Pricing and Offers
What Photos to Send for a Junk Car Offer
You have three shots, and you are standing in the rain next to a dead car. There is no need for a nice picture. A buyer wants to see what is there, what is gone and how a truck gets to it.
This short guide tells you which three photos to take with your phone and what to keep out of them.
Short answer
Send three photos: one from a front corner showing the front and one side, one from the opposite rear corner showing the back and the other side, and one of the worst problem or the spot where the car is parked. Use daylight, step back far enough to fit the whole car, and leave out personal documents.
The three photos that help most
Our pickup form accepts up to 3 photos. These angles cover the most ground.
Photo 1: front corner
Stand off the front corner so you catch the whole front and one side in a single frame. It shows the hood, bumper, headlights, glass and wheels on that side.
Photo 2: opposite rear corner
Walk to the far corner at the back. Now you have the rear and the other side. Between photos 1 and 2 you have shown every side of the car.
Photo 3: your choice
Pick whichever will tell us the most. See the table below.
Choosing the third photo
| If your situation is | Make photo 3 | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
| Major crash or fire damage | A close view of the worst area | How far the damage goes |
| Parts gone | The empty engine bay, or the missing wheel or part | What is really missing |
| Tight garage, narrow driveway or a gated lot | A wide view from where a truck would come in | How the truck reaches it |
| Clean car with an engine problem | The interior, or the odometer if it is on | Overall condition |
| Sitting a long time | Tires and the ground under the car | Whether it rolls, and any leaks |
If more than one applies, choose the one you could not easily explain in words. You can describe the rest in the form’s message or on the phone. Our guide on what to tell a buyer lists what to say.
How to take them
- Take them in daylight if you can. In a garage, turn on all the lights and use the flash.
- Step back until the whole car fits, then hold the phone level.
- Move anything blocking the view if you safely can. Do not climb under the car or on top of it.
- Take new photos today. An old photo may not show what has happened since.
- Show the damage. A photo that hides the bad side can lead to a surprise when the truck comes.
- If the car is on a busy street, stay on the sidewalk side and watch for traffic. No photo is worth stepping into a lane.
What to leave out
A photo can show more than you mean to share. Before you send one to anyone, check the frame.
- Your signed title or ID. A buyer does not need a picture of these to quote a car. Keep them for the pickup, and be careful with who gets a signed title. See who to give a signed title to.
- Mail, medication or papers on the seat. Clear them out, which you need to do anyway. See what to remove before you junk a car.
- Family members and house numbers you don’t want to share. Frame them out, especially if you are sending photos to someone you found on a marketplace.
If you send photos to a stranger, it is sensible to check who they are first. You can search for a hauler, wrecker or scrap processor on DOL’s license lookup. Our red flags guide covers what to check.
If you can’t take photos
Photos are helpful but you do not need them to talk to us. If you are out of town, the car is buried or your phone is not cooperating, call (206) 941-0612 and describe the car. We are open 7 days, 8 AM to 11 PM, and we call back within 4 hours.
Photos help us understand the car before the truck goes out. They do not replace the rest of the details, and they do not lock in a number. We use them along with the year and model, condition, parts demand, weight and size, and towing distance. For the wider picture, see what your junk car is worth and how our process works.
Common questions
Official sources
This post summarizes official Washington guidance as of November 2, 2026. It is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees can change, so check the sources above for your situation.
Keep reading
- Washington Junk Car Seller’s GuideEvery guide, sorted by where you are in the decision
- Washington Junk Car Paperwork GuideThe documents you need before pickup
- What to Tell a Buyer to Get an Accurate Junk Car Quote
- Is Free Junk Car Towing Really Free?
- Can You Sell a Car With Missing Parts?
- Does Mileage Matter When You Junk a Car?
- Sell a Junk Car Whole or Part It Out Yourself?
- How to Take Cash for a Junk Car Safely
How we can help
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They made it so easy and fast! I called them gave them all the details and they came within the hour towed the car and gave us cash on the spot will definitely recommend them :)
Very fast service. The tow truck driver was very skilled at getting my SUV out of a tight spot. I appreciate how easy it was to work with this company. Highly recommend 💞
Fast same day service. I just had to make sure we had the title and the truck was clean and we were good to go! Thanks for getting rid of our old truck for free.
If you have any questions please call us at 206-941-0612