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The bottom line: If your car has a bad engine, online junk buyers are your best option. Peddle, Wheelzy, CashForCars, and CarBrain all buy non-running cars, send a free tow truck to your home, and pay you at pickup.
Dealerships rarely take non-running cars, and private buyers almost never want them. Online buyers are built specifically for this situation.
Offers can vary by $500 or more for the same car, so compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor before you decide.
Key Takeaways
quotes are valid for 7 days and the service covers all 50 states, including rural areas where other buyers don’t reach.
offers same-day or next-day pickup in many areas but won’t buy vehicles older than 1981.
is backed by Copart with around 200 locations; payment is by check and banks typically hold it 24 hours before funds are available.
pays you before the tow truck drives away, but won’t buy cars missing their engine or transmission entirely.
- Be specific in quote forms: “rod knock, won’t start” gets a more accurate offer than “bad engine.”
- Engine repair costs often match or exceed what the repaired car would sell for, making as-is sales the smarter choice for most sellers.
Compare Instant Offers
Best Online Places to Sell Your Car With a Bad Engine
Best for Junk Cars
Sell your car in 30 minutes
Easy-to-use
Buys non-running cars
Best for Older Cars
Instant offer in 2 minutes
Free pickup as soon as today
Get paid on the spot
Best for Damaged Cars
Copart company
Nationwide service
Pays Cash
Peddle
Peddle buys cars in any condition, including vehicles that won’t start. Their quote form has specific options for engine problems, so you don’t need to describe your car as being in good condition to get an offer.
Fill out the form online, get an instant quote in about 2 minutes, and accept if you’re happy with it. The offer is valid for 7 days, giving you time to check other buyers before committing.
Once you accept, Peddle arranges free towing from your home. The tow driver brings payment at pickup, inspects the car to confirm it matches your description, and loads it onto the truck.
What makes them stand out:
- Covers all 50 states, including rural areas where other buyers may not reach
- Quotes valid for 7 days so you have time to shop around
- Buys cars that won’t start, have missing parts, or are simply old
- Can buy without a title in some states for deceased owner or lost title situations
What you should know: Offers can change at pickup if the driver finds issues you didn’t mention. Pickup windows are typically 4-hour blocks, not a specific time. Payment is check or cash and depends on the tow company.
Wheelzy
Wheelzy is the fastest option if you need your car gone quickly. Many locations offer same-day or next-day pickup, which matters when you can’t wait a couple of days.
Submit your car details online or by phone. You get an instant offer based on your vehicle, though the quote sometimes needs a follow-up phone call before it’s finalized. Once you accept, Wheelzy coordinates free pickup through independent tow contractors near you. The driver brings payment when the tow truck arrives.
What makes them stand out:
- Same-day or next-day pickup in many areas
- Buys vehicles with blown engines, dead transmissions, and collision damage
- Free towing whether your car runs or not
- Offer stays locked at pickup when the car matches your description
What you should know: Wheelzy won’t buy vehicles older than 1981. First offers can be on the low side. Some BBB complaints mention last-minute price changes at pickup. Payment is check or cash and depends on the tow company.
CashForCars.com
CashForCars.com is backed by Copart and runs a network of around 200 locations across the US. They buy cars that won’t start, have bad engines, or look rough, and same-day pickup is possible near their locations.
Get a quote in about 2 minutes online or by calling (800) 318-8384. A vehicle purchasing agent walks you through the process and answers questions. In our 2026 testing, CashForCars offered $375 for a 2008 Subaru Outback with rear damage and $387 for a 2003 Honda Accord with a salvage title, both competitive with Peddle and Wheelzy.
What makes them stand out:
- Around 200 locations means faster local pickup in most of the country
- Same-day pickup possible near their locations
- Offers matched or beat Peddle and Wheelzy on damaged cars in our tests
- Quotes good for 7 days
What you should know: Payment is by check, and your bank will typically hold it 24 hours before funds are available. They won’t buy your car if you still owe money on it. Getting a specific pickup time can be hard since trucks batch their routes. Payment depends on the tow company.
CarBrain
CarBrain has been buying damaged and broken-down cars since 2007. Their quote form is built for problem cars, so describing engine damage is straightforward. You get a guaranteed offer that already accounts for the bad engine.
One thing that sets them apart: you get paid before the tow truck drives away. You can also counter their first offer if you think your car is worth more, and there are no fees or hidden charges at any point.
In our 2026 testing, CarBrain offered $350 for a 2003 Honda Accord with a salvage title and $345 for a 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer that didn’t drive. Slightly lower than some competitors on the same cars, so compare all four buyers before you accept.
What makes them stand out:
- You get paid before the car leaves your property
- You can counter their first offer if you think it’s too low
- Quotes valid for 7 days with no pressure to accept
- No fees or hidden charges at any point
What you should know: CarBrain won’t buy cars missing their engine or transmission. The title must be in your name. Offers tend to run a bit lower than some competitors. Payment depends on the tow company.
How the Online Selling Process Works
The process is the same with all four buyers. From filling out the first quote form to cash in hand takes about two days.
Step 1: Get quotes from multiple buyers. Fill out each company’s online form. It takes 2 to 5 minutes per form. Describe your engine problem specifically. Offers vary by $500 or more for the same car, so check all four before deciding.
Step 2: Accept the highest offer. You have no obligation to accept any quote. Once you find the best number, accept online or by phone. Your offer stays locked for up to 7 days with all four buyers.
Step 3: Schedule free pickup. The company arranges a tow truck to come to your home. Most give you a 4-hour pickup window. Remove your personal belongings and take off your license plates before the driver arrives.
Step 4: Get paid at pickup. The driver inspects your car to confirm it matches your description and hands you payment before loading the car. Payment is check or cash depending on the tow company. If the car doesn’t match your description, the driver may adjust the offer before completing the sale.
Your Car Still Has Value (Even With a Dead Engine)
How Much You Can Expect to Get
Your car’s value drops with engine failure, but it’s not zero. In our 2026 testing, damaged and non-running cars received offers of $345 to $600 for older vehicles. Newer cars in otherwise good shape can get $3,000 or more even with engine problems.
The gap between a working engine and a bad one is typically $3,000 to $4,000. So if your car would sell for $9,000 running, expect offers around $4,000 to $5,000 with engine problems. For older high-mileage vehicles, the range is lower.
What Affects Your Car’s Value With Engine Problems
Make and model: Popular brands like Toyota, Honda, and Ford hold better value even with engine damage. Parts from these cars are in higher demand at salvage yards, which means buyers offer more.
Vehicle age and mileage: Newer vehicles with lower mileage are worth more because more of the car can be reused. A 2020 model with 50,000 miles is worth more to a parts buyer than a 2008 with 200,000 miles.
Overall condition: Clean interior, no rust, good tires, and working electronics all push the offer up. Buyers look at the whole car, not just the engine.
| Vehicle Condition | Estimated Offer Range |
|---|---|
| Newer car (under 5 years), low mileage, good condition otherwise | $3,000 to $5,000+ |
| Mid-age car (5 to 10 years), average mileage, decent condition | $1,500 to $3,000 |
| Older car (10+ years), high mileage, fair condition | $500 to $1,500 |
| Very old or poor condition throughout | Under $500 |
Why Fixing It First Usually Doesn’t Make Sense
Engine replacement in the US typically costs between $6,000 and $12,000 depending on the vehicle. That’s before you factor in labor and anything else the mechanic finds once the engine is out.
For most sellers, the repaired car won’t be worth enough to cover those costs. Use RepairPal to get a repair estimate for your specific vehicle before making any decisions.
Your Other Options for Selling
Online buyers are the fastest and easiest path for most people with a bad engine. Here’s how all four options compare.
| Selling Option | Timeline | Typical Payout | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online car buyers | 24 to 48 hours | $350 to $5,000 | Fast cash, no hassle |
| Dealership trade-in | Same day | Very low, varies | Buying another car there |
| Private sale | Weeks to months | Highest potential | Patient sellers with time |
| Direct junkyard sale | 1 to 3 days | Scrap value only | Very old or stripped cars |
Dealership Trade-Ins
Dealerships will sometimes accept cars with blown engines as trade-ins, but only if you’re buying another vehicle from them. Most dealers aren’t set up for non-running cars and won’t take them at all.
If a dealer does accept your car, they subtract their estimated repair costs from any offer. That value goes toward your new car purchase, not cash in your hand. You’ll almost always get less than an online buyer would offer.
Private Sale
Selling privately is the highest-paying option in theory, but it’s very hard with a bad engine. Most private buyers want a car they can drive home. When you disclose the engine problem, your buyer pool shrinks to mechanics, DIY enthusiasts, and people who want parts.
Expect weeks or months to find a buyer, lots of lowball offers, and buyers who ask for test drives you can’t provide. For most sellers, the hassle isn’t worth the small potential upside over an online buyer’s offer.
Selling Directly to a Junkyard
You can call junkyards yourself and get quotes based on your car’s scrap weight plus any valuable parts. They buy cars in any condition, but they typically offer scrap value only, which is lower than what online buyers offer.
You also usually pay for towing ($100 to $300) unless the junkyard offers free pickup. Online buyers do this same junkyard shopping for you automatically, so you don’t have to call around yourself.
How to Get the Most Money for Your Car
Get Quotes From All Four Buyers
Each company uses a different formula to calculate offers. In our 2026 testing, Peddle offered $385 for a car where CarBrain came in at $350 and Wheelzy at $351. That’s a $35 difference on one car, but the gap can be much wider on others.
Spend 20 to 30 minutes getting quotes from all four buyers and pick the highest one.
Be Specific About the Engine Problem
Vague descriptions lead to vague quotes. “Engine makes loud knocking and won’t start” gets a more accurate offer than “bad engine.” The engine problems table in the next section has the exact language to use for each type of problem.
Don’t hide issues to get a better initial quote. The tow driver inspects your car at pickup and may lower the offer if they find undisclosed damage. Being accurate upfront keeps your quoted price intact.
Have Your Title Ready
You need your car’s title to sell it legally in most states. If you can’t find it, apply for a duplicate title through your DMV before getting quotes. This process can take several weeks, so start early if you need one.
Some companies buy without titles, but you’ll get a lower offer. The title proves ownership and keeps the sale legally clean for both sides.
Common Engine Problems and How to Describe Them
Use specific language when filling out a quote form. Buyers use your description to calculate an accurate offer. Here’s what to say for the most common engine problems.
| Engine Problem | What to Say in the Quote Form |
|---|---|
| Seized or locked engine | Engine won’t turn over at all, seized from overheating or oil starvation |
| Blown head gasket | Engine overheats constantly, white smoke from exhaust, coolant and oil mixing |
| Cracked engine block | Major coolant leak, engine won’t hold temperature, needs full replacement |
| Rod knock | Loud knocking that gets worse at acceleration, needs rebuild or replacement |
| Timing belt or chain failure | Belt snapped, engine stopped suddenly, possible internal valve damage |
| Major oil leak with engine damage | Severe oil leak, engine ran dry, may have seized from oil starvation |
| Overheating damage | Engine overheated multiple times, warped head, blown gaskets, needs replacement |
| Won’t start, cause unknown | Engine cranks but won’t fire OR doesn’t crank at all |
For more detail on a specific problem, read our guide on selling a car with a blown head gasket.
Should You Fix the Engine Before Selling?
Run the Numbers First
Engine replacement in the US typically costs between $6,000 and $12,000 according to Airtasker data. Even smaller jobs like head gasket repair can run $1,000 to $3,000.
Compare that against what you’d gain. If your car would be worth $10,000 running and you spend $8,000 to fix it, you’ve added $2,000 in value. Selling as-is today for $1,500 and skipping the repair risk is often the smarter financial move.
Why Most People Shouldn’t Fix It
You pay retail prices for parts and labor, then sell at used car prices. Dealers have wholesale repair costs and guaranteed buyers. You don’t. The math almost never works in a private seller’s favor.
Fixing one problem often reveals others. That engine replacement might also need a new transmission, catalytic converter, or electrical work once the mechanic gets into it. Sell as-is, take the cash, and let someone else handle the repairs.
| Scenario | Cost to Fix | Value After Repair | Sell As-Is | Net Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Honda Civic | $7,000 | $9,000 | $2,000 | $0 (break even) |
| 2012 Ford Focus | $6,500 | $7,000 | $1,200 | -$700 (lose money) |
| 2018 Toyota Camry | $8,000 | $15,000 | $4,000 | $3,000 (worth considering) |
Even in the best case, like the Toyota Camry example above, you’d still need to find a buyer, negotiate a sale, and hope no other problems come up during the repair process. For most sellers, taking cash today is the better call.
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FAQ
Can you sell a car with a blown engine?
Yes. Online buyers like Peddle, CarBrain, Wheelzy, and CashForCars buy cars with blown engines every day. You don’t need to fix anything before selling. They handle the quote, free towing, and payment all in one process.
How much is a car worth with a bad engine?
It depends heavily on the vehicle. In our 2026 testing, older damaged and non-running cars received offers of $345 to $600. Newer cars in otherwise good condition can attract offers of $3,000 or more even with engine problems.
Make, model, year, mileage, and the rest of the car’s condition are all factors that affect the final number.
Will a dealership buy my car if the engine is blown?
Most dealerships won’t take non-running cars at all. Those that do accept them as trade-ins offer very little, and the value goes toward a new car purchase rather than cash in your hand.
Online buyers are almost always the better choice for a car with a bad engine.
Do I need to disclose the engine problem when selling?
Yes. It’s illegal in most states to hide major defects when selling a car. Online buyers ask about condition specifically during the quote process, so you’ll describe the engine problem during the quote anyway.
Being accurate also protects you. If the driver finds undisclosed damage at pickup, they can lower the offer or walk away from the sale entirely.
How long does it take to sell a car with engine problems?
With an online buyer, typically about two days total. You fill out the quote form in a few minutes, accept the offer, and most companies send a tow truck within one to two days of accepting.
Is the towing really free?
Yes. All four buyers (Peddle, Wheelzy, CashForCars, and CarBrain) include free towing. The cost of the pickup is already factored into the offer they give you. You pay nothing out of pocket for the tow truck.
Can I sell my car without a title?
Some companies buy cars without titles, but you’ll get a lower offer. Peddle and Wheelzy accept no-title vehicles in many states. When filling out the quote form, indicate you don’t have a title and they’ll adjust the offer accordingly.
Learn more: How to Sell a Car Without a Title
Is it better to part out my car or sell it whole?
Selling whole is almost always faster and simpler. Parting out a car takes months, requires storage space and mechanical knowledge, and means dealing with dozens of buyers one part at a time.
You might end up with more money eventually, but most sellers prefer a clean cash offer today over a months-long project.
Learn more: How to Sell a Car for Parts
Article Update History
We tested quotes from Peddle, Wheelzy, CashForCars, and CarBrain on real damaged and non-running vehicles, and updated every offer range and company detail based on what we found.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.
Sources
"What Are the Common Causes of Misfires?" Accessed Mar. 17, 2026.
"How much does engine replacement cost in the US?" Accessed Mar. 17, 2026.
"10 Common Car Engine Problems and What Causes Them" Accessed Mar. 17, 2026.
"8 Common Engine Problems and How to Fix Them" Accessed Mar. 17, 2026.