How to Sell a Non-Running Car for Cash

Short answer: yes — you can absolutely sell a non-running car for cash, and it's often worth more than you'd expect. A car that won't start still has value in its parts, scrap metal, and — on popular models — rebuild value. Here's what it's worth, how the sale works, and what you need.

What a dead car is actually worth

A non-running car is valued on three things: resellable parts (engine, transmission, body panels, electronics), scrap metal by weight, and the catalytic converter, which contains precious metals and is often the single most valuable part on the car. So a complete non-runner with its converter intact is worth noticeably more than one that's been stripped. Kelley Blue Book won't help here — it values running, tradeable cars — so the only accurate number is an as-is cash offer. Want a ballpark first? Try the junk car value calculator.

You don't need to fix anything

Don't spend money getting it running or cleaning it up. We buy non-running, dead-battery, blown-engine, seized-motor, and won't-start cars exactly as they are. If a repair would cost more than the car is worth after it's fixed, selling as-is almost always comes out ahead — get a repair quote and an as-is offer and compare the two numbers.

How the sale works

1. Get an instant offer by phone or online — year, make, model, and what's wrong.
2. We schedule a free pickup — towing is included, so nothing comes off your price.
3. You're paid at pickup, cash or check, when we load the car.

Have your title and ID ready to speed it up. No title? Here's how to sell a junk car without one.

Blown engine, flood, wreck — still a yes

"Non-running" covers a lot: blown engines, seized transmissions, flood and water damage, and accident damage. We buy all of it as-is — just describe the real condition so your quote holds at pickup. In the Houston area, see exactly who buys junk cars that don't run.

In short: a car that won't run is still worth cash — mostly for parts, metal, and the converter. Skip the repairs, get a free as-is offer, and we'll tow it free and pay you on the spot. Get your quote.