The bottom line: A missing title doesn’t mean your car is worthless. Peddle, Wheelzy and CashForCars all accepted no-title cars when we quoted five of them.
Online buyers are the ones to try, because most private buyers won’t even look at a car without a title, and dealerships will usually turn you away.
Each buyer handles a missing title differently. Some have a “no title” option in their form, and some need to check your state’s rules by phone.
The winner changed with the car, so get quotes from 2 to 3 buyers to find who offers the most for yours.
What would buyers pay for your car without a title?Fill in one form, answering “I don’t have the title”, and see which buyers make an offer for the car as it is.
Key Takeaways
- Who buys it: Peddle and CashForCars priced all five of our no-title cars online and Wheelzy three, while dealers usually turn you away and Carvana and CarMax need the title, so put the two online quotes first.
- What buyers offered: Buyers offered $265 to $793 for our five no-title cars, 1997 to 2006 with 91,751 to 235,455 miles, the top two for a Highlander SUV and a Silverado pickup, so place an older sedan lower.
- Who offered most: CashForCars or Wheelzy made the top offer on every no-title car, $62 to $438 above Peddle, so if you can get a duplicate title, quote both before you take Peddle’s no-title offer.
- Watch out for: CashForCars’ offer holds when a title in your name is ready at pickup, so if you can wait for a duplicate, get it before you accept.
- If you can’t wait: Start with Peddle, whose form has a no-title answer, so its offer already prices the car as you’ll hand it over.
- Selling it locally: A local junk yard may pay cash on the spot and tow the car, but offers vary by yard and some won’t buy untitled cars, so set two or three local quotes beside the online ones.
- Your state decides: Whether you can sell without a title depends on your state: some accept a registration or a bill of sale as proof, and others need the title for any sale.
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Offer amount 30% 5/5
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Quote speed 20% 5/5
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Pickup speed 20% 4/5
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Vehicle acceptance 15% 5/5
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Process ease 15% 5/5
- Buys any car in any condition, running or not
- Free towing, with no fees taken off the offer
- You can cancel before pickup at no cost
- Pays by check on the spot at pickup
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Offer amount 30% 5/5
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Quote speed 20% 5/5
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Pickup speed 20% 5/5
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Vehicle acceptance 15% 4/5
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Process ease 15% 4/5
- Buys damaged cars, even ones that can't be driven
- The engine and transmission must still be in
- Free towing, included with every offer
- Picks up within 48 hours, sometimes the same day
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Offer amount 30% 4.5/5
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Quote speed 20% 5/5
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Pickup speed 20% 4/5
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Vehicle acceptance 15% 4/5
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Process ease 15% 2/5
- Owned by Copart, the salvage auction company
- Buys almost any vehicle with a motor, running or not
- Free towing, and it handles the title transfer
- Hands you a check at pickup, or mails it
Automated assistant: general info, not legal advice
Answers come from our state paperwork data and published guides. Confirm anything binding with your state DMV.
Compare Instant Offers
Best Places to Sell a Car Without a Title
Best For Flexible Paperwork: Peddle
Peddle buys junk, salvage, and non-running cars
- Free towing
- Fast payment
- Buys non running cars
- Pays by check at pickup
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Offer amount 30% 5/5
-
Quote speed 20% 5/5
-
Pickup speed 20% 4/5
-
Vehicle acceptance 15% 5/5
-
Process ease 15% 5/5
Our take on Peddle: Peddle has a title status field built into their quote form that includes options for lost titles and deceased owners. When you select “no title,” a popup warns that a missing title may lower your offer, but the quote still goes through. That’s different from buyers who stop the process or require a phone call the moment they see no title is available. Peddle’s willingness to quote no-title cars without interrupting the online process is what makes them the most consistent option here.
Pros
- Accepts cars without a title for deceased owners or lost titles
- Up to seven days to accept the offer
- Free towing and pickup within 24 to 48 hours nationwide
Cons
- Offers were the lowest of the 3 tested buyers on all 5 vehicles
- Missing title means even lower offers than their standard quotes
- In some cases, no offer is available without a title and you’ll need a duplicate
Why we picked it: Peddle gave us an instant number on all 5, no questions asked. Their offers were lower, but the consistency means you’ll always walk away with a quote you can compare against other buyers.
What Peddle says about buying cars without a title:
Best For Fast Local Pickup: Wheelzy
Wheelzy buys cars in any condition, running or not
- Buys cars without keys
- Buys cars missing parts, engine and transmission in
- Pays cash or check at pickup
- Quote often needs a phone call
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Offer amount 30% 5/5
-
Quote speed 20% 5/5
-
Pickup speed 20% 5/5
-
Vehicle acceptance 15% 4/5
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Process ease 15% 4/5
Our take on Wheelzy: Wheelzy says they may be able to buy your car without a title, depending on where you live. Title rules vary by state, so their process sometimes involves a phone call to figure out if they can work with you. When they can give you an online quote, their offers were competitive.
Pros
- Pays cash or check right when the tow truck arrives at your door
- Same-day pickup available in many areas, even for cars without a title
- Free towing whether your car runs or not
Cons
- Not every no-title car gets an instant online quote; some need a phone call first
- Whether they buy without a title depends on your state’s rules
- Some BBB complaints mention last-minute price changes at pickup
Why we picked it: On the 3 vehicles where Wheelzy gave an instant quote, they offered $412 each and beat Peddle by $107 to $147. They also offer same-day pickup in many areas, which makes them the fastest option if you need your car gone quickly and they cover your state.
What Wheelzy says about buying cars without a title:
Best For Highest Instant Offers: CashForCars
CashForCars is owned by Copart and buys cars in any condition
- Free towing from nearly 200 locations
- Buys any vehicle with a motor, running or not
- Backed by Copart auction yards
- Pays a check right at pickup
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Offer amount 30% 4.5/5
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Quote speed 20% 5/5
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Pickup speed 20% 4/5
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Vehicle acceptance 15% 4/5
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Process ease 15% 2/5
Our take on CashForCars: CashForCars has a clear “I Do Not Have A Title” option built right into their quote form. An offer still depends on a title, though. CashForCars can cancel the sale if you can’t hand one over at pickup, and its title specialists help you replace a lost one. They’re owned by Copart, one of the biggest auto auction companies in the country, which means they have a large buyer network ready in most areas.
Pros
- Their quote form includes a specific “no title” option so you know right away if they’ll buy
- Around 200 locations across the country, backed by Copart’s auction network
- Towing is free no matter where your car is parked
Cons
- Payment is by check, so you’ll wait for your bank to clear it before you can use the money
- You talk to different people for quoting, scheduling, and pickup, which can cause confusion
- They contact you a lot after you request a quote
Why we picked it: CashForCars beat the other two buyers on the Silverado ($536), Highlander ($793), and Monte Carlo ($402). Their quote form has a built-in “no title” option, but the sale goes through only once you have a title in your name at pickup. The whole process takes about 2 minutes.
How CashForCars asks about your title in their quote form:
Best For Negotiating Your Price: CarBrain
CarBrain specializes in wrecked and broken-down vehicles
- Pickup 24 to 48 hours after accepting
- Buys totaled and wrecked cars
- Buys cars with blown engines
- Handles bad transmission sales
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Offer amount 30% 3/5
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Quote speed 20% 4/5
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Pickup speed 20% 4/5
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Vehicle acceptance 15% 3/5
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Process ease 15% 5/5
Our take on CarBrain: CarBrain requires the title to be in your name before they can buy, which puts them in a different category from the other services on this list. They’re not a no-title option today, but they become a strong option if you’re willing to get a duplicate title from your DMV first. Once you have the title, you can counter CarBrain’s first offer on its quote form, a step we saw ourselves, if you think it underpriced your car.
Pros
- You can counter their first offer if you think your car is worth more
- Buys junk cars, wrecked cars, and vehicles with high mileage
- Free towing and payment before the truck takes your car
Cons
- Requires the title to be in your name, so you may need a duplicate title first
- Won’t buy cars that are missing the engine or transmission
- Offers are sometimes lower than competitors for the same vehicle
Why we picked it: CarBrain’s form let us counter its first offer, so once your duplicate title arrives you have a way to push for more. If you’re willing to get a duplicate title from your local DMV, CarBrain gives you more control over your final price. Their quotes are good for 7 days, so you have time to compare with other buyers too.
Other Options to Sell a Car Without a Title
Online buyers aren’t the only way to sell a car without a title. If you’d rather deal in person, local junk car buyers are worth checking out.
Carvana and CarMax aren’t options yet: both need the title, or your lender’s payoff details if a loan holds it, so try them once your duplicate arrives.
Best For Cash Deals In Person: Local Junk Car Buyers
Our take on local junk car buyers: Local junk car buyers and salvage yards sometimes buy cars without a title, depending on your state’s laws. Many of them pay cash on the spot and handle their own towing. You can often find them by searching for “junk car buyers near me” or checking with nearby salvage yards.
The trade-off is that you’ll need to call around and compare prices yourself. Offers can vary a lot from one buyer to the next. Some local yards only want certain makes or models, and others may not buy without a title at all. Always get at least 2 to 3 local quotes before accepting one.
Sell a Car Without a Title: Feature Comparison
| Company | Buys Without Title? | How It Works | Stands Out |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Yes, with lower offer | Online quote in 2 min, free pickup in 24 to 48 hours | Quoted all 5 no-title vehicles instantly |
|
Depends on your state | Online quote or call, free same-day pickup possible | Same-day pickup in many areas |
|
No, needs a title at pickup | Online quote in 2 min, free pickup near 200 locations | Highest offers on 3 of 5 test vehicles |
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No, title must be in your name | Online quote, free pickup in 24 to 48 hours | You can counter their first offer |
| Local Junk Car Buyers | Varies by state and yard | Call local yards, get quotes, they pick up | Cash on the spot in person |
Selling a Car Without a Title: What Each Buyer Offered
We submitted 5 vehicles without a title to Peddle, Wheelzy, and CashForCars using a Florida zip code. Here’s what each company offered.
All Offers at a Glance
| Vehicle | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 Toyota Celica GT | $300 | $412 | $402 |
| 1999 Chevrolet Silverado K1500 | $265 | $412 | $536 |
| 2003 Dodge Neon SE | $305 | $412 | $402 |
| 2005 Toyota Highlander | $355 | Required call | $793 |
| 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS | $340 | Required call | $402 |
1997 Toyota Celica
1999 Chevy Silverado
2003 Dodge Neon
2005 Toyota Highlander
2006 Chevy Monte Carlo
1997 Toyota Celica GT
162,000 miles · No title
| $412 |
| $402 |
| $300 |
1999 Chevrolet Silverado K1500
191,000 miles · No title
| $536 |
| $412 |
| $265 |
2003 Dodge Neon SE
235,455 miles · No title
| $412 |
| $402 |
| $305 |
2005 Toyota Highlander
161,000 miles · No title
| $793 |
| $355 |
| Required call |
2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
91,751 miles · No title
| $402 |
| $340 |
| 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:
- The gap between the highest and lowest offer grew wider on vehicles worth more, like trucks and SUVs.
- Wheelzy gave the same flat offer on all 3 vehicles where they quoted instantly, which suggests they may use a set minimum for no-title cars rather than pricing each car individually.
- Not every buyer can handle a missing title the same way online. Some need to check your state’s rules by phone first, which adds friction if you need a quick answer.
- A missing title lowers your options, but it doesn’t eliminate them. All three online buyers we tested still made offers.
- Buyers backed by large networks like Copart tend to offer more because they have more ways to resell or part out your car regardless of title status.
- If you can get a duplicate title from your DMV first, you’ll open up more buyers and likely get better offers across the board.
- A missing title creates a legal barrier, not just a price one. The buyers who handle it best are the ones who built title status directly into their quote process.
Want to see how much your car is worth? Try our free tool to get quotes from multiple buyers at once.
Compare instant offers before you accept one
Compare instant offers before you accept one
Frequently Asked Questions
Which company is best for buying a car without a title?
CashForCars offered the most money on 3 out of 5 vehicles in our test. They also have a specific “no title” option in their quote form. Peddle is the most flexible because they quoted every vehicle instantly, even without a title.
The best option depends on your car and location. Getting quotes from 2 to 3 buyers takes just a few minutes and can mean hundreds of dollars more.
How do I get a duplicate title for my car?
Visit your local DMV and fill out a duplicate title application. You’ll need your ID, the VIN, and a fee, which depends on your state.
Processing time depends on your state. Some states offer rush processing for an extra fee. If you’re in a hurry, check with your DMV about expedited options.
How much less will I get for a car without a title?
It depends on the buyer. In our test, all 3 companies still made offers on no-title cars. Peddle warns that a missing title may lower your offer, but they still quote the car. CashForCars and Wheelzy didn’t show a separate warning.
If you can get a duplicate title first, you’ll likely get better offers across the board.
Can you junk a car without a title?
Many junkyards and salvage yards will buy cars without a title, depending on your state’s laws. Some states require proof of ownership like a registration or bill of sale. Others allow junkyards to apply for a title on your behalf.
Call a few local yards to ask. Prices vary a lot from one yard to the next, so get at least 2 to 3 quotes.
Is it legal to sell a car without a title?
It depends on your state. Some states allow the sale of a vehicle with alternative proof of ownership, such as a registration or a signed bill of sale. Others require a title for any transfer.
Wheelzy handles the legal details for you based on your state’s rules and tells you what you need during the quote. With Peddle, you choose “no title” on the quote form, and after you accept, its tow company tells you which ownership documents it can take.
Can I sell a car without a title if I still owe money on it?
This is very difficult. If you have a loan, the lender holds the title. You’d need to pay off the loan first to get the title released. Peddle, Wheelzy and CashForCars want the lien released first, and CarBrain pays off a lender only when its offer is $1,000 or more and covers the loan.
What paperwork do I need to sell a car without a title?
Each buyer and state has different requirements. Common alternatives to a title include your vehicle registration, a valid ID, and a signed bill of sale. Some states also accept a VIN verification form.
Peddle’s tow company tells you which documents it needs after you accept, and some CashForCars sellers were asked for a power of attorney or a lien release late in the sale.
How fast can I sell a car without a title?
If an online buyer accepts your car without a title, the process can take as little as 24 to 48 hours from quote to pickup. Wheelzy even offers same-day pickup in some areas.
If you need to get a duplicate title first, add your DMV’s processing time. Some states offer faster turnaround for an extra fee.
Methodology
We selected 5 vehicles to test how online car buyers handle cars without a title: a 1997 Toyota Celica GT (162,000 miles), a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado K1500 (191,000 miles), a 2003 Dodge Neon SE (235,455 miles), a 2005 Toyota Highlander (161,000 miles), and a 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS (91,751 miles).
We submitted each vehicle to Peddle, Wheelzy, and CashForCars using the same Florida zip code. For each quote, we selected “no title” or equivalent option and answered all other questions honestly. We took screenshots of every quote result, including screens that required a phone call.
Peddle and CashForCars gave instant quotes on all 5 vehicles. Wheelzy gave instant quotes on 3 vehicles and required a phone call for the remaining 2. CarBrain was included in this article because they buy problem cars and their quote form let us counter the first offer, but they require a title in your name before purchase.
We did not accept any offers. Your results may differ based on your location, your car’s condition, and which buyers are active in your area.
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