How to get rid of a junk car in Orange County, CA

Researched 2026-10-31 from official sources. Programs change, so confirm with the program before you go.

Short answer: In Orange County, follow the statewide steps: sort out the title, check whether you qualify for the state's $1,350–$2,000 retirement payment, sell to a DMV-licensed dismantler or donate, and file a release of liability with the DMV within 5 days. All of Orange County is inside South Coast AQMD, so its scrapping and Replace Your Ride programs are open to you too.

Start with the statewide steps: How to get rid of a junk car in California (title, lost title, NRL, BAR retirement amounts and income limits, donating, online buyers, salvage certificates).

1. State retirement payment (BAR CAP)

The Bureau of Automotive Repair pays $1,350, or $1,500 / $2,000 if your household is income-eligible, to retire a car that still drives at a BAR-contracted dismantler. You must be approved before you retire the car. See the full eligibility rules. BAR – Retire my vehicle

2. South Coast AQMD Old-Vehicle Scrapping Program (Rule 1610)

South Coast AQMD licenses private "scrappers" to buy older cars that still run. The scrapper sets the price based on the model year. AQMD says vehicles are generally accepted up to model year 1993, and newer ones likely get only a few hundred dollars. The car must have been registered as operable to an address inside the district for at least 24 months, be driven to the buyback location under its own power, start with its key, and still have its main body parts and lights. When we checked (October 31, 2026), AQMD's list of licensed scrappers included one in Anaheim. Use the list on AQMD's page and call ahead for buyback times. South Coast AQMD – Old-Vehicle Scrapping

3. Replace Your Ride (retire and replace)

AQMD says Replace Your Ride covers all of Orange County. Households at or below 300% of the federal poverty level can retire a running, model year 2010 or older gasoline or diesel car and put the incentive toward a plug-in hybrid, battery-electric or fuel-cell vehicle from a participating dealer. The car must be titled in your name for at least 24 months with no lienholder. Help line: (844) 797-2223. Replace Your Ride – Eligibility

4. Licensed dismantlers and online buyers

For a car that doesn't run, compare offers. Check any dismantler on the DMV's Occupational License Lookup (category Dismantler, then search by city or ZIP). Prices and towing charges aren't published by any official source, so call ahead.

5. Abandoned cars and the 72-hour rule

The Orange County Sheriff's Department says you may park a vehicle on a public street for 72 hours without moving it. If your car has been towed, call the Sheriff at (714) 647-7000 with the plate or VIN to find out where it is. The Sheriff patrols unincorporated areas and the cities that contract with it. In cities with their own police department (Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach and others), report abandoned vehicles to that department. OC Sheriff – FAQs

6. Don't forget the release of liability

After you hand over the car, file a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability with the DMV within 5 days. DMV – NRL

What we couldn't verify

A county-run junk-car program. We didn't find an Orange County government program that buys or tows away residents' junk cars.
Which cities contract with the Sheriff at any given time. Call (714) 647-7000 if you're not sure who patrols your street.
Scrapper and dismantler prices, hours and towing charges. Call ahead.