Pickup Day
How to Get Your Car Ready for Junk Car Pickup
The pickup is booked and you have a vague sense of having things to do. You could spend an afternoon on the wrong ones, like cleaning a car that is about to be crushed.
Here is the order we would do it in. Most of it takes minutes. The two things that can actually hold up the sale are a paperwork problem and a truck that can’t reach the car, so those come first.
Short answer
Start with paperwork: find the title or other ownership document and check for a lender. Then clear a path for the truck, empty the car, and have a screwdriver ready for the plates. Do not drain fluids, pull parts or buy tires. Be there at pickup to hand over the paperwork and get paid, then file your Report of Sale.
The order to do it in
As soon as you book: paperwork
Find the title, or work out which document you will use. We need one of three: Title, Affidavit in Lieu of Title or Junk Vehicle Affidavit. If a lender is listed, deal with that first (lien guide). Find out whether every owner listed can sign.
As soon as you book: tell us about surprises
Missing keys, flat tires, missing parts or a tricky spot are all worth mentioning now. Send up to 3 photos on the pickup form.
The day before: empty the car
Go through it with our clean-out checklist. Take your toll pass and garage opener. Clear personal data if the car still powers on.
The day before: clear the way
Move other cars, bikes and bins. If a manager or neighbor needs to know, tell them. Our guides to tight spots and apartment lots cover this.
The morning of: set out your kit
Have the title, your ID, the keys, a pen, your phone for photos and a screwdriver for the plates. Keep your phone on, so the driver can reach you.
At pickup: finish the sale
Agree on the amount, get paid, sign, photograph the paperwork, take your plates. DOL says sellers are legally obligated to remove them.
That day: file your report
File your Report of Sale online while the details are fresh. The legal limit is five business days. Our after-the-sale guide covers plates, insurance and tabs.
What to leave alone
It’s tempting to do extra work on the car. These are the jobs to skip:
| Skip this | Why |
|---|---|
| Draining oil, antifreeze or gas | It adds risk and waste you then have to deal with. Vehicles we buy go to auto steel recyclers, where fluids are drained. If it is leaking, see what to do about a leak. |
| Pulling parts, wheels or the battery | Condition is part of an offer, and an incomplete vehicle may carry a pickup fee or may be declined. Ask first. See selling a car with missing parts. |
| Buying tires or a key | Don’t spend money to make a dead car look better. See flat tires and no keys. |
| Washing or vacuuming | It will not change what happens to the car. |
| Jacking it up or crawling under it | The risk isn’t worth it. Tell us how it sits, and leave it there. |
| Signing the title early | Wait until you are with the buyer. Here is why. |
Insurance, tabs and timing
Keep your insurance on the car until it is actually gone. If you cancel early and something happens to the car before pickup, you could be left with a problem you did not need. After pickup, call your insurer and give the date of sale.
Don’t renew tabs for a car you are about to sell, if you can help it. If you already renewed early and the new tabs are unused, DOL’s refunds page says you can send them back with a bill of sale or report of sale. Refunds take 1 to 3 months.
One-page checklist
- Ownership document found and read.
- All owners available, or a plan for signing.
- Any lender dealt with.
- Buyer told about keys, tires, missing parts and access.
- Car emptied, including toll pass and garage opener.
- Path clear for the truck.
- ID, keys, pen and screwdriver ready.
- Buyer’s full name and address written down for your report.
- Insurance still on until the car has left.
If something is not ready on the day
Call us. If the paperwork isn’t sorted out, it’s better to find out before the truck heads your way. If a lost title is the holdup, see selling without a title. If the car is registered in your name in Washington, call and we will try to help.
We are open 7 days, 8 AM to 11 PM, at (206) 941-0612. How it works shows the steps from our side.
Common questions
Official sources
- Washington DOL: Sell a vehicle
- Washington DOL: Report a vehicle sale online
- RCW 46.12.650: Report of sale and transfer
- Washington DOL: Refunds
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
- Do I Need to Be There for Junk Car Pickup?
- Can You Junk a Car With No Keys?
- Junk Car With Flat Tires or No Wheels
- Getting a Junk Car Out of a Tight Spot
- Junking a Car From an Apartment or Condo Lot
- How to Junk a Car Sitting at a Repair Shop
How we can help
4.9 out of 5 from 160 Google reviews · Licensed & insured · 20+ years in business
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