FAQs
Scrapping a car in Arizona? Our FAQ breaks down the essentials, including what to do if there’s a lien and how to secure the best offer.
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Ultimate Guide
HOW TO JUNK A CAR IN ARIZONA
Junking your car in AZ? Get every PDF, online portal, and piece of expert support you need, organized by situation. From guidance on title signing to affidavits for unique circumstances, choose your situation below to get everything you need in one place.
WHAT SITUATION DO YOU NEED HELP WITH?
EXPERT SUPPORT
TOP 3 THINGS TO DO BEFORE JUNKING YOUR CAR IN ARIZONA
Check for outstanding liens
Run the vehicle identification number (VIN) through a lookup tool like Carfax to check for outstanding liens.
Check title brand
Don’t know the title brand? Use the same history checker to confirm it. This ensures you have the right paperwork to sell your vehicle.
Remove license plates
Remove your plates before you sell. Either surrender them to the MVD, transfer them to a new vehicle, or keep them, depending on your situation.
ON THE DAY
- Sign the title with the odometer reading filled in. Arizona requires this on the transfer.
- Take the plates off before the driver arrives. In Arizona, plates stay with you, not the car.
- Clear out your personal items before pickup.
- File a Sold Notice with the MVD within 10 days of the sale to get your liability off the record.
- Ask about a registration credit for the unused portion while you’re at it.
- Cancel your insurance only once the sale is done and the Sold Notice is filed.
HOW TO TRANSFER A CAR TITLE IN ARIZONA
Junking a car in Arizona? You and the buyer must sign the title and give an odometer reading. If you have a title, skip straight to the section on title signing below for the full lowdown.
If you don’t have a title, apply for one using Form 96-0236. Apply online using your AZ MVD account, or download the PDF below to apply via mail or in person.
You can also check out our ultimate guide to replacing a missing title in Arizona for even more useful information.
Form 96–0236
MISSING TITLE? APPLY FOR A REPLACEMENT WITH FORM 96-0236, THEN SIGN IT TO TRANSFER OWNERSHIP TO THE BUYER.
REPLACEMENT TITLE APPLICATION
- Application method: Online or mail
- Fee: $4.
- Processing time: Online: instant. Mail: up to 6 weeks.
HOW TO SIGN YOUR ARIZONA CAR TITLE
Need to transfer your AZ title to a new owner? It’s simple.
The seller’s printed name(s) and signature(s) must be completed on the back of the title on the highlighted lines.
The buyer will complete the same information in their section.
As of September 2022, Arizona titles no longer require notarization.
KEY INSTRUCTIONS
Follow the instructions for single and joint owners below, using the annotated images to help.
SINGLE OWNERS
Single owners must sign their name once on the ‘seller’s signature’ line, and print it once on the ‘seller’s name (printed)’ line.
JOINT OWNERS
Joint owners put their printed names and signatures next to yours on the same lines.
The title design may change over time. If yours looks different, don’t worry – the seller’s lines will still be on the back of the title.
JUNK A CAR WITH AN ETITLE
If AZ MVD says your vehicle is eligible, you can sign and transfer the title online – no in person trips required. Not all buyers accept etitles, so be sure to ask.
Selling your car with Wheels Away? Etitles are not accepted. Request a physical copy first.
Need to request a physical copy? Do it in a flash with Arizona MVD’s replacement title service. Sign in, pay the $4 fee, and receive an instant PDF summary.
You can also download the official form below and submit it in person or by mail.
REPLACEMENT CAR TITLE
GET A REPLACEMENT ARIZONA CERTIFICATE OF TITLE USING FORM 96-0236.
REPLACEMENT TITLE APPLICATION
- Application method: Online or mail.
- Fee: $4.
- Processing time: Online: instant. Mail: up to 6 weeks.
JUNK A CAR WITH NO TITLE IN ARIZONA
Missing Arizona car title?
If it’s at least 12 model years old and worth $1,200 or less, you can junk it without a title using an Owner Affidavit. Otherwise, you’ll need the title.
Sign in to the AZ MVD portal to start an application, or use a printed copy of the form below for mail or in-person applications.
NO VEHICLE TITLE?
APPLY FOR A NEW ARIZONA CERTIFICATE OF TITLE USING THE FORM BELOW.
NEW/REPLACEMENT/DUPLICATE TITLE APPLICATION
- Application method: Online or mail.
- Fee: $4.
- Processing time: Online: instant. Mail: up to 6 weeks.
VEHICLES 12 MODEL YEARS OLD OR OLDER & WORTH $1,200 OR LESS
Sound like your ride? You can junk it without a title using the owner affidavit below.
Need more information? Check out our ultimate guide to junking without a title in Arizona.
NO VEHICLE TITLE AND MORE THAN 12 YEARS OLD?
IF IT’S WORTH $1,200 OR LESS, USE THE OWNER AFFIDAVIT AS PROOF OF OWNERSHIP.
OWNER AFFIDAVIT
Download, print, and sign the affidavit, then use it as proof of ownership when selling.
SURRENDER OR TRANSFER YOUR LICENSE PLATES
Good news – in Arizona, you don’t need to turn in your license plates when you get rid of your car, UNLESS you’re canceling your registration too.
Need to cancel your registration? Make sure you follow the steps below to surrender your plates. Get the full breakdown on canceling your registration in the next section.
SURRENDER YOUR LICENSE PLATES
If you need to cancel your registration and you won’t own a new vehicle, you must surrender your plates to the MVD. In Arizona, it is a class 2 misdemeanor to possess or display a license plate or registration that has been canceled, and law enforcement is permitted to seize them.
Complete a plate release and submit it to the MVD. To claim fee credits, file a sold notice within 10 days of the sale, then request your registration credit.
WHAT ARE FEE CREDITS?
If you cancel your registration early, you’re entitled to a refund of the unused time remaining in your registration period in the form of fee credits. Credits can be used to pay for future costs like plate and form fees, or cashed out for you to spend on whatever you like! Remember to file a sold notice when you sell your vehicle to be eligible.
SURRENDER YOUR LICENSE PLATES
NEED TO SURRENDER YOUR PLATES? SUBMIT THIS FORM TO THE MVD.
PLATE RELEASE
- Application method: Online or mail.
TRANSFER YOUR LICENSE PLATES
Trading your junker in for a shiny new model? Here’s exactly what you need to do.
Buying from a dealership?
The dealer will handle the title, registration, and other paperwork for you. Just give them the plate number, and they’ll give you a Temporary Registration Plate (TRP) so you can drive around until you get a new one in the mail. Then, attach the transferred plate and your new tabs, and you’re good to go!
Buying from a private seller?
Complete registration for the new vehicle via the AZ MVD portal or at an MVD location, where the transfer will be handled as part of the process.
CANCEL YOUR REGISTRATION
When you junk your car in Arizona, you must submit a sold notice to the MVD within 10 days to end your registration.
If you’re getting ready to sell your vehicle and you’ve canceled the registration but it’s still insured, you MUST Submit a De-Insured Certificate. You can do this on the AZ MVD website for free.
We wouldn’t recommend canceling your insurance or registration before the car is junked. It means more admin for you and can cause complications if plans change. Simply transfer ownership when the deal is done for a smoother sale.
NOTIFY AZ MVD OF VEHICLE SALE
Submit the sold notice to the MVD within 10 days of selling your vehicle.
If you’ve sold the vehicle and canceled your registration during the period you’ve paid for, you can get some extra moolah in the form of a credit refund. Apply online, and you’ll be refunded for the registration period that was left on the car. Keep it as credit to pay for future MVD fees, or cash it out to spend on whatever you like. Cha-ching!
SOLD NOTICE
SUBMIT TO THE MVD WITHIN 10 DAYS OF SALE.
SOLD NOTICE
Sold notices are free to submit, stored electronically, and updated immediately.
VEHICLE REGISTRATION CREDIT OR REFUND
SUBMIT YOUR REFUND REQUEST ONLINE AFTER SUBMITTING YOUR SOLD NOTICE.
VEHICLE REGISTRATION CREDIT OR REFUND
Note: a $12 processing fee will be deducted from your credit.
Don’t wait to apply. The MVD calculates your credit based on how much time is left on your registration on the day you actually apply, not the day you sold the car, and it can’t be backdated. Every week you delay is money you won’t get back.
JUNK AN ABANDONED CAR IN ARIZONA (PRIVATE PROPERTY)
In Arizona, vehicles are considered ‘abandoned’ when they’ve been left on private property for 72 hours.
If it’s been left on your property, contact your local law enforcement agency to have it declared abandoned and removed. The MVD’s Abandoned Vehicle Unit doesn’t tow vehicles.
If you completed an Abandoned Vehicle Application through the MVD, you must have the vehicle inspected by the MVD or local law enforcement to ensure the correct vehicle is being processed and prevent fraud.
REPORT ABANDONED VEHICLES ONLINE
REPORT THE VEHICLE TO THE MVD USING THE AZ MVD NOW PORTAL.
AZ MVD NOW PORTAL
YOU WILL NEED
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Physical location of vehicle
- Contact information
A processing fee of $10 will apply.
JUNK AN ABANDONED CAR IN ARIZONA (PUBLIC PROPERTY)
If a vehicle has been left on a highway, road or street for 48 hours, or on other public property for 72 hours, it’s considered abandoned.
Follow the same reporting process above, and the MVD or local law enforcement will dispose of the vehicle.
Note: removal companies like Wheels Away can’t tow away commercial vehicles.
REPORT ABANDONED VEHICLES ONLINE
REPORT THE VEHICLE TO THE MVD USING THE ONLINE PORTAL BELOW.
AZ MVD NOW PORTAL
YOU WILL NEED
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Physical location of vehicle
- Contact information
A processing fee of $10 will apply.
JUNK AN INHERITED VEHICLE
Inherited a vehicle through survivorship rights? Follow the instructions below.
IF YOU HAVE THE VEHICLE TITLE
If you’re the surviving co-owner and you have the title, you can junk the car on behalf of the deceased owner. Make sure you have the documents below to give to the buyer.
If you don’t have the title, apply for a replacement below, providing a copy of the death certificate as proof of your ownership.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
- Sign the title (sellers printed name and signature section) as the surviving owner
- Show the buyer any paperwork that proves ownership has passed to you – such as a death certificate – so the junkyard can verify you’re authorized to sell the vehicle.
REPLACEMENT CAR TITLE APPLICATION
GET AN ARIZONA CERTIFICATE OF TITLE USING FORM 96-0236.
REPLACEMENT TITLE APPLICATION
- Application method: Online or mail.
- Fee: $4.
- Processing time: Online: instant. Mail: up to 6 weeks.
JUNK A CAR THAT’S REGISTERED OUT OF STATE
You can junk a vehicle in Arizona even if it’s registered or titled in another state. If you have the out-of-state title, you can transfer it to the buyer by signing the seller’s section of the title. If you’ve lost it, you’ll usually need to apply for a duplicate from the state that issued the title.
Find your state using the replacement title tool below to view all the key information in one place, including the required forms, application fees, processing times, submission options, and more.
JUNK A CAR WITH AN EXPIRED REGISTRATION
In Arizona, you don’t need a current registration to sell a vehicle for junk or salvage. Most buyers will still need to see the title as proof of ownership. An expired registration only affects whether the vehicle can be driven legally.
Need a new title? Complete the form below if your original title has been lost, destroyed, or is unavailable.
REPLACEMENT OR DUPLICATE TITLE APPLICATION
APPLY FOR AN ARIZONA CERTIFICATE OF TITLE USING FORM 96-0236.
REPLACEMENT/ DUPLICATE TITLE APPLICATION
- Application method: Online or mail.
- Fee: $4.
- Processing time: Online: instant. Mail: up to 6 weeks.
VEHICLES MORE THAN 12 MODEL YEARS OLD & VALUED AT LESS THAN $1,200
No title? You may still be able to junk your car. If your ride meets the description above, an Owner Affidavit and valid ID may be enough to junk it. Requirements can vary by buyer, so always check before selling.
Photo ID
Like your driver’s license or passport.
Bill of sale
You’ll need this as well as your photo ID.
JUNK A CAR WITH A LIEN
Paid off your lien? Apply for a new title and use it to junk your car.
Still got an outstanding lien? You’ll usually need to clear it before any junkyard or vehicle buyer – including Wheels Away – can buy it.
In most cases, this means:
- Paying off the remaining loan balance
- Getting written permission from the lender to sell the vehicle before the loan is repaid
Once the amount is settled, the lender issues a lien release, and you’re free to junk your car!
NEW TITLE APPLICATION
APPLY FOR A NEW TITLE WITH THE LIEN RELEASED USING FORM 96-0236.
NEW TITLE APPLICATION
- Application method: Online or mail.
- Fee: $4.
- Processing time: Online: instant. Mail: up to 6 weeks.
NOT SURE IF IT HAS A LIEN? RUN THE VIN.
You may not always know if the car you’re junking has a lien. Lucky for you, checking is simple!
Run the VIN through an NMVTIS provider or a lookup service like Carfax. Not sure where the VIN is? Here are the most common locations (may vary by age, make, and model).
HELP CENTER
Need support? That’s what we’re here for. We break down the answers to your most common questions in our specialist help center. From understanding MVD requirements to getting started on your junking journey, we’re here for you.
Whether you’re returning your plate or selling an inherited vehicle, find the forms, guidance, and expert advice you need to junk a car in Arizona. Trying to junk a car without a title in Arizona? Learn what paperwork you need and how Wheels Away can guide you through each step. Find your scrap car’s value in AZ. We’ll help you get a fair price. Discover what affects its value, eco-friendly disposal methods, and more. 
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