Questions and guides
Junk car questions, answered straight
Titles, paperwork, plates, pickup, and what actually moves an offer. Written for people selling or recycling a car in Denver and across Colorado, with links to the official Colorado sources where the law matters.
All guides
Can you sell a junk car without a title in Colorado?Duplicate titles, the recycling statute, and when a missing title is a real problem.What paperwork do you need to sell a junk car in Colorado?A checklist: title, ID, lien release, power of attorney, and bill of sale.How is a junk car's cash offer figured?The factors that move the number, and why a quote should not change at pickup.What happens to a car after it is recycled?Checks, fluids, refrigerant, parts, and the shredder.After you sell a junk car: plates, insurance, registration, and liabilityPlates stay with you, release of liability, insurance, and tolls.Getting a non-running car picked up: access, keys, and tiresGarages, alleys, flat tires, missing keys, and what the truck needs.Catalytic converter questions when you junk a carLeave it on, stolen converters, and Colorado's rules for detached ones.Scrap it or sell it privately? An honest comparisonWhen a private sale makes sense, and when it is not worth the hassle.Selling a junk car that still has a lien or a loanPaid-off loans with old liens, and cars still being paid for.Selling a car that belonged to someone who diedJoint titles, beneficiary forms, small estate affidavits, and court letters.Junk car pickup checklist: what to do before the truck arrivesPersonal items, plates, toll tags, keys, and clearing the path.
Quick answers
The short version of the questions we hear most. Each one links to the full guide.
- Can I sell a junk car without a title in Colorado?
- Sometimes. If you are the owner, a duplicate title is the cleanest fix. Colorado law (C.R.S. 42-4-2202) also sets rules, including a seven-business-day hold and a stolen-vehicle check, for recyclers that take a car without the titled owner selling it. Read the full answer.
- What do I bring when I sell a junk car?
- The original title signed exactly as your name is printed, a photo ID, any lien release, a power of attorney if someone signs for the owner, and the keys. Read the full answer.
- How much is my junk car worth?
- It depends on weight, missing parts, whether it runs, location and access, paperwork, and current metal prices. A specific quote is more useful than a price table. Read the full answer.
- Do I keep my license plates?
- Yes. Colorado plates belong to the owner, not the car. Remove them, then report the release of liability on myDMV within five days. Read the full answer.
- Can you take a car that does not run?
- Yes. What matters is whether a truck can reach it and whether the wheels roll. Read the full answer.
- Should I remove the catalytic converter first?
- We recommend leaving it on. The car is quoted whole, and selling a detached converter in Colorado comes with extra ID and record requirements. Read the full answer.
Where to go next
Ready to sell? See cash for junk cars in Denver, car recycling in Denver, or junk cars anywhere in Colorado. The how it works page walks through a sale from quote to pickup, and the service area page covers distance.