FAQs
Selling a junk car in North Carolina? Learn how prices are calculated, why recycling matters, and which parts are worth the most.
Instant Cash Offer For Your Vehicle
Fair Quote, Free Pickup, Fast Cash, Gone Today.
Sell your car today
Free pickup
Best price offered
All vehicles accepted
Fair Quote, Free Pickup, Fast Cash, Gone Today.
Sell your car today
Free pickup
Best price offered
All vehicles accepted
Ultimate Guide
HOW TO JUNK A CAR IN NORTH CAROLINA
Find the forms, contact details, and online resources you need to junk your car, sorted by situation. From changing ownership to dealing with an inherited vehicle, pick the scenario that matches your needs and get the right information in one place.
WHAT SITUATION DO YOU NEED HELP WITH?
EXPERT SUPPORT
TOP 3 THINGS TO DO BEFORE JUNKING YOUR CAR IN NORTH CAROLINA
Check for outstanding liens
Check the vehicle identification number (VIN) with a service like Carfax to see whether there are any unpaid liens on the vehicle.
Check title brand
Unsure of your vehicle’s title brand? Check its history using the same lookup tool. Confirming the brand will ensure you have everything ready for sale.
Remove license plate
Take your plate off before you sell. You’ll either surrender it or transfer it to another vehicle. Also check the glovebox, trunk, and under the seats. Anything left inside will go with the car.
HOW TO TRANSFER A CAR TITLE IN NORTH CAROLINA
When you send your old car off to the junkyard, you’ll need to sign the title to transfer ownership. Got your NC title? Our section on title signing explains how to sign your title.
Lost your title? Make sure you apply for a new one before junking your car. Use Form MVR-4 to apply for a duplicate title in person or online. Download the PDF version below for in-person applications.
Need more support?
Losing your title is frustrating enough without adding DMV red tape to the mix. Get everything you need to replace a missing title in North Carolina, from the right forms and fees to state rules, requirements, and next steps – all in one place.
Form MVR-4
LOST YOUR TITLE? BEFORE YOU JUNK YOUR CAR IN NC, APPLY FOR A REPLACEMENT TITLE WITH FORM MVR-4.
Duplicate Title Application
- Application method: In person or mail
- Fee: $25.50 (+$105.75 for instant service)
- Processing time: Duplicate title applications have a mandatory 15-day waiting period before they can be issued. If instant title service is requested, the title can be issued or picked up on the 16th day.
HOW TO SIGN YOUR NORTH CAROLINA CAR TITLE
Ready to junk your car? Make sure you sign your title correctly in front of a notary. Where you sign the title depends on whether the vehicle has one or multiple owners.
Sellers must sign their printed name and signature on the back of the title in the appropriate sections, and complete the odometer disclosure in the same place.
The buyer and notary must also sign in their sections to complete the sale.
KEY INSTRUCTIONS
Single and joint owners should follow the instructions below, using the annotated title images to help.
SINGLE OWNERS
In the first re-assignment of title by registered owners section, single owners must sign their name once on the ‘seller (s) signature’ line, and print it once on the ‘seller (s) hand printed name’ line.
joint OWNERS
In the first re-assignment of title by registered owners section, multiple owners must sign their names once on the ‘seller (s) signature’ line next to each other, and print them once on the ‘seller (s) hand printed name’ line next to each other.
JUNK A CAR WITH AN ETITLE
In North Carolina, most titles are still physical. If you have an electronic title, it may have a lien on it. This will need to be paid off in full before you can junk the vehicle.
If the lien has been paid off, you will need a physical copy of the new title to junk the car. You can request a replacement with the form below.
If you’re junking your car with Wheels Away, you must have a physical copy of the title.
Form MVR-4
LIEN CLEARED? GET A PHYSICAL COPY OF YOUR E-TITLE WITH THE FORM BELOW.
Duplicate Title Application
- Application method: In person or mail
- Fee: $25.50 ($105.75 for instant service)
- Processing time: Duplicate title applications have a mandatory 15-day waiting period before they can be issued. If instant title service is requested, the title can be issued or picked up on the 16th day.
JUNK A CAR WITH NO TITLE IN NORTH CAROLINA
If your car is less than 12 model years old, you’ll generally need a title to junk it. If you don’t have one, you can apply for a duplicate using Form MVR-4.
Remember: In North Carolina, not all buyers will accept vehicles without titles, even if they are 12 model years old or older. Check the exact requirements with the buyer first.
Form MVR-4
NEED A TITLE TO JUNK YOUR CAR? APPLY FOR A DUPLICATE WITH FORM MVR-4, OR PAY FOR INSTANT SERVICE IF YOU NEED IT SOONER.
Duplicate Title Application
- Application method: In person or mail
- Fee: $25.50 (+$105.75 for instant service)
- Processing time: Duplicate title applications have a mandatory 15-day waiting period before they can be issued. If instant title service is requested, the title can be issued or picked up on the 16th day.
VEHICLES 12 MODEL YEARS OLD OR OLDER
If the buyer doesn’t need to see a title, you may only need to give them a copy of your photo ID or a bill of sale to prove ownership. They’ll then complete Form 20-62.1 to complete the sale.
Our specialist guide to junking without a title in North Carolina breaks down the requirements even further, so you can junk your car with confidence.
SURRENDER OR TRANSFER YOUR LICENSE PLATE
In North Carolina, if you’re junking your vehicle and not transferring the plate, you must surrender it.
Your registration is usually cancelled when you surrender your plates. If you need to have the vehicle removed from your registration record (for example, because you’re still receiving tax notices), you can use Form MVR-46F (Affidavit for Removal) to request removal.
SURRENDER YOUR LICENSE PLATE
If you won’t own another vehicle, you can surrender your plate by mail, online, or in person at any NCDMV location. Keep a receipt for your future records.
TRANSFER YOUR LICENSE PLATE
Getting a new car? You can transfer your old plate to your new vehicle.
Transfers are processed as part of the registration process for the new vehicle. Apply for a certificate of title for the new vehicle using Form MVR-4, and your local tag office will then transfer the plate and issue a new registration.
You must pay the appropriate fees and provide proof of registration and insurance.
Form MVR-4
READY TO TRANSFER YOUR PLATE? APPLY FOR A NEW TITLE FOR YOUR NEW VEHICLE USING FORM MVR-4.
Certificate of Title Application
- Application method: In person or mail
- Fee: $25.50 (+$105.75 for instant service)
- Processing time: Duplicate title applications have a mandatory 15-day waiting period before they can be issued. If instant title service is requested, the title can be issued or picked up on the 16th day.
NOTIFY NC DMV OF VEHICLE SALE
When you junk your car in North Carolina, you’ll need to surrender your plate. This notifies the NCDMV of the change to your vehicle record.
Follow the steps below to notify the NCDMV.
Transfer the title
Sign the seller’s section of the title in the presence of a notary. Once the buyer completes their section, the sale is complete.
Cancel your insurance
Once everyone has signed the title and your plate has been surrendered to the NCDMV, cancel your car insurance.
File Affidavit for Removal (if necessary)
If you receive tax reminders for your vehicle, or the title was never sent to the NCDMV, file an Affidavit for Removal to get it removed from your registration record.
JUNK AN ABANDONED CAR (PRIVATE PROPERTY)
If a vehicle has been left on your private property without permission, you may contact a tow company to remove it after 7 days.
You can also report the vehicle to your local police department or city code enforcement office. Be ready to provide details such as the make, model, exact location, and VIN.
If the vehicle remains unclaimed for 30 days, you may be able to begin the process to sell or dispose of it under North Carolina’s abandoned vehicle rules.
JUNK AN ABANDONED CAR (PUBLIC PROPERTY)
In North Carolina, if a vehicle has been abandoned on public property, such as a highway or street, you must report it to local law enforcement or NCDOT to arrange removal.
A tow company cannot remove the vehicle for you. Law enforcement may begin the removal process after 24 hours for vehicles left on certain city- or county-owned property. Vehicles creating an immediate hazard may be removed sooner.
The vehicle will be towed to a storage facility, and the registered owner will have a chance to redeem the vehicle.
JUNK AN INHERITED VEHICLE
If you’ve inherited a vehicle through survivorship rights, follow the instructions below to junk the vehicle.
IF YOU HAVE THE VEHICLE TITLE
If you already have the title, you can junk the vehicle yourself. Let the buyer know about the co-owner’s death and have a copy of the death certificate ready to prove ownership.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
- Sign the title (seller section) as the surviving owner with survivorship rights.
- Give the junkyard the signed title, the death certificate, and any other requested paperwork to prove you are now the owner of the vehicle.
Form MVR-4
LOST THE ORIGINAL TITLE? APPLY FOR A DUPLICATE WITH FORM MVR-4.
Duplicate Title Application
- Application method: In person or mail
- Fee: $25.50 (+$105.75 for instant service)
- Processing time: Duplicate title applications have a mandatory 15-day waiting period before they can be issued. If instant title service is requested, the title can be issued or picked up on the 16th day.
JUNK A CAR THAT’S REGISTERED OUT OF STATE
If your vehicle is located in North Carolina but titled or registered in another state, you can still junk it in NC. You’ll need to either transfer the existing title to the buyer or request a replacement title from the state that originally issued it.
Lost your title? Request a replacement from the state where the vehicle is titled. Use our replacement title finder below to choose your state and quickly see what you’ll need, including forms, fees, processing times, how to apply, and more.
JUNK A CAR WITH AN EXPIRED REGISTRATION
An expired registration doesn’t stop you from junking your vehicle as long as you can prove ownership with the title. It just means you can’t legally drive the vehicle on public roads.
Don’t have the title? Whether it’s lost, damaged, or you never received one, use the form below to apply for a replacement.
Form MVR-4
REPLACE A MISSING TITLE BY REQUESTING A DUPLICATE WITH FORM MVR-4.
Duplicate Title Application
- Application method: In person or mail
- Fee: $25.50 (+$105.75 for instant service)
- Processing time: Duplicate title applications have a mandatory 15-day waiting period before they can be issued. If instant title service is requested, the title can be issued or picked up on the 16th day.
VEHICLES 12 MODEL YEARS OLD OR OLDER
Got an old car with expired registration? If it’s 12 model years old or older, and depending on the buyer’s requirements, you may be able to junk it without a title. Check below for alternative documents that may be accepted as proof of ownership.
Photo ID
Like your driver’s license or passport.
Bill of sale
Some buyers will want to see this with your photo ID.
JUNK A CAR WITH A LIEN
Already paid off your car loan? Get your lien-released title and you’re ready to junk your ride.
Wheels Away and other vehicle buyers typically can’t purchase a car with an active lien. If there’s still money owed on the vehicle, you’ll need to clear it before you can junk it. Usually, that means:
- Paying the loan balance in full.
- Getting the lender’s approval to junk the vehicle and use the profits to pay off the loan – although this is uncommon.
Once the loan is paid off, the lender will issue a lien release confirming that the debt has been settled. With the lien cleared, you can sell or junk the vehicle.
Form MVR-4
PAID OFF YOUR LIEN? GET A PHYSICAL COPY OF THE CLEAN TITLE BY APPLYING FOR A DUPLICATE.
Duplicate Title Application
- Application method: In person or mail
- Fee: $25.50 (+$105.75 for instant service)
- Processing time: Duplicate title applications have a mandatory 15-day waiting period before they can be issued. If instant title service is requested, the title can be issued or picked up on the 16th day.
NOT SURE IF IT HAS A LIEN? RUN THE VIN.
Inherited a vehicle or dealing with an abandoned one? Check for liens before you sell or junk it.
A quick VIN check can help you find out whether there’s an outstanding lien on the vehicle. You can run the VIN through an NMVTIS-approved provider or use a vehicle history service like Carfax.
Not sure where to find the VIN? It’s usually found in one of the locations below, although the exact spot can vary by the vehicle’s age, make, and model.
HELP CENTER
Got questions about junking your car in North Carolina? We’ve got answers. From figuring out how to junk a car without a title to getting the best possible offer, our specialist help center has the guidance you need to make the process easier.
Junking a car in North Carolina? Get the forms, tips, and expert guidance you need, from plate surrender to inherited vehicles and more. Find out how to junk a car without a title in North Carolina. Learn legal requirements, what forms to complete, and more with Wheelsaway! Explore junk car prices in North Carolina and discover the most valuable parts of your vehicle, how to maximize your profit, and more. 
How To Junk A Car
Missing Title
Junk Car Prices
Ready to Get Cash for Your Junk Car?
Get a free, instant quote in minutes!
✔ Top-dollar offers for your junk car
✔ Free and fast towing
✔ No paperwork hassle—we handle everything!
