Sell my car in Los Angeles.
Won’t start, failed smog, or no pink slip? Get one firm written offer in minutes, free towing anywhere in LA, and your check in hand at pickup. No LA traffic, no curbside haggling.
$0 towing across LA One firm written offer Paid by check at pickup
Skip the repair bill
Whatever shape your car is in, we buy it as-is.
You don’t need to fix it, smog it, or pay a mechanic just to get it off your street or out of your driveway.
Won’t start or dead engine
Blown engine, bad transmission, electrical failure, or a car that has sat with flat tires for months.
Failed smog
A car that can’t pass a Smog Check is hard to sell privately in LA. We buy it as it is.
Wrecked or totaled
Freeway fender-bender, deployed airbags, or a car waiting at a body shop.
Parked on the street
A car that hasn’t moved in weeks risks a ticket and a tow. Sell it before the city moves it.
No pink slip or a loan
Missing title or a lender on it? See what California requires before you book.
Inherited or unwanted
A relative’s car or one that has sat in the carport for years. Tell us the situation and we’ll point you to the paperwork.
LA street rules
LA’s 72-hour rule — and dead cars on the street.
The Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) says any vehicle that has been abandoned and not moved for 72 hours will first receive a citation and then be impounded.
The City’s removal criteria also cover inoperable vehicles (disabled, or missing an engine, windshield, tires or other parts critical to safe operation) and unregistered vehicles. Neighbors can report them on the City’s Abandoned Vehicle Hotline, 1-800-ABANDON (1-800-222-6366).
If your car doesn’t run and lives on the street, selling it now costs you nothing. Waiting can cost you a ticket, a tow and daily storage.
If the city tows it
What a police tow costs in Los Angeles.
LAPD- and LADOT-ordered tows go to Official Police Garages. These are the 2026 rates set by the Board of Police Commissioners for a standard vehicle:
| Charge | Paying by card | Paying another way |
|---|---|---|
| Tow, first hour | $220 | $215 |
| Each additional half-hour | $109 | $106 |
| Storage, per day | $68 | $66 |
| Mileage, per mile | $12 | $12 |
| Electric vehicle surcharge | $77 | $75 |
Source: Los Angeles Police Department, Board of Police Commissioners report BPC 25-326, Official Police Garage towing and storage rates for 2026. Citations and other City fees are extra. A free pickup from us costs $0, and we pay you.
How it works in LA
Selling your car in Los Angeles, step by step.
California DMV rules apply across LA. Here’s the short version; the full detail is on our California page.
- 01
Get your offer
Enter your VIN or year, make and model and your LA ZIP code for one firm written offer.
- 02
Book a free pickup
Pick a time that works for you. Driveway, carport, street or parking garage: we come to you.
- 03
Sign the pink slip
Sign the California title over at pickup. Never sign a blank title or hand one over before you’re paid.
- 04
Leave the plates on
In California, license plates generally stay with the vehicle.
- 05
Get paid
Your check is handed to you at pickup, in exchange for the signed title and keys.
- 06
File your release of liability
Submit a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (REG 138) with the DMV within 5 calendar days, so later tickets or tows aren’t on you.
“$1,500 for junk cars”?
The state’s car retirement program, in brief.
The “$1,500 for junk cars” you may have heard about is the Bureau of Automotive Repair’s Consumer Assistance Program. It pays $1,350, or $1,500–$2,000 if you meet the income test, but only for a car that runs, is driven to a BAR dismantler, is registered (lapsed 120 days or less), has the title in your name and meets BAR’s smog rules.
If your car qualifies, check it first. If it doesn’t run or isn’t registered, it won’t qualify, and we’ll make you an offer. See the full comparison on our California page.
Know before you sell
How to tell a real offer from a bait-and-switch.
The biggest worry LA sellers have is a high quote that shrinks when the tow truck arrives. These are the common tricks and what JunkStar does instead.
| What to watch for | How JunkStar works |
|---|---|
| A high quote that drops at pickup | You get one firm written offer upfront. It stays firm at pickup as long as your description of the car is accurate. |
| Surprise towing, processing or “environmental” fees | Towing is $0 across Los Angeles. The amount on your accepted offer is the amount you are paid. |
| Paid later, mailed, or after the car is gone | Payment is handed to you at pickup, in exchange for your signed title and keys. |
| “No pink slip? No problem” promises | California needs ownership documents to transfer or junk a car. If yours is missing, start with a replacement title. |
| A buyer who won’t say who they are | Ask any buyer for their business name, and get the payout in writing. |
Comparing buyers? Ask each one: What exact amount do I receive at pickup? Is towing free, with no deductions? Will you put the quote in writing? How do you pay? What paperwork do you need from me?
What is it worth?
What affects your offer.
Your firm offer comes from your VIN and condition answers. For a rough idea first, here is the scrap-weight floor: vehicle weight times a scrap rate of $175–$195 per ton, the California range used in published 2026 estimates. A car with sellable parts, or a truck, can be worth more than its weight.
| Vehicle type | Typical weight | Scrap-weight estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Compact car | 2,500–3,300 lb | $219–$322 |
| Mid-size sedan | 3,200–3,800 lb | $280–$371 |
| Full-size sedan | 3,800–4,500 lb | $333–$439 |
| Crossover or small SUV | 3,300–4,000 lb | $289–$390 |
| Large SUV | 5,000–6,000 lb | $438–$585 |
| Pickup truck | 4,800–7,000 lb | $420–$683 |
Estimates only, not a quote, and not specific to Los Angeles. Published figures vary by source and buyer, so ask for a written quote. What also moves your offer: whether the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still on the car, whether it runs, the make and model, and your title or lien status. Leave the battery, wheels and catalytic converter attached so your offer stays locked.
Across Los Angeles
Free towing across LA.
From the Valley to the South Bay, towing is always free.
- Downtown LA
- Hollywood
- Koreatown
- Silver Lake
- Echo Park
- Boyle Heights
- East Los Angeles
- South LA
- Westside
- Venice
- Westchester
- San Pedro
- Wilmington
- North Hollywood
- Van Nuys
- Sherman Oaks
- Reseda
- Northridge
- Pacoima
- Sylmar
- Glendale
- Pasadena
- Inglewood
- Burbank
Don’t see your neighborhood? Enter any Los Angeles County ZIP code above to confirm pickup at your address.
Common questions