Start with what’s in the drawer
Most people who think they have “no title” actually have something: a registration card in the glove box, an insurance card, the bill of sale from years ago, or a title that’s in the wrong name. Before you decide the car can’t be sold, look for all of it.
Then call us and read out what you found. We’ll tell you whether we can buy the car with those papers, or what you’d need to get first.
Why we can’t promise more up front
Illinois treats the sale of a vehicle for scrap as a title transaction with record-keeping rules for the buyer. What works depends on the car’s age, whose name it’s in and what paperwork exists. A blanket promise that any car sells without papers would be easy to print and wrong for a lot of cars, so we don’t print it. Our guide to junking a car without a title in Illinois explains what the state’s rules say, with links to the official sources.
The common situations
The title is lost. The owner on record can usually request a duplicate from the Illinois Secretary of State. It takes time, so ask us first; it may not be needed.
The car belongs to someone who died. The family can often sell it, but the person signing needs the authority to do so. See junking a car after the owner dies.
There’s still a loan. The lender’s lien has to be released before the car can be sold. See junking a car with a loan.
You bought it and never transferred the title. Bring the signed title or bill of sale you got from the seller and tell us the whole story; the details matter.
After the paperwork
The rest is the same as any sale: an offer on the phone, free towing (how pickup works), and payment at pickup by Zelle, Cash App or cash. Have your ID with you when the driver arrives.
We buy cars with paperwork questions all over the Southwest Side, from Archer Heights and Brighton Park to Evergreen Park. If the car also doesn’t run, that’s fine too (non-running cars).
Tell us about the car and pick the title answer that fits; we’ll take it from there.
Questions people ask
What papers should I look for?
Start with the title. If it's gone, find the registration card, any old insurance card, a bill of sale from when you bought the car and your driver's license. Have the VIN handy too; it's on the dashboard at the windshield and on the driver's door frame.
My mother passed away and the car is still in her name. Can I sell it?
Often, yes, once you have the right authority to sell for the estate. Illinois has specific routes for that, depending on whether there's a will or a court case. Our guide on junking a car after the owner dies explains them.
Will you buy a car with a loan still on it?
Not until the lien is dealt with. A car with an open loan isn't fully yours to sell. Our guide on junking a car with a loan covers the payoff and lien release steps.