How To Junk a Car in South Dakota

Junking a car in South Dakota probably won’t be the highlight of your life, but it doesn’t have to take years to complete. If you’re ready to junk your car, we’re glad you found us! Let’s discuss everything you need to know about junking your car in the Mount Rushmore State.

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

Preparing to sell your car to an SD junkyard doesn’t have to take all day. You need to make sure you have the proper paperwork, such as the car’s title and registration card and the payment for the towing fees, if applicable.

If you no longer have the car’s title, you can apply for a duplicate title. We’ll discuss this later on in the article. You also need to make sure you have the car’s vehicle identification number (VIN). You will need to visit your local South Dakota Department of Revenue (SD DOR) to receive a duplicate car title.

Junk Car Removal Companies That Buy Junk Cars In South 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 Selling A Junk Car In South Dakota

How much you can sell your junk car for in South Dakota depends on the year, make, model and condition of your car. Here are a few models that can give you an idea of what to expect when you get rid of your unwanted car.

Make	Model	Year	City	Sold For
Chevrolet	Sonic	2016	Sioux Falls, SD	$640
Ford	Explorer	2007	Rapid City, SD	$770
Saturn	Ion	2003	Sioux Falls, SD	$180
Dodge	Dakota	2004	Sioux Falls, SD	$485
Chevrolet	Suburban	2015	Aberdeen, SD	$1,230

Junk Car Removal Service Locations In South Dakota

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

Good question! If your car can be repaired and safely operated on roads and highways, it would not be considered junk. Instead, your car would be considered a salvage vehicle. In most situations, auto insurance companies deem cars “junk” or roadworthy. If your car has been deemed as junk, this is an action that can’t be undone, meaning once your car has been labeled as junk, you can’t redeem a standard SD car title or do much else with the car, except junk it.

Can I Change My Mind About Junking My Car?

So, here’s the thing. If your car has already been deemed junk by your auto insurance company, there’s nothing you can do about it. So, that would be a no about changing your mind. However, if you have a car that’s been sitting in your garage for a while, and it needs a lot of repairs, you may want to consider junking the car.

If this is the case, you can change your mind about junking your car, as long as you have not reported your car to the SD DOR as a junk car. Once your car is reported as junk, this is yet another situation where the action is set in stone. We get it. Your car may have sentimental value, and you may not be ready to part ways with it just yet.

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

To sell your car in South Dakota, you’ll first need to find a junkyard. There’s no guide to finding the “perfect” junkyard. However, it is a good idea to try to find a junkyard that’s in your area. You can no longer drive the car, so the car will have to be towed. If the junkyard charges a towing fee, you need to make sure you have the funds to cover this fee. The further you are from the junkyard, the more money they will charge to pick up your car.

Now that that’s covered, once you find a junkyard, you will be required to provide information about your car and yourself. Let’s discuss the required information for your car first. The junkyard will need the following information about the car you’re junking:

• Vehicle identification number (VIN)
• Model, make, year, and color of the car
• Description of vehicle damage
• Identification of working parts on the car
• The physical location of the car (such as an address)

Next, you will need to provide information about yourself, which can include your:

• First and last name
• Phone number
• Email address

After providing the required information, the junkyard will give you a quote. You can accept or decline the quote. However, accepting the quote is also acceptance of the junkyard’s terms and conditions, so make sure you understand what you’re agreeing to. If you decline the quote, you can choose a different junkyard.

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

It’s always best if you have all the documents you need.  However, if you don’t have the car’s title, you can apply for a duplicate SD car title by completing and submitting an Application for a Duplicate Certificate of Title (Form MV-010).

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

The price you will pay to junk your car in South Dakota depends on the junkyard you’re going to use. Some junkyards charge towing fees and other junkyards don’t. If you have roadside emergency assistance, such as AAA, or a similar service, this is the perfect time to use it!

We feel the need to mention NOT driving the junk car ANYWHERE if it is in operational order. There’s no need to put yourself in a position to pay additional fees or face unnecessary penalties. It is illegal to operate a junk car on the roads and highways of South Dakota.

What is a Junk Title in South Dakota?

An SD junk title is the title a car receives when it has been deemed “junk” by an insurance company. Once your car is given this title, this is the title that will remain until you dismantle the car. At this point, the car can’t be salvaged and has no value except when it is junked or scrapped.

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

You can surely junk a car that has an expired registration. The car’s registration card is a proof of ownership document, so if it’s expired, it’s not a problem. Be advised that cars that are not registered can’t be abandoned in public locations, such as on the side of the road, in shopping center parking lots, and in other public areas.

How Do I Get a Junk Vehicle Title in South 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. If you keep your car as part of a partial settlement, you must apply for a South Dakota salvaged title with the SD DOR. You must submit the following documents and payment to your county treasurer’s office:

• A completed Application for Motor Vehicle Title and Registration (Form MV-608) – can be obtained from the SD DOR. On this title application, check the box for “Salvage Total Loss”.
• Your car’s title
• Any paperwork that was given to you from your insurance provider for the salvage title application
• Payment for the $10 South Dakota vehicle title fee

Once you have your SD salvage title, you can legally sell your salvage vehicle to a scrapyard, or junkyard, or start the rebuilding process if you choose.

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 can be as simple as junking it or scrapping it. However, one action that is NOT an option is abandoning the car. Abandoning the car may seem like the perfect plan, but doing so could leave you facing unnecessary penalties and fees.

What Happens to Abandoned Cars in South Dakota?

In South Dakota, according to Section 30, any vehicle that has been left on a public street, highway, or left on private property without the permission of the property owner or tenant is considered abandoned. An Application for Motor Vehicle Title and Registration (Form 0864-V20) must be completed and filed in the county of the applicant’s residence in order to submit a Notice of Abandoned Unpaid Repair Bill, Storage Facility Lien, or Auction Agency (Form 1026).

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

Vehicles that are left unclaimed for at least 30 days as a result of an unpaid repair bill on private property are considered abandoned and ownership of the car can be transferred to the owner of the property. For vehicles that are at least 11 years old and acquired as a result of the purpose of the property, or a similar situation, the landowner can apply for the car’s title. If the record owner is on file, the following paperwork needs to be submitted:

• Proof of notice by certified letter to the record owner and any possible lienholders of the intent to apply for a title
• An affidavit of facts
• An application for title
• Payment for the title fee

No removal agency is allowed to remove wrecked, abandoned, or impounded vehicles from private property without written consent of the landowner or tenant. If the vehicle is being removed by a vehicle removal agency, the written notice must be on a form that is provided by the South Dakota Department of Revenue (SD DOR).

If the removal agency does NOT provide notice within 10 days from the date of removal, no storage can be changed beyond the 10-day period until the notice is mailed. The notice must be sent within 45 days to qualify for an abandoned title.

Does the SD DOR Buy Old Cars?

 The South Dakota DOR doesn’t buy old cars, but they do provide you with essential tips to sell your older model car. You can check out these selling tips here. You may be surprised at the number of people who are interested in your car. Even though your car is an older model, a lot of people prefer older cars because they are less expensive than newer model cars and tend to handle wear and tear a little better than newer model cars.

Can I Scrap My Car Without a Registration Document in South Dakota?

In most situations, yes, you can scrap your car without its registration card. However, all junkyards are not the same, so the scrapping criteria may vary. If you no longer have the car’s registration card, you will need to provide the car’s title, which is another proof of ownership document.

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

Being allowed to scrap a car that’s not registered in your name sounds simple enough, right? Not so fast! No, you can’t scrap a car that’s not registered in your name in South Dakota or any other state.

If your name is not present on the car’s title or registration card, this means you are not the legal owner of the car and not authorized to make decisions regarding the car such as junking or scrapping it. Before the wheels started turning in your brain, you can’t use a bill of sale or proof of an active SD auto insurance policy as proof of ownership documentation.

Can I Scrap a Car Without a Vehicle Title in SD?

If you don’t have the car’s title, it’s okay. Things get lost sometimes, especially car documents. If you no longer have the car’s title, you can use the car’s registration card instead. You can also apply for a duplicate SD car title by completing an Application for a Duplicate Certificate of Title (Form MV-010). You are required to submit an explanation of why you are requesting a duplicate car title. You need to check the box that states “Insurance Claim/Total Loss”.

Can I Junk My Car if I Still Owe Money on the Car?

Unfortunately, if you still owe money on your car, you will need to pay off the vehicle and obtain the lien release from the financing company. The lien release must be attached to the car’s title to be junked. If you’ve already paid off the car, but misplaced the lien release, you need to ask the insurance company for a reprint of the lien release.

What Do You Need to Junk a Car in SD?

Junking a car in South Dakota is straightforward. You need to visit your local SD DOR 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 SD DOR that your car is a “total loss” before junking the car. You can contact your local SD DOR branch for more specific information.

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

Vehicles that are required to have a title in South 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)

If your car is at least 30 years old, and you do not have a record on file for ownership or a bill of sale, you can apply for a bonded car title. This type of title is a surety bond that ensures the car owner’s legal ownership of the car.

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. Depending on the junkyard, your cars may be able to be picked up on the same day, or further arrangements may need to be made to schedule pick ups on different days.

When Will I Receive My Funds from Junking My Car?

Now it’s time for the fun part! In most situations, you receive your money on-the-spot when the tow truck driver comes to tow your car to their junkyard. In most instances, 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 and the car will be taken away.

How is the Value of a Junk Car Determined?

The value of junk cars in South Dakota is determined by the following factors:

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

What Happens to Junk Cars Once They Are Purchased?

Once junk cars are purchased, they will endure a process where the fluids are drained, and the electrical components are removed. If there are any parts that can be salvaged, they will be refurbished. When everything is removed from the vehicle, the remainder of the vehicle is crushed for scrap metal.

Current Scrap Metal Prices in South Dakota?

Have you ever wondered about the current scrap metal prices in South Dakota? Probably not, 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 South Dakota, the following are the current scrap metal prices:

Metal	Price Per Pound
Aluminum	$1.09
Aluminum Alloy	$0.95
Copper	$4.08
Brass	$3.17
Lead	$0.96
Nickel	$12.25
Tin	$12.60
Zinc	$1.39
Steel Scrap	$0.20
Steel Rebar	$0.33

South Dakota Junkyard Locations

We took the time to create a list of a few junkyards in South 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.

Rapid Auto Salvage
22478 Bennett Rd
Rapid City, SD 57701
(605) 348-7169
Monday – Friday (8 AM – 5 PM)
Saturday and Sunday (Closed)

H&R Salvage, LLC
2421 W Havens Ave.
(605) 996-8204
Monday – Friday (8 AM – 5:30 PM)
Saturday (8 AM -12 PM)
Sunday (Closed)

Randy’s Auto Salvage, Inc.
13188 382nd  Ave.
Aberdeen, SD 57401
(605) 226-3841
Monday – Friday (8 AM – 5 PM)
Saturday and Sunday (Closed)

Johnson’s Auto Salvage
46926 85th St.
Tea, SD 57064
(605) 368-2448
Monday – Friday (8 AM – 5:30 PM)
Saturday (8 AM – 12 PM)
Sunday (Closed)

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