Sell Your Junk Car in Washington – Cash Offer & Free Towing
Have a damaged, totaled, old, or non-running car in Washington? You can request an offer for it as-is instead of repairing it or arranging a separate tow first. Samy Junk Cars has purchased unwanted vehicles nationwide since 2009, and free towing is included when a vehicle is purchased.
If you sell the vehicle, signing over the title does not finish your part of the transaction. Take your Washington plates off before the car leaves, keep your sale information, and file the seller’s Report of Sale within five business days.
The Signed Title Doesn’t Finish Your Part of the Sale
Washington separates the ownership handoff from the seller’s post-sale notice. Before the vehicle leaves, complete the applicable title and sale paperwork. Then remove your plates and make sure you have the buyer information needed for the Report of Sale. The Washington Department of Licensing seller instructions walk through the current process.
| When | Washington Seller Check |
|---|---|
| Before the handoff | Check the ownership document and complete the applicable sale information. |
| When the car leaves | Remove your Washington license plates. |
| Within five business days | File the seller’s Vehicle Report of Sale. |
Take the Plates Off Before the Car Leaves
Do not let your Washington plates leave with the vehicle. DOL says the seller is legally required to remove them. That step also helps protect you from later towing charges, parking or speed-camera tickets, and toll bills tied to the vehicle after the sale. Plates may be transferable to another qualifying vehicle you own, or they can be surrendered through a vehicle licensing office.
File the Report of Sale Within Five Business Days
After the handoff, file Washington’s Vehicle Report of Sale. The official form says the seller should file it within five business days of the sale. It documents that you gave up ownership and helps protect you if the new owner later incurs towing charges or other liabilities connected with the vehicle.
Keep your confirmation or a copy of the filed report with your sale records. Do not assume that giving the buyer the signed title automatically completes this separate seller step.
A Bill of Sale Is Not the Report of Sale
Washington’s official Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale makes this distinction clear: completing the Bill of Sale does not transfer the title and does not act as the seller’s Report of Sale. They serve different purposes, so keep your transaction paperwork and file the Report of Sale separately.
Can’t Find the Washington Title?
Tell us before pickup rather than assuming a Bill of Sale alone solves the problem. Washington has more than one way to address a missing title, including a replacement title and, in some situations, an Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest. The right route depends on the ownership and lien record, so start with the state’s lost-title guidance.
If Insurance Already Declared the Vehicle a Total Loss
Say so before pickup. Washington uses a separate destroyed or salvage process once a vehicle has formally been declared a total loss. DOL says a registered or legal owner must surrender the title within 15 days of the vehicle’s destruction, while an insurer has a separate 15-day period after claim settlement. The Washington salvage guidance explains the official process.
Tell Us What Works, What Doesn’t, and Where the Car Is
You do not need to diagnose every problem. Give us the year, make, model and mileage; whether the car starts, drives, rolls and steers; any major damage or missing parts; what ownership paperwork you have; and where the vehicle is parked.
Non-running, wrecked, damaged, old, and unwanted vehicles can be considered. The What We Buy page covers the broader vehicle and condition categories without turning this Washington page into another long list.
Mention locked wheels, missing tires, no keys, a parking garage, repair shop, gate, soft ground, low clearance, or another access problem before pickup is arranged. The seller FAQ confirms that towing is free for vehicles purchased.
Local Washington Pickup Information
For city-specific details, use the published pages for Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Vancouver, or Bellevue. If the vehicle is elsewhere in Washington, send the ZIP code and exact pickup address with the vehicle details.
Questions Washington Sellers Ask Before the Handoff
Is a Washington Bill of Sale the same as a Report of Sale?
No. Washington’s official Bill of Sale says it does not transfer title and does not act as the seller’s Report of Sale. The Report of Sale is a separate filing.
How long do I have to file the Washington Report of Sale?
The official Vehicle Report of Sale says to file within five business days of the sale. Keep a copy or confirmation after filing.
Do I leave my Washington license plates on the vehicle?
No. Washington DOL requires the seller to remove the plates when the vehicle changes hands.
Can I request an offer if the car does not run?
Yes. Non-running vehicles can be considered. Tell us whether the car rolls, steers, has keys, remains on its wheels, and can be reached safely for pickup.
Find Out What the Vehicle Is Worth As-Is
Share the vehicle’s condition, ownership status, and pickup location before putting more money into repairs. Review the offer without obligation, and if the vehicle is purchased, free towing is included. After the handoff, take your plates and remember the five-business-day Report of Sale.