FAQs
From title problems to junkyard rules, our South Carolina junk car FAQ has all the answers to help you through the process.
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 SOUTH CAROLINA
Everything you need to junk your car, all in one place. From forms and addresses to helpful online tools, simply choose the situation that matches yours – whether you’re transferring ownership, junking an inherited vehicle, or dealing with something else – and find the information you need without the hassle.
WHAT SITUATION DO YOU NEED HELP WITH?
EXPERT SUPPORT
TOP 3 THINGS TO DO BEFORE JUNKING YOUR CAR IN SOUTH CAROLINA
Check for outstanding liens
Confirm there are no outstanding liens on the vehicle by running its VIN through a vehicle history report, such as CARFAX.
Check title brand
Unsure about the title brand? Check the vehicle’s history report to verify it. This will ensure you have the correct documents needed to sell your vehicle.
Remove license plate
Remove your plates before handing over the vehicle. Depending on your state’s requirements, you may need to return them, transfer them to another vehicle, or keep them.
HOW TO TRANSFER A CAR TITLE IN SOUTH CAROLINA
When you junk your old car in South Carolina, you’ll need to sign the car title to transfer ownership to the buyer. Got your title? Our section on title signing explains how to do this.
Lost your title? You can apply for a duplicate using SCDMV Form 400. Download the PDF version below to apply in person or by mail. You can also apply online through the SCDMV Online portal. For specialist support on replacing missing titles and junking without a title, read our guide to replacing missing titles in South Carolina.
Form 400
LOST OR MISSING TITLE? APPLY FOR A DUPLICATE SC TITLE WITH FORM 400, THEN TRANSFER OWNERSHIP TO THE BUYER.
Duplicate Title Application
- Application method: Online, mail or in person
- Fee: $15
- Processing time: In person – Instant. Mail or Online – up to 2 weeks.
HOW TO SIGN YOUR CAR TITLE
Ready to sell your old ride? Make sure you sign your title correctly when transferring ownership to the buyer. Where to sign depends on whether there is a single or joint owner.
The sellers should sign their name (s) and signature (s) on the back of the title.
The buyer will then complete their section of the title to complete the transfer.
KEY INSTRUCTIONS
See more detailed instructions for single and joint owners below, with annotated images to help.
SINGLE OWNERS
In the assignment of a vehicle section, single owners must sign their name once on the signature of seller (s) line, and print it once on the ‘hand print name (s) of seller (s)’ line.
joint OWNERS
In the assignment of a vehicle section, joint owners will need to put their printed and signed names next to yours on the appropriate lines.
JUNK A CAR WITH AN ETITLE
If your car has an electronic title, you may be able to transfer it digitally to the seller when junking it. Some buyers prefer physical copies, so always check requirements first.
Selling your junk car to Wheels Away? You’ll need a physical title first.
JUNKING WITH AN ELECTRONIC TITLE
You can only sign and transfer the title to the buyer through the Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) program if the lien has been released.
If you need to request a physical copy of the electronic title (with the lien released), you can use Form 400 to request a duplicate copy.
Form 400
NEED A PHYSICAL COPY OF YOUR CLEAN ETITLE? REQUEST A DUPLICATE WITH FORM 400.
Duplicate Title Application
- Application method: Online, mail or in person
- Fee: $15
- Processing time: In person – Instant. Mail or Online – up to 2 weeks.
JUNK A CAR WITH NO TITLE IN SOUTH CAROLINA
If your South Carolina car is less than 12 model years old, you’ll need the title to junk it. You can apply for a replacement title with SCDMV Form 400 below.
Form 400
LOST YOUR CAR TITLE? REQUEST A DUPLICATE WITH FORM 400.
Duplicate Title Application
- Application method: Online, mail or in person
- Fee: $15
- Processing time: In person – Instant. Mail or Online – up to 2 weeks.
VEHICLES MORE THAN 12 MODEL YEARS OLD
If it’s more than 12 model years old, you can junk it without a title (depending on the buyer’s preference).
For specialist support from our expert team, check out our guide to junking without a title in South Carolina.
SURRENDER OR TRANSFER YOUR LICENSE PLATE
In South Carolina, you should remove and surrender your license plate if you’re not transferring it to a new vehicle.
Plates and registrations are handled together by the SCDMV, meaning that surrendering your plate also cancels your registration.
SURRENDER YOUR LICENSE PLATES
Not buying another vehicle? You can surrender (decommission) your plate through the SCDMV online portal (if it has an active and unexpired South Carolina registration), or by completing Form 452 and mailing in the form and your old plate.
Form 452
NEED TO SURRENDER YOUR ACTIVE PLATE? DO IT ONLINE OR WITH FORM 452.
Surrender your license plate
- Application method: Mail or in person
- Processing time: In person – Instant. Mail or Online – up to 2 weeks.
TRANSFER YOUR LICENSE PLATE
Transferring your old SC plate to a new vehicle is simple.
Complete a title application for your new car, and indicate that you want to use your old plate. It can then be placed on the new vehicle from the date of purchase.
Remember to register your new vehicle within 45 days of purchase. You’ll also need to pay a title application fee of $15.
Form 400
NEED A TITLE FOR YOUR NEW CAR? COMPLETE FORM 400 AND REQUEST TO TRANSFER YOUR OLD PLATE.
Duplicate Title Application
- Application method: Online, mail or in person
- Fee: $15
- Processing time: In person – Instant. Mail or Online – up to 2 weeks.
NOTIFY SCDMV OF VEHICLE SALE
When you junk your car in SC, you’ll need to complete a Notice of Vehicle Sold (Form 416). You can submit this form in person at your local SCDMV branch.
You must provide these details:
- Vehicle make, model, license plate number and VIN
- Buyers name, address and sale date
- Sign and date the bottom of the form as the seller
Form 416
NOTIFY SCDMV THAT YOU’RE JUNKING YOUR VEHICLE BY COMPLETING AND SUBMITTING FORM 416.
Notice of Vehicle Sold
- Application method: In person
JUNK AN ABANDONED CAR (PRIVATE PROPERTY)
If a vehicle has been left unattended on your property without permission for more than 7 days, it’s considered abandoned. To report an abandoned vehicle, contact local code enforcement with:
- The location of the vehicle
- Make, model, color and license plate number (if applicable)
- VIN (if accessible)
- How long the vehicle has been left in that location
You can also ask a tower or vehicle removal brokerage like Wheels Away to tow it away for you!
Got an abandoned vehicle on your property? Report it using Form TR-2 or ask a vehicle removal company like Wheels Away to tow it for you.
JUNK AN ABANDONED CAR (PUBLIC PROPERTY)
If you’ve found an abandoned vehicle on a highway or street, you must report it to local law enforcement. Vehicles left on public property for more than 48 hours are considered abandoned.
The officer will then tag a statutory notice to the owner on the vehicle. If the owner does not respond, the vehicle will be removed.
In South Carolina, only law enforcement can authorize the removal of vehicles on public property.
JUNK AN INHERITED VEHICLE
If you’ve inherited a vehicle through survivorship rights (or you are a joint owner joined by ‘or’ on the title), follow the instructions below.
IF YOU HAVE THE VEHICLE TITLE
If you’re listed as the surviving co-owner on the title, you can generally junk the vehicle without updating the title first. Let the buyer know that the other owner has died, and be prepared to provide a copy of the death certificate if requested.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
- Sign the back of the title (seller section) with your printed name and signature.
- Give the junkyard the death certificate and any additional paperwork (if requested) to prove ownership of the vehicle.
Form 400
CAN’T FIND THE ORIGINAL TITLE? APPLY FOR A REPLACEMENT WITH FORM 400.
Replacement Title Application
- Application method: Online, mail or in person
- Fee: $15
- Processing time: In person – Instant. Mail or Online – up to 2 weeks.
JUNK A CAR THAT’S REGISTERED OUT OF STATE
If your vehicle is located in South Carolina but still titled or registered in another state, you can still junk it in SC. You’ll need to either transfer the existing title to the buyer or request a replacement or duplicate title from the issuing state.
Use our replacement title finder below to select your state and quickly see what you’ll need, including forms, fees, processing times, application options, and more.
JUNK A CAR WITH AN EXPIRED REGISTRATION
An expired registration doesn’t stop you from junking your vehicle. As long as you have the title to prove you own it, you can sell the car for junk – the expired registration simply means you can’t legally drive it on public roads.
Don’t have the title? Whether it’s lost, damaged, or was never issued, use the form below to apply for a replacement or find out what you need to do next.
Form 400
REPLACE YOUR SOUTH CAROLINA CAR TITLE WITH FORM 400 – ONLINE, MAIL OR IN PERSON.
Replacement Title Application
- Application method: Online, mail or in person
- Fee: $15
- Processing time: In person – Instant. Mail or Online – up to 2 weeks.
VEHICLES MORE THAN 12 MODEL YEARS OLD
Old car with an expired reg? Depending on the buyer’s requirements, you may be able to junk it without a title. Check below for other documents that may be accepted instead.
Photo ID
Like your driver’s license or passport.
Bill of sale
You may need to show this as well as your photo ID.
JUNK A CAR WITH A LIEN
Still paying off your car? Clear the lien before you can junk it. If the loan has already been paid, apply for a replacement title below and get the process moving.
Wheels Away and other vehicle buyers generally can’t buy cars with liens. To clear the lien, you should:
- Pay off the remaining loan balance in full.
- Get the lender’s permission to junk the car and use the money toward the loan. This is less common and depends on the lender.
Once the loan is paid, you’re free to junk the vehicle.
Form 400
LIEN RELEASED? APPLY FOR A PHYSICAL COPY OF THE UPDATED TITLE WITH FORM 400.
Replacement Title Application
- Application method: Online, mail or in person
- Fee: $15
- Processing time: In person – Instant. Mail or Online – up to 2 weeks.
NOT SURE IF IT HAS A LIEN? RUN THE VIN.
Inherited a vehicle or dealing with an abandoned car? Before you sell or junk it, make sure you know whether there’s a lien attached.
Run the VIN through an NMVTIS-approved provider or use a vehicle history service such as CARFAX to check for lien information. Not sure where to find the VIN? Check these common locations, keeping in mind that placement can vary by the vehicle’s age, make, and model.
HELP CENTRE
Need a hand with junking your car in South Carolina? Our specialist help centre covers the questions that matter, from selling a car without a title to finding out how to get the best possible offer.
Wondering how to junk a car in South Carolina without a title? Learn the process, paperwork, and how to make cash with Wheelsaway. Thinking of junking your car in South Carolina? Learn how prices are set, the environmental upsides, and the key parts buyers want most. Find South Carolina license plate surrender requirements, SCDMV locations, forms, and return or decommissioning options.
How To Junk A Car
Missing Title
Junk Car Prices
Plate Surrender
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!
