How to sell a car for parts, step by step

1. Decide: whole or in parts

Selling the car whole means one buyer, one pickup and one set of paperwork. Parting it out can bring more money if you have the time, tools, space and a model people want parts for, but you're left with a shell that still has to be sold or scrapped. Part it out or sell it whole lays the two side by side.

2. Find the title, or order a replacement now

The title proves the car is yours. If you can't find it, order a replacement today, because some states build in a wait: North Carolina sits on a duplicate application for 15 days (NCDMV form MVR-4). Fees and the few narrow exceptions for older cars are in our state-by-state no-title guide.

3. Clear any lien

Any loan ever recorded on the car needs a release from the lender. Oregon's rule is typical: a car with an unpaid loan can't be sold, and the lender either signs the title or hands you a signed release (Oregon DMV). When the loan is long paid but the lien still shows, ask the lender for a release letter now.

4. Gather your papers

Have the title, your photo ID and the keys if you have them. No keys is fine: the title proves ownership, not the keys. Keep the registration handy too.

5. Describe the car honestly, and take photos

Note the year, make, model and mileage, and whether it runs. Note what's damaged and what's missing. Then add what decides how it gets loaded: does it roll, where is it parked, and are the wheels on. Take a few photos in daylight.

Honesty protects your price. An offer made on a description gets checked against the car at pickup, so a problem left out comes back off the number later.

6. Get two or three offers

Ask each buyer the same things: is this the price you'll pay at pickup, is the tow included, what paperwork do you need, and how do you pay. Turn down any check written for more than the agreed price (FTC). The full set of questions is on who buys cars for parts.

7. Clear out the car

Check the glove box, the trunk, under the seats and the spare-tire well. Take the garage door opener, the toll transponder and any parking permits. A toll tag left behind can keep billing your account.

8. Sign the title the right way

Sign your name just as the front of the title prints it. Colorado says your signature must match it exactly (Colorado DMV). If two owners are listed, both may need to sign; see titles in someone else's name for the "and" vs "or" rule.

Fill in the buyer's name before you hand it over. Never give anyone a title signed with the buyer's line blank. Georgia makes that a misdemeanor (Georgia DOR).

For a car of model year 2011 or newer that's under 20 years old, the odometer reading goes on the title, and both you and the buyer sign it (Oregon DMV).

Some states want a notary, or an official, to witness the seller's signature:

Everywhere else, a plain signature on the title is the norm for a private sale, but read the back of your own title before you sign. If your state wants a notary, wait and sign with the notary watching.

9. Write a bill of sale

Some states want a bill of sale with every private sale, including Connecticut (CT DMV), Iowa (Iowa Admin. Code 701-250.2(3)), Nebraska (Nebraska DMV), New Jersey (NJ MVC) and Utah (Utah DMV). Where it isn't required, write one anyway. It's your proof of the sale date.

Put on it the date, both names and addresses, the year, make, model and VIN, the price, and your signature. Connecticut's list of what a homemade bill of sale must include is a good model (CT DMV).

10. Take the plates off

Most states treat the plates as yours, so remove them before the car goes. They stay with the car in a few states, including California and Minnesota. Check your state on after you sell.

11. File the notice of sale

Where your state has a sale notice or a release-of-liability filing, send it in and keep the confirmation. Deadlines are short in some states: 5 days for California's REG 138 (CA DMV) and 5 business days in Washington (RCW 46.12.650).

12. Cancel the insurance, last

Only once the plates are off and the notice is filed. New York, for one, wants the plates and registration turned in before the coverage stops (NY DMV). Get the cancellation date from your insurer in writing.

The checklist

1. Decide: whole or in parts.
2. Find the title, or order a replacement.
3. Get any lien released.
4. Gather the title, your ID, and the keys if you have them.
5. Write an honest description and take photos.
6. Get two or three offers; ask if each is final at pickup and if the tow is included.
7. Clear out the car, the toll tag and the garage opener.
8. Sign the title to match the printed name, fill in the buyer's name, and use a notary if your state requires one.
9. Write a bill of sale and keep a copy.
10. Take the plates off unless your state keeps them on the car.
11. File your state's notice of sale and keep the confirmation.
12. Cancel the insurance last.

How it goes with us

Describe the car online or call (877) 421-6008, and the offer is made on that description. Pickup is free whether or not it runs, and the car is checked against what you said when it's collected. The details are on how it works.