Nobody should give you a price without being able to explain it. Here is exactly what moves the number up or down.

Year, Make and Model

Common vehicles with lots of others still on San Diego roads are worth more, because their parts sell. A Civic, Camry, F-150 or Silverado usually brings more than a rare import that nobody is hunting parts for.

Mechanical Condition

A vehicle that starts and drives is worth more than one that does not, because it can be resold instead of dismantled. That said, a car with a dead engine still has real value, so never assume it is worthless.

Body And Interior Condition

Straight panels, unbroken glass and a clean interior raise the number. Heavy collision damage, flood damage or a stripped interior lower it, but they do not take it to zero.

Mileage

Lower mileage means more remaining life in the engine, transmission and drivetrain, which lifts the resale value. On very old vehicles mileage matters much less than condition.

Parts Demand

Some components carry serious value on their own: catalytic converters, alloy wheels, good tires, working alternators, intact body panels and undamaged airbag modules. This is why Junk Car Value is often higher than sellers expect.

Title Status

A clean title in your name brings the strongest price. Salvage and non-repairable titles are still perfectly sellable to us, they simply price differently.

Scrap Metal Prices

Steel and aluminum prices move week to week, and they set the floor under every vehicle we buy. This is one reason a quote from three months ago is not the same as a quote today.

Location

We tow free across San Diego County, so your ZIP code does not reduce your offer. We only ask so we can schedule the right driver at the right time.