Sell my car in Philadelphia.
Failed inspection, won’t start, or just taking up a spot on your block? Get one firm written offer in minutes, free towing anywhere in Philadelphia, and your check in hand at pickup.
$0 towing across Philadelphia 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, clean it, or pay a mechanic just to get it off the street.
Failed PA inspection
Won’t pass safety or emissions? Sell it as-is instead of paying for repairs on an old car.
Won’t start or dead engine
Blown engine, bad transmission, electrical failure, or sitting with flat tires for months.
Parked on the street for months
No driveway and a car you’re tired of moving for street cleaning? Tell us where it’s parked and we’ll take it from there.
Wrecked or totaled
Collision damage, deployed airbags, or a salvage car waiting at a body shop.
Lost title or a loan
Missing title or a lender on it? See what you need before you book.
Inherited or unwanted
A relative’s car or one that has sat for years. Tell us the situation and we’ll tell you what paperwork applies.
Row home, no driveway?
Street pickup, step by step.
Most Philadelphia cars are parked on the street. Here is what to expect.
- 01
Tell us where it’s parked
When you request your offer, say whether the car is on the street, in an alley, a lot or a driveway, and anything that could make it hard to reach. Accurate details keep your offer firm.
- 02
Schedule your pickup
After you accept, a driver contacts you to set a pickup window. From offer to payment typically takes a few days, and same-day pickup is sometimes possible depending on your location and driver availability.
- 03
Be reachable at pickup
Signing the title and payment happen at pickup, so plan to be there. If you can’t be, arrange it with the driver in advance.
Parked on a city street
If it’s been sitting on the block.
In Philadelphia, abandoned vehicles are reported to 311. The police decide whether a vehicle counts as abandoned, and the owner may first receive a courtesy notice from the Police Department. Selling the car yourself usually keeps you in control of what happens to it.
The Department of Streets issues Temporary No Parking permits for moving trucks, storage containers, dumpsters and restaurant use. Towing a car isn’t one of the listed uses. If you’re unsure whether anything special applies on your block, ask the driver when they schedule your pickup.
Source: City of Philadelphia (phila.gov), “Report an abandoned vehicle” and “Apply for a Temporary No Parking (TNP) permit.” City rules can change, so check phila.gov for the latest.
Know before you sell
How to tell a real offer from a bait-and-switch.
The biggest worry 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 in Philadelphia. 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. |
| Pressure to sign a blank or incomplete title | Never sign early. We walk you through signing the title at a notary or authorized PennDOT agent. |
| An offer with no questions asked about the car | We ask about your car’s year, make, model, condition and title status first, because a real offer needs real details. |
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 do you need if my title is missing?
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 $165–$185 per ton, the 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 | $206–$305 |
| Mid-size sedan | 3,200–3,800 lb | $264–$352 |
| Full-size sedan | 3,800–4,500 lb | $314–$416 |
| Crossover or small SUV | 3,300–4,000 lb | $272–$370 |
| Large SUV | 5,000–6,000 lb | $413–$555 |
| Pickup truck | 4,800–7,000 lb | $396–$648 |
Estimates only, not a quote, and not specific to Philadelphia. Published figures vary by source and buyer. 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.
Title questions
Title, notary and plates: same rules statewide.
Philadelphia follows Pennsylvania’s rules. The seller’s signature on the title must be notarized or verified, so don’t sign it at home. A notary or tag service may charge its own fee. After the sale, remove your plate and either transfer it to another vehicle or return it to PennDOT.
Lost your title? Apply to PennDOT for a duplicate with Form MV-38O if you own the car and any lien has been satisfied. PennDOT lists the duplicate title fee at $72. For a loan, a deceased owner or other title situations, see our Pennsylvania situation-by-situation guide and the title and plate signing steps.
All of Philadelphia
Free towing across the city.
Towing is $0 anywhere in Philadelphia. Enter your ZIP code above to confirm pickup at your address.
- Downtown
Center City
Old City, Society Hill, Rittenhouse, Washington Square West and Chinatown.
- South
South Philadelphia
East Passyunk, Bella Vista, Point Breeze, Grays Ferry and the stadium district.
- North
North Philadelphia
Temple area, Fairhill, Kensington and Strawberry Mansion.
- West
West Philadelphia
University City, Cobbs Creek, Overbrook and Kingsessing.
- Northeast
Northeast Philadelphia
Mayfair, Frankford, Bustleton, Fox Chase and Port Richmond.
- Northwest
Northwest Philadelphia
Germantown, Mount Airy, Roxborough, Manayunk and Chestnut Hill.
- Fishtown
- Kensington
- Germantown
- Manayunk
- Roxborough
- Frankford
- Mayfair
- Overbrook
Outside the city limits? See our Pennsylvania page for coverage across all 67 counties.
Common questions