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Junk Car FAQs: North Carolina

Ready to turn your old junk car into top dollar in North Carolina? Before you start, take a few minutes to read through our quick-guide FAQ, which will tell you everything you need to know about title limitations, surrendering license plates, junking with a lien, and more.


Why let that old car gather dust? Get instant cash with Wheelsaway! Request your free online quote, and we’ll handle pickup and payment right from your driveway – fast and hassle-free.

Our process is simple and transparent. Enter your vehicle details, get matched with a licensed North Carolina junkyard, review your quote, and schedule a complimentary pickup at your convenience.

Junk car prices have risen in North Carolina and nationwide – from an average of $100–$500 in 2024 to around $145–$682 at the start of 2025.

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In North Carolina, vehicle registration fees vary based on the type of vehicle. For example, as of July 1, 2024, the annual registration fee for a regular private passenger vehicle is $46.25. Additional fees may apply for electric vehicles, commercial vehicles, and other vehicle types. Some counties also impose regional taxes. For a comprehensive breakdown of all applicable fees, please visit the NCDMV’s official fees page.

While most junkyards will take cars without keys, you’ll usually still need a valid title to legally transfer ownership.

Yes – but only in specific cases. In North Carolina, vehicles 10 years or older can be junked without a title using Form 20-62.1. Vehicles younger than 10 years require a new or duplicate title. Confirm your title status through the My DMV portal, and read our blog for a full walkthrough on junking a car without a title.

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In North Carolina, you must complete this process within 60 days of becoming a resident. To transfer an out-of-state registration in NC, you must:

  • Provide the NCDMV with your out-of-state registration & title
  • Pay the necessary taxes and fees
  • Obtain an NC drivers license
  • Provide proof of insurance from a NC provider

If you need a NC driver’s license, you’ll have to fill out additional forms. You may be able to use your out-of-state license to get a Temporary Driving Certificate. Contact the NCDMV for the most relevant information.

Sell your car hassle-free with Wheelsaway: provide vehicle info, get a salvage valuation, and enjoy free towing and quick payment.

Cars with existing liens can be sold to some junkyards, but the lien must be paid off first, usually via direct payment to the lienholder.

Turn your old car into cash with Wheelsaway. We offer fair prices, free pickup statewide, and a simple, convenient process from start to finish.

North Carolina license plates can be returned to any NCDMV, or mailed to the following address:

NCDMV Vehicle Registration Section
Renewal Title & Plate Unit
3148 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27697-3148

In NC, you must maintain continuous liability on a registered vehicle. You must only cancel your insurance after you’ve surrendered your plates; otherwise, you could be fined.

Yes, expired registration doesn’t stop you from junking your car in North Carolina. You’ll need to present ownership proof, like the title, to the junkyard, and afterward file Form MVR-18A or return the license plate to the DMV to close out the registration.

Got a title loan? You’ll usually need to clear it before junking your car. That could mean paying it off, letting the junkyard pay the lender, or getting written consent – otherwise, you risk complications.

Do I Need a Bill of Sale to Junk a Car?

You don’t always need a bill of sale to junk a car, but it’s a good idea. It confirms the sale to the junkyard, and in South Carolina, you may be asked to provide yours as proof of ownership.

What Happens to My Car After I Junk It?

Junked cars are dismantled responsibly: usable parts are resold or recycled, hazardous fluids are removed, and the metal is crushed for recycling. Non-recyclable materials are disposed of safely, keeping the process eco-friendly.

How Do I Tow a Car to a Junkyard?

The simplest solution is to rely on a service such as Wheelsaway to manage the towing. Regardless of the vehicle’s state or placement, we have the tools to remove it safely and transport it to the junkyard.

In North Carolina, you cannot register a car with a salvage title. To legally register it, the vehicle must be rebuilt, inspected, and issued a rebuilt title.

You cannot sell a vehicle with an active lien. The lender must be paid, either by you or the junkyard, and the DMV requires proof of lien clearance to transfer ownership.

A Junk Vehicle Affidavit is a legal form that lets you sell or dispose of a car when you don’t have a title, usually for older vehicles. To use it, complete the form with your vehicle and ownership details, sign it, and provide it to the scrap yard or DMV as proof of ownership. In North Carolina, if the car is abandoned, derelict, or being disposed of without a title, affidavits are often used. You can find out more from the North Carolina DMV.


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FAQs

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