How to get rid of a junk car in California

Researched 2026-10-31 from official sources (California DMV and Bureau of Automotive Repair). Programs and amounts change, so confirm with the agency before you act.

Short answer: If your car still drives, first check whether you qualify for the state's vehicle retirement payment ($1,350, $1,500 or $2,000 from the Bureau of Automotive Repair). If it doesn't run, sell it to a DMV-licensed dismantler, donate it to a registered charity, or take an offer from an online car buyer. Whatever you choose, file a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (NRL) with the DMV within 5 days.

On this page: Paperwork · Retirement payment (BAR CAP) · Licensed dismantlers · Donating · Online car buyers · Salvage & junk certificates · What we couldn't verify

1. Get the paperwork ready

The title (pink slip). To sell, donate or junk the car you need the California Certificate of Title in your name. The buyer signs as the new owner. The DMV says ownership changes must be reported within 10 days, and title records usually arrive in 15 to 30 days. Transfer fees vary, so use the DMV fee calculator. DMV – Title transfers and changes

Lost title. If the title is missing, the DMV says to complete an Application for Duplicate or Transfer of Title (REG 227) first. If there's a lienholder, section 5 of the REG 227 must be notarized. REG 227 (DMV)

Release of liability (NRL). When you sell, give away, donate or otherwise dispose of a car, you must notify the DMV within 5 calendar days (California Vehicle Code §5900). The NRL releases you from liability for what happens with the car afterwards (CVC §5602), but it does not transfer ownership. You'll need:

the new owner's name and address (the dismantler, charity or buyer)
the license plate number
the last 5 digits of the VIN
the odometer reading

File online at dmv.ca.gov/nrl, or mail form REG 138. DMV – Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability

2. Get paid to retire it: BAR's Consumer Assistance Program

The Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) runs the Consumer Assistance Program (CAP). It pays you to retire your car at a BAR-contracted dismantler. Amounts as shown on BAR's "Retire my vehicle" page on October 31, 2026:

Option	Payment	Who qualifies
Not income-eligible	$1,350	Any household income. The car must have failed its most recent Smog Check, and not only because of ignition timing, the gas cap test or tampering.
Income-eligible	$1,500	Household income at or below the BAR limit. The car needs a Smog Check (pass or fail) within 180 days before you apply.
Income-eligible	$2,000	Household income at or below the BAR limit, and the car failed its most recent Smog Check.

BAR – Retire my vehicle

Income limits (225% of the federal poverty level, per BAR):

Household size	Max yearly gross income
1	$35,910
2	$48,690
3	$61,470
4	$74,250
5	$87,030
6	$99,810
7	$112,590
8	$125,370

Add $12,780 for each additional person. BAR accepts proof such as public assistance or benefit letters, an SSA letter, a federal 1040 or California 540 tax return with a pay stub, or an EDD Wage History Report. BAR – Income eligibility

Requirements for every option (from BAR):

You are the registered owner and the title is in your name.
The car is a passenger car, truck, SUV or van with a GVWR of 10,000 lb or less that is subject to Smog Check.
It isn't registered to a business, government agency or nonprofit. It hasn't already been junked and isn't in the middle of a transfer of ownership.
Registration is current, or all fees are paid and it expired no more than 120 days ago. The car must also have been continuously registered, with no lapse longer than 120 days, for the last 2 years. Income-eligible applicants can show this with California insurance or repair invoices instead.
You haven't retired another car through CAP in the last 12 months (sole owner), or no more than 2 (joint owner).

The car has to drive. CAP won't take a true "junker". BAR requires that it:

drives to the dismantler under its own power and moves 10 yards
starts by ordinary means, with no starting fluid or booster
still has all doors, the hood, dashboard, windshield, one side window, the driver's seat, one bumper, the exhaust system, all side/quarter panels, one headlight, one tail light and one brake light

How it works:

Apply online or by mail. BAR's phone number is (866) 272-9642.
Wait for your letter of eligibility. BAR won't pay for a car retired before you're approved.
Take the car, the original eligibility letter, the title and your photo ID to a BAR-contracted dismantler before the letter expires. Someone else can take it if they have a REG 260 power of attorney.

Funding depends on what's available each fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). BAR raised the amounts on January 1, 2025 (from $1,000 to $1,350 and from $1,500 to $2,000). BAR – CAP overview · BAR – CAP supplemental report (PDF)

Regional programs. BAR also lists local retirement programs, including the South Coast AQMD Old-Vehicle Scrapping Program in the Greater Los Angeles area and the Old Car Buy Back and Scrap Program (Antelope Valley, Bay Area, San Luis Obispo County, Mojave Desert, Ventura County). See the county guides for details. BAR – Find other options

3. Sell it to a licensed dismantler

If the car doesn't run, or doesn't qualify for CAP, BAR suggests selling it directly to a local dismantler. California licenses auto dismantlers through the DMV, and the DMV says a licensed dismantler must show its license number in its advertising.

Check a dismantler's license: open the DMV's Occupational License Lookup, pick the Dismantler category, and search by business name, city or ZIP code, or license number.

When a licensed dismantler buys a car to junk, the DMV manual says it reports the purchase to the DMV (Notice of Acquisition, REG 42) and may dismantle the car 10 days after mailing it. You still file your own NRL. DMV – Junking a vehicle (dismantler)

Price and towing: no official source publishes scrap-car prices. Call ahead and get more than one quote.

4. Donate it to a charity

BAR lists donation as one of the alternatives to CAP. Before you donate:

Check the charity. California charities must register with the Attorney General's Registry of Charities and Fundraisers. Use the Registry Search Tool linked from oag.ca.gov/charities.
File your NRL. The DMV requires one within 5 days when you donate a vehicle.
Know the tax rule. The IRS says that if the charity sells the car, your deduction is usually limited to the gross proceeds from the sale. If it sells for $500 or less, you can deduct the lesser of fair market value or $500. Exceptions apply if the charity uses or materially improves the car, or gives or sells it to a person in need. For a claimed deduction over $500 you need the charity's written acknowledgment (often Form 1098-C) within 30 days of the sale. IRS Publication 4303 (PDF) · DMV – Important vehicle information

5. Sell it to an online car buyer

Online junk-car buyers quote a price from your car's details and usually arrange a tow. Before you accept:

Ask who will actually pick the car up, and check that business on the DMV's Occupational License Lookup.
Get the final price and any towing or paperwork charges in writing. We couldn't find any official source for these amounts, so call ahead.
Sign the title over to the buyer named on the paperwork, then file your NRL within 5 days.
If the car could qualify for CAP, compare the offer with the $1,350–$2,000 retirement payment first. A car retired through CAP must go to a BAR-contracted dismantler.

6. Junking it yourself, salvage and nonrepairable certificates

Junking it yourself. The DMV manual says you don't need a license to junk your own vehicle. Before it's dismantled you apply to the DMV to record it as junk (otherwise an investigative service fee applies), with proof of ownership. You also surrender the license plates and pay any fees or use tax due. A car transferred to be dismantled is exempt from the Smog Check requirement. Remove any Clean Air Vehicle decals. DMV – Junking a vehicle (individual)

Total loss / salvage. If an insurer declares the car a total loss, the insurer applies for the salvage or nonrepairable certificate within 10 days of the settlement. If there's no insurance settlement, the owner applies with form REG 488C and the title (or a notarized REG 227 if the title is missing). A car with a Nonrepairable Vehicle Certificate can never be registered again. DMV – Total loss, salvage and nonrepairable vehicles · REG 488C (PDF)

DMV fees for these certificates vary by vehicle. Use the DMV fee calculator or call ahead.

What we couldn't verify

BAR's list of contracted dismantlers. BAR's dismantler page blocked our checks, so we couldn't read it. You'll get dismantler details from BAR during the application. Call (866) 272-9642.
An outdated DMV insert. The DMV's "Important Vehicle Information" sheet (ISD 83, revised 2/2021) still lists older CAP amounts ($1,500 / $1,000). BAR's own page, cited above, shows the current $1,350 / $1,500 / $2,000. BAR's figures are the ones that count.
CAP funding right now. BAR says payments depend on funding each fiscal year. We couldn't confirm how much is left this year.
Scrap prices, towing charges and online buyers' terms. None of these are published by an official source. Call ahead and get offers in writing.
DMV fee amounts for title transfers, duplicates and junk/salvage certificates. Use the DMV fee calculator.