The time has come for you to junk your car. Maybe you’ve been on the fence about junking your car over the years and couldn’t finalize your decision until now. Don’t worry! By the time you finish reading this article, you will know the steps you need to take to junk your car in the Mountain State.
How Do I Prepare to Sell My Car to a Junkyard in West Virginia?
So, let’s take things one step at a time. Before you can junk your car, you need to make sure you have the required payments and documents, such as the junk car’s title and registration card and payment for all applicable towing fees, if applicable. We get it, you’re busy and have better things to do with your time than spending most of your day trying to junk your car. We want to make sure you’re prepared to help you avoid delays.
Did you misplace the car’s title? No worries. It happens to the best of us. If you no longer have the car’s title, you will need to apply for a West Virginia duplicate car title by completing an Affidavit of Duplicate Title for a Vehicle or Watercraft (Form DMV-4-TR). You need to complete this application and submit it to your local West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (WV DMV) office. Other essential information you need is the car’s vehicle identification number (VIN).
Junk Car Removal Companies That Buy Junk Cars in West Virginia
- Peddle or call them at (844) 334-0582
- Wheelzy or call them at (855) 602-2139
- CarBrain or call them at (877) 877-7911
Junk Car Removal Service Locations In West Virginia
You can sell your unwanted car to a junk car removal service that will pick up your car in the following areas of West Virginia:
- Charleston, WV
- Huntington, WV
- Parkersburg, WV
- Morgantown, WV
- Wheeling, WV
- Weirton, WV
- Martinsburg, WV
- Fairmont, WV
- Beckley, WV
- Clarksburg, WV
How Much You Can Sell Your Car for In West Virginia
| Make | Model | Year | City | Sold For |
| Toyota | Rav4 | 1997 | Charleston, WV | $ 185 |
| Toyota | Camry | 2007 | Huntington, WV | $ 425 |
| GMC | Suburban | 1998 | Parkersburg, WV | $ 380 |
| Jeep | Grand Cherokee | 2010 | Charleston, WV | $ 935 |
| Volkswagen | Jetta | 2009 | Charleston, WV | $ 415 |
Why is the Car’s VIN Needed if I Am Selling it to a Junkyard?
A car’s VIN is like a human fingerprint. The VIN is a unique 17-digit code that identifies the car. This number provides information about the vehicle’s model, make, and serial number. Although you’re selling your car to a junkyard, the junkyard is responsible for ensuring the VIN matches the description of the car you want to junk. Also, West Virginia junkyards are required to report information about the cars they junk and dismantle.
If I Repair My Car, is it Still Considered “Junk”?
This is an awesome and common question. With junk cars, you are NOT allowed to repair your car to be able to operate it legally. Why? Once your car has been deemed “junk” by your auto insurance provider, there is nothing you can do to change this. Junk cars can NOT be legally operated on roads and highways. So, repairing your car is NOT an option in this situation. If you have a junk car, the only thing you can do is sell it to a junkyard.
What Happens If I Don’t Want to Junk My Car?
Here’s where things can get a little tricky. Consider this, if you don’t want to junk your car because of sentimental value or a different reason, what are you going to do with the car? Since you can’t drive the car legally, what else can you do with it? This means the car will sit on your property, basically rotting.
Here’s something else to think about. The West Virginia Code (Chapter 17. Roads and Highways-Article 24) states that ANY enforcement agency that has knowledge of or discovers or finds any abandoned motor vehicle, junked motor vehicle, or inoperative household appliance on EITHER public or private property can take it into its custody and possession.
So, knowing this, you should junk your car and NOT leave it sitting on your property. You could face different penalties and fees that you can easily avoid by selling your car to a junkyard.
How Do I Sell My Car to a Junkyard in West Virginia?
Selling your car to a WV junkyard is a lot easier than you may have anticipated. First, you need to find a junkyard. If you don’t feel like locating one, no worries! We will provide a handful of junkyards in West Virginia to help you through the junking process.
However, it’s best to choose a junkyard that’s local to you or not too far from you. Keep in mind that you can’t legally drive a junk car, so you will need to have the car towed. You should also keep the towing fees in mind. Most tow company charge by the mile, but some junkyards will pick up your car free of charge.
Now that we’ve settled that, you will also be required to provide information about your junk car and information about yourself. Most junkyards will ask you for the following information:
- Vehicle identification number (VIN)
- Model, make, year, and color of the car
- Description of ANY vehicle damage
- Identification of the car’s working parts
- The physical location of the car (the address where the car is located)
You will also be asked to provide some or all of the following information about yourself:
- First and last name (legal name)
- Phone number
- Email address
Once you provide the required information, you will be provided with a quote. It’s your choice to accept or decline the quote. For any reason you decide to decline the quote, that’s not a problem. If you decline the quote for your car, you are not obligated to junk your car with that particular junkyard and are free to choose a different junkyard.
However, if you decide to junk your car with a particular junkyard, you are also agreeing to the junkyard’s terms and conditions. It’s important to understand the terms you agree to.
Do You Need the Car’s Title to Junk a Car in West Virginia?
It’s best to have the required documents on hand. However, like everything else in the world, there are specific situations where certain things don’t apply. If you don’t have the car’s title, you will need to provide the following documents:
- Your driver’s license
- A copy of the car’s registration card
- Photo ID
A bill of sale will not be required for this scenario. You also need to be aware of the West Virginia salvage title/junk car eligibility requirements.
You can ONLY obtain a WV DMV salvage/junk title in West Virginia if you are the owner of a motor vehicle that meets West Virginia’s salvage/junk classification. According to WV law, cars will qualify for a salvage/junk title under the following circumstances:
- The vehicle has been paid off as a total loss by an auto insurance company (this could have been the result of the car sustaining damages that exceed 74 percent of its actual market value, otherwise, it was because the vehicle was damaged by a flood or fire.
How Much Does It Cost to Junk a Car in West Virginia?
The cost of junking a car in West Virginia varies. Junk car fees depend on the towing fees that are associated with the junkyard. Also, if you have roadside assistance, such as AAA or similar roadside assistance coverage, you may be able to have your car towed this way, but you will still be charged a fee if roadside assistance or towing coverage is NOT active on your policy.
Again, we will state that it is NOT a good idea to drive a junk car ANYWHERE even if it is in operational order. You will be fined and face penalties because it is ILLEGAL to operate a junk car on the roads and highways of West Virginia.
What is a Junk Title in West Virginia?
In West Virginia, a junk title is given to cars that are severely damaged and non-operable. These cars do not have resale value other than the parts that can get a “non-repairable” designation. Cars that have a junk title can’t be repaired and they must be sold to a scrap yard or destroyed at a junkyard.
Can You Junk a Car With an Expired Registration in West Virginia?
Yes. You can junk a car even if the car’s registration card has expired. The purpose of providing the car’s registration card is to prove that you are the legal owner of the car, so if the registration card is expired, you won’t get turned away, as long as you have it.
Can I Get a Title for My Junk Car?
Most states, including West Virginia, will not title a junk car. However, if you have the car’s original title, before it was deemed “junk” by your auto insurance company, you can use this as proof of ownership of the vehicle.
What Paperwork is Required to Scrap a Car in West Virginia?
When you’re ready to scrap your car, make sure you have the following:
- The West Virginia 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 are required to provide the 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 Junk Title in West Virginia?
Yes and no. The ONLY way you can sell a car with a junk title is if you sell the car to a junkyard. You can NOT sell a junk car to an individual like you would a new or used car. So, in other words, unless you’re selling your car to a junkyard, you can’t sell your junk car.
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, you may be thinking, you can leave (abandon) the vehicle, and it will be someone else’s problem. Right?
Not so fast. Abandoning your car is the LAST thing you want to do. While your plan seems “foolproof”, everything is NOT as it seems. Abandoning your car leaves the door of opportunity open for you to be required to pay fees and penalties.
What Happens to Abandoned Cars in West Virginia?
As we previously stated, abandoning your car in West Virginia is NOT your junk car solution. Let’s dig into this scenario a little deeper. According to West Virginia Code Chapter 17, Section 24A, authority figures (any enforcement agency that has knowledge of or discovers or finds any abandoned motor vehicle or junked motor vehicle) on either public or private property is allowed to take the said motor vehicle into its custody and possession. However, before any enforcement agency takes possession of this property (the vehicle) the owner of the property and the owner of the vehicle will be notified and provided with a 30-day by registered or certified mail regarding the action that will be taken unless the vehicle is restored to functional use.
HOWEVER, since junk cars can NOT be restored, only junked, you will need to properly discard this car by junking it. Abandoning or incorrectly discarding your junk vehicle could result in a misdemeanor, fines, and other consequences. Junk your vehicle correctly by taking it to a junkyard to avoid these penalties and fees.
How Do You Properly Dispose of an Abandoned or Junk Vehicle in West Virginia?
To properly dispose of an abandoned vehicle in West Virginia, the abandoned car can be restored to operational value and retitled once it passes WV’s safety inspection standards. However, this is NOT an option for junk cars. To properly dispose of a junk car, it needs to be dismantled at a junkyard.
Chapter 17, Article 24 of the West Virginia Code states failure to comply with the abandoned/junk car law in WV will result in the car being sold at public auction or sold for parts at a licensed salvage yard or demolisher. To get more info on properly disposing of an abandoned or junk vehicle, you can click here.
Can I Junk My Car Without the Registration Card in West Virginia?
In most scenarios, yes, you can junk your car without the registration card. The registration card is a necessary document that proves ownership of the car. If you don’t have the car’s registration card, you can use the car’s original title as proof of ownership.
Can I Junk a Car That is NOT Registered in My Name?
Another good question! No, you can NOT junk or scrap a car that is NOT registered in your name. Why? If your name does not appear on the car’s title and registration card, you are NOT the legal owner of the car, which means you do NOT have the authority to make decisions regarding the car, such as junking, scrapping, or selling it.
Be advised that you will need to provide official documentation that proves you are the car’s legal owner. You can NOT use a bill of sale or proof of auto insurance that’s in your name as proof of ownership documentation.
Can I Junk My Car if I Still Owe Money on the Car?
If you still owe money on your car, you must pay off the loan on the car and obtain lien release documents from the financing company. The lien release for the car must be attached to the car’s title to be junked. If you have already paid off the loan on the car, but have misplaced the lien release, you will need to speak with the auto insurance company and ask for a reprint of the lien release.
What Do You Need to Junk a Car in WV?
To junk a car in West Virginia, you need to visit your local WV DMV office 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, meaning you did NOT notify the WV DMV that your car is a “total loss” before actually junking the car. You can contact your local WV DMV branch for more specific information.
Which Cars Are Required to Have a Title in WV?
Vehicles that are required to have a West Virginia title 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?
If you need to junk more than one car, that shouldn’t be a problem as long as you have the necessary paperwork to junk each car, such as the titles and registration cards. Also, if you’re junking multiple cars, you’ll need to confirm this information with the junkyard you intend on using, so they can prepare more than one tow truck. Depending on the equipment the junkyard has, you may be able to junk multiple cars in one day. However, you may be able to junk multiple cars at the same junkyard, but you will need to schedule different pickup days for each car. Again, check with the junkyard you plan on using for more specific details.
When Will I Receive My Funds from Junking My Car?
It’s the million-dollar question. Show me the money! In most junk car scenarios, you will receive your funds once the tow driver makes sure the VIN matches the vehicle description you provided, including damages the car sustained. If everything checks out, you will receive your cash before your car is hauled off to the junkyard.
How is the Value of a Junk Car Determined?
The value of junk cars in West Virginia is determined by, but not limited to 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 any parts can be salvaged, they will be refurbished. When everything is removed from the vehicle, the remainder of the vehicle is crushed for scrap metal, which can be repurposed for other uses.
Current Scrap Metal Prices in West Virginia?
We’re guessing you probably haven’t had the current scrap metal prices in West Virginia on your mind until now. The information we’ve provided below 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 West Virginia, the following are the current scrap metal prices:
| Metal | Price Per Pound |
| Aluminum | $0.96 |
| Aluminum Alloy | $0.80 |
| Copper | $3.71 |
| Brass | $2.86 |
| Lead | $0.89 |
| Nickel | $9.51 |
| Tin | $10.61 |
| Zinc | $1.22 |
| Steel Scrap | $0.19 |
| Steel Rebar | $0.30 |
West Virginia Junkyard Locations
We took the time to create a list of a handful of junkyards in West Virginia 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.
Salisbury Auto Salvage
288 Pumpkin Center Dr.
Clay, WV 25043
(304) 587-2031
Monday – Friday (9 AM – 4 PM)
Saturday and Sunday (Closed)
Lost Creek Salvage
270 W Milford St.
Lost Creek, WV 26385
(304) 745-5600
Monday – Friday (8 AM – 5 PM)
Saturday (8 AM – 5 PM)
Sunday (Closed)
A&M Wrecker Service Inc.
137 Golden Gate Lane
Pool, WV 26684
(304) 619-8693
Open 24 hours
60 Grit Salvage and Restoration
1020 Shatto Rd.
Ripley, WV 25271
(304) 377-1826
Call for business hours
You’re ready to junk your car in West Virginia! Don’t forget to make sure you have the necessary paperwork before heading to your local NW DMV. Happy junking!
