure you follow the guidelines for selling a car in North Dakota to avoid unnecessary penalties and fees.

Can I Scrap My Car Without a Registration Document?

Although it’s best to have the car’s title and registration card, it’s possible to junk a car without the car’s registration document in North Dakota. Since you don’t have the registration document, you must provide a different proof of ownership document, such as the car’s title. All junk yards are not the same, so if the junkyard requires you to have the car’s registration card, you’ll have to find a junkyard that junks cars at a low cost or for free to recycle them.

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

If your name does not appear on the car’s registration card or title, this means that you are NOT the legal owner of the car. If you’re not the car’s legal owner, you do not have the authority to junk the car or decide what happens with the car in general, such as junking scrapping. In this situation, providing a bill of sale or proof of an active auto insurance policy will not suffice as a proof of ownership document.

Can I Scrap a Car Without a Vehicle Title?

If you don’t have the car’s title, it’s okay. Things get lost sometimes, especially documents. The good news is that you don’t have to worry about applying for a duplicate title because North Dakota does NOT issue titles to junk cars, cars for parts, or cars that fall into this category. Make sure you have the car’s registration as proof of ownership.

What Do You Need to Junk a Car in ND?

Junking a car in North Dakota is simple. You need to visit your local ND DOT 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 need to pay additional fees if the vehicle is not currently registered or designated for a planned non-operation status, meaning you did NOT notify the ND DOT that your car is “junk” before actually junking the car. You can contact your local ND DOT branch for more information.

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

Vehicles that are required to have a title in North Dakota can include but are not limited to:

• Passenger cars
• Trucks
• Motorcycles
• Recreational vehicles
• Motor homes
• Buses
• Manufactured or mobile homes
• Trailers
• Off-highway vehicles (ATVs or snowmobiles)

What if I Need to Junk Multiple Cars?

Many junkyards will allow you to junk multiple cars as long as you have the proper paperwork for each car, such as each car’s title and registration. If you are junking more than one car, let the junkyard know, so they can make the necessary arrangements.

When Will I Receive My Funds from Junking My Car?

We get it! It’s the most exciting part of the junking process. In most situations, you receive your money on-the-spot when the tow truck driver comes to tow your car to the junkyard. Most of the time, the tow truck driver will inspect the car you’re junking to make sure the car is as described, and make sure the VIN matches the one you provided. Once everything is checked and correct, you will receive your funds.

How is the Value of a Junk Car Determined?

There are different factors that contribute to the value of a junk car. The value of a junk car is determined by the following factors:

• Location of the junkyard
• Car’s make and model
• Vehicle’s age
• Current scrap metal prices

Current Scrap Metal Prices in North Dakota?

Have you ever wondered about the current scrap metal prices in North Dakota? Yeah, we didn’t think so, but in this situation, this information is essential for giving you a general idea of how much your junk car is worth. The scrap metal prices are different for each state. In North Dakota, these are the current scrap metal prices:

Metal	Price Per Pound
Aluminum	$1.15
Aluminum Alloy	$0.93
Copper	$4.06
Brass	$3.19
Lead	$0.95
Nickel	$12.80
Tin	$13.01
Zinc	$1.49
Steel Scrap	$0.19
Steel Rebar	$0.31

North Dakota Junkyard Locations

We took the time to create a list of a few junkyards in North Dakota to help make the junking process a little easier for you. Check out our list below to see if you can find a junkyard in your area.

Ketterling’s Junkyard
1189 98th St NE
Bottineau, ND 58318
(701) 228-2412
Monday – Friday (9 AM – 5 PM)
Saturday and Sunday (Closed)

Dakota Wrecking & Salvage
420 41st St SE
Minot, ND 58701
(701) 838-2842
Monday – Friday (9 AM – 5 PM)
Saturday and Sunday (Closed)

Petes Tractor Salvage Inc.
2163 15th Ave NE
Anamoose, ND 58710
(701) 465-3274
Monday – Friday (8 AM – 5 PM)
Saturday and Sunday (Closed)

Swartwout Auto Salvage
3301 153rd St NE
Surrey, ND 58785
(701) 728-6572
Call for business hours

Now that you know how to junk a car in North Dakota, you can get rid of your car, receive your funds, and endure the next adventure in life. Happy junking!