Sell my car in Pittsburgh.
Failed inspection, won’t start, or parked on a hilly street you’re tired of circling? Get one firm written offer in minutes, free towing anywhere in Pittsburgh, and your check in hand at pickup.
$0 towing across Pittsburgh 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.
Winter-worn and rusted
Salt-damaged frames, seized brakes and a car that’s had enough Pittsburgh winters.
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.
Expired registration or inherited
A relative’s car or one that has sat for years. Tell us the situation and we’ll tell you what paperwork applies.
Hilly street or tight block?
Tell us before pickup, step by step.
Pittsburgh cars end up on steep streets, in alleys and behind other cars. Here is what to expect.
- 01
Describe where it’s parked
When you request your offer, say whether the car is at the curb, in a driveway or an alley, on a slope, or blocked by other cars, and whether it rolls, steers and has keys. 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. If snow, ice or a blocked street makes pickup unsafe, plan to reschedule with the driver.
- 03
Be reachable at pickup
The title paperwork and your 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 Pittsburgh, neighbors can report an abandoned vehicle through 311 or the Police. In a recent citywide removal effort, the City said it was prioritizing reported vehicles whose registration and inspection have expired for more than 90 days, along with vehicles considered a hazard.
If the car is yours and it’s been parked on the street for a while, selling it yourself usually keeps you in control of what happens to it. Get your offer first, and tell us about the registration and title situation so we can tell you what you need before pickup.
Source: City of Pittsburgh (pittsburghpa.gov), “Citywide Abandoned Vehicle Blitz.” City rules and priorities can change, so check pittsburghpa.gov or call 311 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 Pittsburgh. 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 a blank or incomplete title. We walk you through the title paperwork before pickup. |
| 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 Pittsburgh. Published local figures vary widely 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.
Title questions
Title and paperwork: same rules statewide.
Pittsburgh follows Pennsylvania’s rules. 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. Tell us about your title when you request your offer and we’ll explain what you need before pickup.
All of Pittsburgh
Free towing across the city and beyond.
Towing is $0 anywhere in Pittsburgh. Enter your ZIP code above to confirm pickup at your address.
- Oakland
- Squirrel Hill
- Shadyside
- East Liberty
- Bloomfield
- Lawrenceville
- South Side
- North Side
- Mount Washington
- Brookline
- Carrick
- Hazelwood
- Penn Hills
- Bethel Park
- Monroeville
- Cranberry Township
Outside the city? See our Pennsylvania page for coverage across all 67 counties.
Common questions