6 Best Places to Sell a Car for Parts 2026 (Who Pays Most?)
Written byTomas Gutauskas
Tomas Gutauskas
Managing Editor
Expertise
Private Car Sales
Market Valuations
Online Car Buyers
DMV Paperwork & Titles
I want to take the guesswork out of selling your car. I analyze market data, decode DMV title laws, and test out online car buyers to give you a straight answer on whether it's worth holding out for a higher price or if you're better off taking the most convenient offer and moving on.
Published:Mar 2, 2026
Last Updated:Oct 13, 2026
✓ Fact Checked
How we checked this page
We entered five cars worth their parts at Peddle, Wheelzy and CashForCars with the same Florida ZIP code and recorded each online offer, or the screen asking for a call.
The 57% gap for a car with its catalytic converter gone comes from cars quoted through our comparison form, matched by age and mileage.
Each entry's strengths and limits come from our full review of it, linked from the entry.
Each company's score comes from the Sell Car Advisor Awards 2026, which scored 30 services, each against others in its own segment.
Based on5 cars, 15 quotesour testOur reviews of all 6 placesSell Car Advisor Awards 202630 services scored in 4 segments
SellCarAdvisor is reader-supported, when you sign up through links on this post, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. How We Work.
The bottom line: If the engine is shot, the mileage is too high, or the repair costs more than the car is worth, a few online buyers will still make you an offer based on what’s inside it. A car that’s only worth its parts won’t sell on a normal listing, since private buyers want something they can drive home and dealers need a car they can flip.
Each buyer factors in parts value differently. Peddle uses local parts demand, CashForCars routes your car through an auction network where parts buyers compete, and Wheelzy and CarBrain let you negotiate if you know your car has valuable components.
Listing platforms like eBay Motors and Facebook Marketplace let you sell parts individually, but you do all the work yourself.
The winner changed with each of the five vehicles we quoted, so getting quotes from 2 to 3 buyers is the best way to find who offers the most for yours.
What would buyers pay for the whole car as it is?Fill in one form and see what buyers would pay for the whole car, before you take it apart.
Our take on Peddle:Peddle prices cars based on local parts demand, not just what they can resell the vehicle for. When you enter your car, their system checks what buyers in your area are paying for that make and model’s parts. They were the only service that gave an instant quote on every car in our test, including models that other services couldn’t price without a call.
Pros
Factors in local parts demand when building the offer, not just the car’s overall condition
Gave instant quotes on all five test vehicles, including less common models that other services couldn’t price online
Free towing whether your car runs or not, so transport costs don’t eat into what you get for it
Cons
You sell the whole car, not individual parts, so you can’t pull and keep the most valuable components first
Offers can change at pickup if the car’s condition doesn’t match what you described when getting the quote
Pickup windows are 4-hour blocks rather than a specific time
Why we picked it: Peddle offered the most for 3 out of 5 test vehicles, including $2,850 for the Jeep Wrangler, a model with a strong aftermarket parts community. Their ability to price any car for parts instantly, without requiring a call, makes them the most reliable starting point when you don’t know what your car is worth to a parts buyer.
What Peddle says about buying cars for parts:
Best For Negotiating Parts Value: Wheelzy
Cash or check at Pickup
Wheelzy buys cars in any condition, running or not
Our take on Wheelzy:Wheelzy openly states they repair, resell, recycle, or part out vehicles depending on condition. That means when they look at your car, they’re thinking about what the parts are worth, not just the scrap weight. Their initial offers on cars they could price online came in higher than both competitors, though they needed a call for most vehicles in our test.
Pros
Explicitly parts out vehicles as one of their options, so their pricing reflects actual parts value
First offers are negotiable, which matters when you know your car has a good engine or catalytic converter
Free towing and same-day pickup available in many areas
Cons
Couldn’t price 4 out of 5 test vehicles online, so you often can’t skip the phone call to get a parts-based quote
Won’t buy vehicles older than 1981, which cuts out a lot of junk cars that still have usable parts
Independent towing contractors handle pickups, so the experience can vary by location
Why we picked it: When Wheelzy could give an instant quote, they came in the highest. They offered $432 for the Mercedes-Benz E430 compared to $380 from Peddle and $372 from CashForCars. If you know your car has a specific component worth real money, Wheelzy’s negotiable offers give you a chance to push back and capture that value.
What Wheelzy says about buying cars for parts:
Best For Copart Auction Network: CashForCars
Nearly 200 Locations
CashForCars is owned by Copart and buys cars in any condition
Our take on CashForCars:CashForCars is owned by Copart, which runs one of the largest vehicle auction networks in the world. When they buy your car, it goes to auction where licensed buyers compete for it, including dismantlers and parts dealers who know exactly what each component is worth. That network is why their offers on higher-value vehicles were more competitive than you’d expect from a simple scrap buyer.
Pros
Backed by Copart’s auction network where dismantlers and parts buyers compete, which can push offers higher on in-demand models
Nearly 200 locations across the U.S., making pickup faster for cars that can’t be moved easily
Also buys boats, motorcycles, and RVs if you have other vehicles with parts value to sell
Cons
Couldn’t give an instant online quote for 2 out of 5 test vehicles, including the Ford Thunderbird and Kia Sportage
Payment is by check, and how long your bank takes to clear it varies
Won’t buy a car with an active lien, so the title must be clear before they can proceed
Why we picked it: CashForCars offered $1,841 for the Jeep Wrangler and matched Peddle dollar-for-dollar on the 340,000-mile Camry LE. CashForCars says its offers come from real-time market data, not a flat estimate. For a car with strong aftermarket demand, that network tends to produce solid offers.
What CashForCars says about buying cars for parts:
Best For Counter Offer Option: CarBrain
Free Tow, No Hidden Fees
CarBrain specializes in wrecked and broken-down vehicles
Our take on CarBrain:CarBrain specializes in damaged and problem vehicles that have limited resale value but still have good parts. They count close to a million offers made since 2007. What makes them worth including here is that their quote form let us counter the first offer, which matters when you know your car has a specific component, like a working transmission or a low-mileage engine, that should be worth more than their initial number.
Pros
You can counter their first offer, which is useful when you know the car has a high-value part their algorithm may have underpriced
Quotes are valid for 7 days, giving you time to compare against other buyers before committing
Payment happens before the tow truck drives away, so you don’t wait on a check to clear
Cons
Won’t buy cars that are missing the engine or transmission entirely, so heavily stripped vehicles don’t qualify
Offers tend to run lower than competitors on higher-value parts cars, so countering is often needed to get a fair number
The title must be in your name, so cars in a deceased owner’s name need the title transferred first
Why we picked it: When we got a quote, CarBrain’s form let us push back on the first offer. For a car where you’ve done some research and know the catalytic converter, transmission, or engine adds real value, that negotiation option can make a meaningful difference in what you walk away with.
Other Options For Selling a Car for Parts
If you’re willing to do the work yourself, listing platforms let you sell parts individually or find a buyer who wants the whole car for its components. You’ll likely get more money, but photos, listings, buyer messages, and meetups are all on you.
Best For Nationwide Parts Buyers: eBay Motors
eBay Motors lists your car to buyers nationwide
Auction or Fixed PriceAutoCheck IncludedFlat Listing Fee
Our take on eBay Motors:eBay Motors is the best option if you want to sell parts individually rather than the whole car. You can list an engine, transmission or body panels and reach parts buyers nationwide. A used catalytic converter has to be recertified or listed as scrap. Parts pay eBay’s regular selling fees, not the $34 or $79 flat fee it charges to list a whole vehicle.
The advantage over local selling is reach. If the right buyer for your part isn’t nearby, they might be in another state. The downside is you need to pull the part, photograph it, pack it, ship it, and handle any buyer questions. For a whole car with multiple valuable parts, that work adds up fast.
Best For Free Local Listings: Facebook Marketplace
With Facebook Marketplace you sell your car directly to local buyers
Our take on Facebook Marketplace:Facebook Marketplace is free to list and works well for selling parts locally to mechanics, hobbyists, and salvage buyers. You can list individual parts or the entire car. Joining local car enthusiast groups and salvage communities can help you find the right buyer faster than a general listing.
Expect lowball offers and messages from people who aren’t serious. There’s no buyer protection and you handle payment, meetup, and transfer yourself. For a car with parts you’ve already pulled and priced, it’s a solid free option. For a whole car you want gone quickly, an instant buyer is easier.
Sell a Car for Parts: Feature Comparison
Company
How It Works
Payment
Stands Out
Instant online quote, free towing, pickup in 24 to 48 hours
Cash or check at pickup
Prices based on local parts demand
Online form or phone call, free towing, pickup at a time you book
Cash or check at pickup
Openly parts out vehicles; first offers are negotiable
Backed by Copart’s global parts and auction network
Instant online quote, free towing, pickup in 24 to 48 hours
Paid before tow truck leaves
You can counter their first offer; quotes valid 7 days
You list parts or whole car, buyers bid or buy, you ship or arrange pickup
Through eBay checkout (regular selling fees on parts; 2.8% of a whole car’s deposit)
Sell individual parts to shoppers nationwide
Free listing, local buyers message you, you meet in person
Cash in person (no protection)
Free to list, local mechanics and salvage buyers
Selling a Car for Parts: What Each Buyer Offered
We tested Peddle, Wheelzy, and CashForCars on five vehicles with different makes, ages, and conditions to see how parts value shows up in their offers.
All Offers at a Glance
Vehicle
1999 Mercedes-Benz E430
$380
$432
$372
2002 Ford Thunderbird
$135
Required call
Required call
2006 Kia Sportage
$410
Required call
Required call
2008 Jeep Wrangler
$2,850
Required call
$1,841
2008 Toyota Camry LE
$375
Required call
$375
Mercedes E430
Ford Thunderbird
Kia Sportage
Jeep Wrangler
Toyota Camry LE
1999 Mercedes-Benz E430
179,806 miles · Used condition
$432
$380
$372
2002 Ford Thunderbird
57,878 miles · Used condition
$135
Required call
Required call
2006 Kia Sportage
142,500 miles · Used condition
$410
Required call
Required call
2008 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
59,333 miles · Used condition
$2,850
$1,841
Required call
2008 Toyota Camry LE
340,000 miles · Used condition
$375
$375
Required call
We got these quotes with a Florida ZIP code. Your offers can be higher or lower, because they depend on where you live, your car’s condition and what buyers need in your area.
What This Tells Us
What this tells us:
Cars with strong parts communities, like the Jeep Wrangler, saw the widest spread between buyers, which means shopping around matters more for high-demand vehicles.
Less common models like the Ford Thunderbird struggled to get instant quotes from more than one service, suggesting buyers price what they can confidently sell through their own network.
High mileage alone doesn’t kill a parts offer. The Camry LE with 340,000 miles got competitive quotes because Toyota parts stay in demand long past the car’s useful life.
Buyers backed by auction networks priced vehicles differently than standalone buyers, which shows in the offer gap on the Wrangler.
When two buyers tie on a vehicle, it’s a signal the floor for that car’s parts is well-established and any buyer will land near the same number.
If your car has a high-value component like a working catalytic converter or low-mileage engine, getting a negotiable quote from a service that explicitly parts out vehicles may get you more than an automated instant offer.
Getting quotes from all three instant buyers takes about 10 minutes and the difference can be over $1,000 on the right vehicle.
To see what different buyers offer for your parts car, get quotes from several at once:
Compare instant offers before you accept one
Compare instant offers before you accept one
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to sell a car for parts?
The fastest way is an instant offer service like Peddle, Wheelzy, or CashForCars. They factor in parts value, handle towing for free, and pay at pickup.
If you want more money and have the time, you can pull the most valuable parts and sell them separately on eBay Motors or Facebook Marketplace.
How much can I get for selling a car for parts?
It depends on the make, model, mileage, and what parts are still good. In our test, offers ranged from $135 for a 2002 Ford Thunderbird to $2,850 for a 2008 Jeep Wrangler.
Vehicles with large aftermarket communities and high parts demand almost always get better offers than rare or low-selling models.
Does Peddle factor in parts value when making an offer?
Yes. Peddle says they consider local parts demand when building offers, which means two identical cars in different cities can get different quotes.
They gave instant quotes on all five test vehicles and offered the most on three of them, including the highest-value car in the group.
Does CashForCars part out vehicles?
Not directly. CashForCars is owned by Copart, which auctions vehicles to a global network of licensed buyers.
Those buyers then repair, recycle, or part out vehicles depending on condition and demand. Your car ends up with someone who knows its parts value, which is reflected in what CashForCars offers you upfront.
Is it better to sell a car whole or part it out yourself?
Parting it out yourself usually gets more money but takes weeks of work. You need tools, space, and buyers for each component. Selling the whole car to an instant buyer is much faster.
They’ll include the parts value in their offer and handle towing.
If you have one or two specific high-value parts, like a good catalytic converter or a working transmission, pulling those and selling them first, then selling the rest to a buyer, can be a good middle ground.
Before you pull the catalytic converter, weigh what it would bring on its own against what it takes off the offer for the rest of the car: in our offer data, buyers offer about 57% less for a car with its catalytic converter gone than for a comparable car with it.
What car parts are worth the most money?
Catalytic converters, engines, transmissions, and infotainment systems tend to bring the most. Doors, fenders, and bumpers in good shape also sell well. The value depends heavily on make and model.
Parts for Toyotas, Hondas, and Jeeps are in the highest demand because there are so many of those vehicles on the road.
Can I sell a non-running car for parts?
Yes. All four buyer services on this list buy non-running cars. A car that won’t start can still have a working transmission, good body panels, functioning electronics, and a catalytic converter worth real money.
Towing is free with Peddle, Wheelzy, CashForCars, and CarBrain.
Do I need a title to sell a car for parts?
Most buyers require a title. Wheelzy can sometimes work with cars without a title in cases like lost titles or deceased owners, and Peddle’s form quotes a car with no title too.
CashForCars and CarBrain all require the title to be in your name before they’ll proceed.
Can I sell a car with missing parts?
Yes, but be upfront about what’s missing when you get the quote. Services like Peddle and CashForCars will still make an offer, but missing parts lower the number.
CarBrain won’t buy a car that’s missing the engine or transmission entirely.
If the driver finds something missing at pickup that you didn’t disclose, the offer may drop. Being honest upfront keeps the pickup smooth, but an instant offer can still change before you’re paid.
How fast can I sell a car for parts?
With an instant buyer, you can get a quote in about 2 minutes and have the car picked up within 24 to 48 hours. Some areas offer same-day pickup.
Selling parts one at a time on eBay Motors or Facebook Marketplace takes longer, because each part waits for its own buyer, and how long depends on which parts you’re selling and the demand for them.
Methodology
We tested five vehicles across three instant offer services: Peddle, Wheelzy, and CashForCars. The vehicles included a 1999 Mercedes-Benz E430 with 179,806 miles, a 2002 Ford Thunderbird with 57,878 miles, a 2006 Kia Sportage with 142,500 miles, a 2008 Jeep Wrangler Sahara with 59,333 miles, and a 2008 Toyota Camry LE with 340,000 miles.
All quotes were requested using the same Florida zip code. We answered all condition questions honestly and captured screenshots of every result, including screens that required a phone call instead of showing an instant offer.
Peddle gave instant quotes on all 5 vehicles. CashForCars gave instant quotes on 3 out of 5. Wheelzy gave an instant quote on 1 out of 5 and required a phone call for the remaining four.
We did not accept any offers. These are quote amounts only, not completed sales. Results may vary based on your location, your car’s actual condition, and current parts demand in your area.
Highest offer: Peddle quoted all five cars online and offered the most for three, with its biggest offer $2,850 for a 2008 Jeep Wrangler.
One online quote: Wheelzy offered the most for a 1999 Mercedes-Benz E430, $432, but asked for a phone call before quoting the other four cars.
Matched Peddle: CashForCars matched Peddle’s $375 for a 2008 Toyota Camry LE with 340,000 miles.
Negotiating: CarBrain’s quote form let us counter its first offer, so you can push back when you know the car has a part worth more.
