How Much Does It Cost to Junk a Car?
A common worry is that junking a car will cost you money — towing fees, disposal fees, paperwork fees. With a legitimate licensed junk car buyer, it’s the opposite: it costs you nothing, and you get paid. Here’s how the money actually works, and the fees to watch out for so you keep every dollar you’re owed.
Junking a Car Should Cost You $0
With a reputable, licensed junk car buyer, towing is free, there’s no disposal or paperwork fee, and you walk away with cash. You should never pay to have a junk car picked up by a buyer who is purchasing it — the metal and parts have real value, and a fair buyer builds the towing into the offer instead of charging you for it.
So How Much Do You Get Paid?
In Metro Detroit, junk car payouts typically range from $300 to $5,000. What you get depends on the year, make, and model, the car’s curb weight, which sets its scrap-steel value, whether the catalytic converter is present, any reusable parts, and current scrap-metal prices.
When Junking a Car Could Cost You — and How to Avoid It
Some buyers quote a high number, then deduct a towing charge at pickup. Avoid it by getting the offer confirmed as all-in, including towing, before the truck is dispatched.
A legitimate buyer purchasing your car does not charge you to dispose of it. Treat these as a red flag.
If you drive the car to a yard yourself, some pay less or charge for tires or fluids. A buyer who comes to you and pays cash avoids that hassle.
A hauling service that only removes and dumps a car may charge you. A licensed buyer purchases the car, so you get paid, not charged — choose a buyer, not a hauler.
A duplicate Michigan title from the Secretary of State costs $15. That’s a state fee, not something we charge, and for vehicles 15 years or older it’s often unnecessary under MCL 257.233.
What You Should Never Pay a Junk Car Buyer For
- Towing or pickup
- Paperwork or Secretary of State filing (a licensed recycler handles it)
- ‘Processing’ or ‘admin’ fees
- Disposal or environmental fees
If a buyer tries to deduct any of these at pickup, that’s your cue to walk away.
Do You Ever Have to Pay to Junk a Car?
With a legitimate licensed buyer, essentially never — the scrap metal and parts give the car value, so money flows to you, not away from you. The only money that might leave your pocket is optional and small: a $15 state duplicate-title fee if you choose to get one, or a charge from a pure junk-removal/hauling service if you hire one instead of a buyer. Pick a buyer who pays cash and tows free, and junking your car costs you nothing.
How It Works With Us
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Call (313) 479-3777 or get a quote online with your year, make, model, and ZIP.
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We give you an all-in cash offer that already includes free towing.
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Our driver comes to you, often the same day.
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You get cash on the spot and we handle the paperwork.
Get a Cash Offer on Your Car
Tell us the year, make, and model — we’ll text back a firm offer with free towing included.
Junk Car Costs — FAQ
Does it cost money to junk a car?
No. With a licensed junk car buyer it costs nothing — towing is free and you get paid cash. Watch out for buyers who add surprise tow, disposal, or processing fees at pickup.
How much do you get for junking a car?
Typically $300 to $5,000 in Metro Detroit, depending on the year, make, model, curb weight, whether the catalytic converter is present, reusable parts, and current scrap-metal prices.
Do I have to pay for towing?
No. Free towing is included in a legitimate offer. You should never pay to have a car picked up by the buyer who is purchasing it.
Is there a fee to junk a car without a title?
Not from us. A duplicate title from the Michigan Secretary of State costs $15, but for vehicles 15 model years or older, MCL 257.233 often makes a title unnecessary.
Why do some places charge to take my junk car?
Those are usually junk-removal or hauling services that dispose of the car rather than buy it. A licensed buyer purchases the car, so you get paid instead of charged.
What fees should I watch out for?
Surprise tow fees, 'disposal' or 'environmental' fees, and 'processing' or 'admin' fees deducted at pickup. Insist on an all-in offer that includes towing before the truck is dispatched.
Junk Your Car for Free — and Get Paid
One call gets you an all-in cash offer with free towing included. No fees, no deductions at pickup, cash on the spot.