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JunkStarNATIONWIDE JUNK CAR BUYER
(323) 503-4171Call usGet my offer

Sell my car in Washington state.

Won’t start, wrecked, or missing the title? Get one firm written offer in minutes, free towing anywhere in Washington state, and your check in hand at pickup. We walk you through the Department of Licensing paperwork first.

$0 towing across Washington One firm written offer Paid by check at pickup

No obligation Free towing(323) 503-4171

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 out of your driveway.

  1. Won’t start or dead engine

    Blown engine, bad transmission, electrical failure, or sitting with flat tires for months.

  2. Wrecked or totaled

    Collision damage, deployed airbags, or a salvage car waiting at a body shop.

  3. Rain-rusted and worn out

    Moss, rust and a car that has had enough Pacific Northwest winters.

  4. Expired registration

    Washington lets you sell a vehicle with an expired registration. Tell us and we’ll take it from there.

  5. Lost title or a loan

    Missing title or a lender on it? See what you need before you book.

  6. 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.

Washington paperwork

Selling a car in Washington, in order.

These are the Department of Licensing (DOL) steps for selling a vehicle. We walk you through them before pickup.

  1. 01

    Find your title

    A vehicle must have a valid title before it can be sold. If you can’t find yours, DOL says a replacement can take 4 to 8 weeks, and that an Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest or an Affidavit in Lieu of Title is also acceptable. A vehicle licensing office can go over your options.

  2. 02

    Sign a bill of sale

    Both you and the buyer sign a Bill of Sale, unless the sale price and date are on the title. Each side keeps a copy.

  3. 03

    Sign over the title

    Every owner shown on the title signs. If your vehicle is 20 years old or newer, an odometer disclosure statement is required unless it is exempt.

  4. 04

    Take your plates off

    DOL says sellers are legally required to remove the license plates. You can transfer them to the same kind of vehicle you own, or surrender them at a vehicle licensing office. The buyer can’t use them.

  5. 05

    Remove your personal items

    Take anything with your name, address or photo, such as registration or proof of insurance.

  6. 06

    File your Report of Sale

    You must submit a Report of Sale within 5 days of the sale date; weekends and state holidays don’t count. It’s required when you give a car to a wrecking yard or dispose of it, and it protects you from towing charges and other liability from the new owner.

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 forHow JunkStar works
A high quote that drops at pickupYou 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” feesTowing is $0 in Washington. The amount on your accepted offer is the amount you are paid.
Paid later, mailed, or after the car is gonePayment is handed to you at pickup, in exchange for your signed title and keys.
Pressure to sign a blank or incomplete titleNever sign a blank or incomplete title. We walk you through the title paperwork before pickup.
A buyer who won’t say who they areIn Washington, a business that buys wrecked vehicles to dismantle must hold a state wrecker license. Ask any buyer for their business name and license, 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 do you need if my title is missing?

Title questions, answered

Your situation, what you need.

Washington cares about ownership paperwork, not whether your car runs. Find your situation:

Your situationWhat it means in Washington
I have the title in my nameYou’re set. Every owner shown on the title signs it over, and you file a Report of Sale within 5 days.
I lost my titleDOL lists an Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest or an Affidavit in Lieu of Title as acceptable, or you can get a replacement title, which can take 4 to 8 weeks. All legal and registered owners sign the Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest; if you sign it in front of a vehicle licensing agent, the agent can certify the signatures and you don’t need a notary.
There’s a loan or lien on itAsk your lender about releasing their interest before you book. Tell us what’s on your title and we’ll tell you what’s needed.
The owner has passed awayDOL says you may sell a vehicle on behalf of someone who has died as long as you legally own it or are legally allowed to act for them. Tell us the situation before you sign anything.
The registration expired, or it won’t startDOL says you may sell a vehicle with an expired registration, and we buy cars that don’t run. We tow it for $0.
It has an out-of-state titleDOL says you may sell a vehicle with an out-of-state title. Tell us when you request your offer.

Source: Washington State Department of Licensing (dol.wa.gov): “Sell a vehicle” and “Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest.” Rules and fees can change, so confirm with DOL before you file.

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 $160–$180 per ton, the Washington range used in published 2026 estimates. A car with sellable parts, or a truck, can be worth more than its weight.

Vehicle typeTypical weightScrap-weight estimate
Compact car2,500–3,300 lb$200–$297
Mid-size sedan3,200–3,800 lb$256–$342
Full-size sedan3,800–4,500 lb$304–$405
Crossover or small SUV3,300–4,000 lb$264–$360
Large SUV5,000–6,000 lb$400–$540
Pickup truck4,800–7,000 lb$384–$630

Estimates only, not a quote, and not specific to any city. Published Washington 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.

Statewide coverage

Free towing across Washington state.

Whether your car is on a Seattle street, a Spokane driveway or a rural road, towing is always free.

  • Seattle
  • Tacoma
  • Spokane
  • Vancouver
  • Bellevue
  • Kent
  • Everett
  • Renton
  • Federal Way
  • Spokane Valley
  • Yakima
  • Kirkland
  • Bellingham
  • Auburn
  • Redmond
  • Kennewick
  • Pasco
  • Richland
  • Olympia
  • Lakewood
  • Puyallup
  • Marysville

Don’t see your town? Enter any Washington ZIP code above to confirm pickup at your address.

Common questions

Washington seller questions

How much will you pay for my junk car in Washington state?
It depends on your car’s weight, make and model, condition, and whether the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still on it. As a rough scrap-weight floor, common vehicle types work out to about $200–$630 at $160–$180 per ton; trucks and cars with sellable parts can bring more. Enter your VIN and ZIP code above for one firm written number in about two minutes.
Is JunkStar legit? How do I know the offer is real?
You see one firm written offer before you commit, towing is $0, and payment is handed to you at pickup. The price holds at pickup when your description of the car is accurate. If any buyer won’t put the exact payout in writing or adds fees at pickup, walk away.
What is the Report of Sale, and do I file one when I junk a car?
Yes. Washington requires the seller to submit a Report of Sale within 5 days of the sale date; weekends and state holidays don’t count. DOL lists giving a vehicle to a wrecking yard and disposing of it among the cases that need one. It protects you from towing charges and other liability from the new owner. You’ll need the plate number, sale date, sale price, buyer’s name and address, and the VIN.
What do I do with my license plates?
Remove them. DOL says sellers are legally required to take the plates off the vehicle, which protects you from towing charges, parking tickets, speed camera tickets and toll bills. You can transfer the plates to the same kind of vehicle you own, such as a car plate to another car, or surrender them at a vehicle licensing office. The buyer can’t use them.
Can I sell a junk car without a title in Washington?
A vehicle must have a valid title before it can be sold, but DOL also accepts an Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest or an Affidavit in Lieu of Title if yours is lost. A replacement title can take 4 to 8 weeks. A vehicle licensing office can go over your options. Tell us when you request your offer and we’ll explain what applies to your car.
Do I need a notary to sell my car in Washington?
Not for the Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest: if you sign it in front of a vehicle licensing agent, the agent can certify the signatures and you don’t need to have it notarized. Check with DOL for any other form you use.
Can I sell a car that belonged to a family member who passed away?
Often yes. DOL says you may sell a vehicle on behalf of someone who has died as long as you legally own the car or are legally allowed to act on their behalf. Don’t sign the title until you’ve confirmed you’re allowed to.
Can I sell a car with an expired registration?
Yes. DOL says you may sell a vehicle with an expired registration. We also buy cars that failed to start, were wrecked, or have sat for years, and we tow for free.
Are there any towing or hookup fees in Washington?
Never. Towing is 100% included across Washington state. The dollar amount on your accepted offer is the exact amount on the check handed to you at pickup.
How fast can you pick up my car, and do I need to be there?
From offer to payment typically takes a few days. Same-day pickup is sometimes possible depending on your location and driver availability, so don’t plan around it. Plan to be there: the title paperwork and payment happen at pickup. If you can’t be, arrange it with the driver in advance.

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