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The bottom line: You can sell a fire damaged car even if it’s completely burned out. Junk car buyers like Peddle, Wheelzy, and CashForCars purchase fire-damaged vehicles in any condition and offer free towing.
If your car still runs and only has minor smoke or cosmetic damage, you have more options. Dealers and instant offer services may make higher offers than junk buyers in that case.
To get a quote, you’ll need your car’s VIN and basic details. Have your title and ID ready for pickup. The process takes 2 to 3 days from quote to pickup.
Before you accept any offer, compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor to make sure you’re getting the best price.
Key Takeaways
- Severely burned cars typically sell for $100 to $500 in scrap value. Cars with minor fire or smoke damage can get $1,000 to $5,000 depending on the make, model, and what survived.
- The damage level determines which buyer is right. Junk buyers like Peddle and Wheelzy work for moderate to severe damage. If the car still runs with only cosmetic damage, dealers or instant offer services may offer more.
- If insurance declared your car a total loss, you’ll likely need a salvage title before selling. The salvage title application window is typically 10 to 30 days after the settlement.
- Repairing fire damage rarely makes financial sense. Wiring, plastics, and metal components are all affected, and a proper repair can run thousands of dollars with little return in resale value.
- Always describe the fire damage accurately when getting a quote. The offer can be adjusted at pickup if the car’s condition doesn’t match what you reported.
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Fire Damage Levels
Hundreds of thousands of vehicle fires happen in the United States every year. If your car was one of them, you need to understand what level of damage you’re dealing with before you decide how to sell.
Minor Fire Damage
Minor fire damage means the fire was quickly contained and didn’t spread throughout the car. You might see:
- Smoke damage and soot on the interior
- Burns to seats or carpeting
- Melted dashboard components
- Some electrical damage
With minor damage, many parts are still salvageable. The engine might be untouched, and the frame is usually fine. These cars can fetch $1,000 to $5,000 depending on the make and model.
Moderate Fire Damage
Moderate damage typically involves engine compartment fires. The fire spread beyond one area but didn’t destroy the entire vehicle.
Common issues include damaged wiring throughout the car, compromised engine components, and melted plastics in multiple areas. The structural integrity might still be okay, but the car won’t run.
These vehicles usually sell for $500 to $1,500. Buyers want them for parts that survived the fire.
Severe Fire Damage
Severe damage means your car is basically a shell. The fire burned through most of the vehicle, leaving little that’s usable. Vehicle fires account for a large share of all reported fires, and many of these become total losses.
What’s left:
- A burned-out frame
- Maybe some intact metal components
- Scrap metal value only
Severely burned cars sell for $100 to $500, mostly for their weight in scrap metal.
What Your Fire Damaged Car Is Worth
The value of your fire damaged car depends on several specific factors. Here’s what buyers look at:
Extent of damage: This is the biggest factor. A car with smoke damage to the interior is worth way more than one that’s completely burned out.
Make, model, and year: A 2018 Honda Civic with fire damage is worth more than a 2005 Ford Focus with the same damage. Popular models have more valuable parts.
Location of damage: Engine fires that don’t spread to the rest of the car are better than those that do. If the frame is intact, that’s a plus.
Salvageable parts: Buyers evaluate which parts they can resell. Catalytic converters, alloy wheels, and transmission components can add value even to severely damaged cars.
Typical Price Ranges
Here’s what you can realistically expect for different damage levels:
| Damage Level | Price Range | What Buyers Want |
|---|---|---|
| Severe (completely burned) | $100 to $500 | Scrap metal weight |
| Moderate (engine/major systems) | $500 to $1,500 | Salvageable parts |
| Minor (smoke/contained fire) | $1,000 to $5,000 | Parts and possible rebuild |
Your location matters too. Scrap metal prices vary by region, which affects offers for severely damaged cars. Cars in areas with higher scrap prices typically get better offers.
Your Options for Selling a Fire Damaged Car
You’ve got a few ways to sell a fire damaged car. Most people go with online junk car buyers because they’re the easiest option.
Junk Car Buyers (Best Option for Most People)
Online junk car buyers specialize in vehicles that regular people don’t want. They make the process simple:
- You fill out a form or call with your car’s details
- They give you a quote
- They schedule free pickup
- You get paid when they pick up the car
The whole thing usually takes 1 to 3 days. No repairs needed, no worrying about towing costs, and no dealing with strangers who might flake out.
These companies pay more than scrap yards because they look at parts value, not just metal weight. If you’re looking to sell a car with mechanical problems, fire damage buyers use the same process.
Private Sale (Rarely Worth It)
Selling privately after fire damage is tough. Most buyers want working cars, and you’re legally required to disclose the fire damage.
The disclosure makes most deals hard to close. Even if you find a buyer, you’ll likely get similar money to what an online buyer would offer, but after spending weeks listing the car and answering questions.
Skip this unless your car has only minor cosmetic fire damage and still runs.
Dealers and Instant Offer Services (Minor Damage Only)
If your car still runs and the fire only caused cosmetic damage (smoke smell, minor interior burns, no structural or mechanical impact), you may qualify for higher offers from dealers or instant offer services.
These buyers expect cars in reasonable condition. They’ll typically pass on anything with a salvage title, major mechanical damage, or burned engine components. But a clean-title car with smoke damage that drives normally could qualify.
Get quotes from both junk buyers and instant offer services and compare. The gap can be significant for cars with only minor cosmetic damage. Our car selling options guide breaks down which services work best for each situation.
Learn more: Best Places to Sell a Fire Damaged Car
Documents You’ll Need
Essential Paperwork
You need your car title. If you filed an insurance claim for the fire damage, bring those documents too. They help establish what happened and can sometimes speed up the sale.
If Your Title Burned in the Fire
Lost your title in the fire? You’ll need to get a replacement from your state DMV.
The process varies by state, but you’ll generally fill out a duplicate title form, show your ID, and pay a fee (usually $15 to $50). Some states let you do this online. Others require you to visit in person or mail the form.
Most states process duplicate titles in 2 to 6 weeks. If you need it faster, ask about expedited service. It costs more but can cut the wait to a few days.
Salvage Title Considerations
If your insurance company declared your car a total loss, it might have a salvage title. This is a branded title that shows the car was severely damaged.
You can still sell a car with a salvage title. Junk car buyers deal with them all the time. Just be upfront about it when getting quotes.
Some states require you to apply for a salvage title within a certain timeframe after a total loss, typically 10 to 30 days. Check your state’s requirements if insurance was involved.
Learn more: How to Sell a Car with a Salvage Title
Companies That Buy Fire Damaged Cars
Not all car buyers accept fire damaged vehicles. Here are the ones that do, and what you need to know about each.
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
CashForCars
CashForCars buys cars with fire and smoke damage. They’re owned by Copart, the large auto auction company, which gives them strong demand for damaged vehicles.
They give you a guaranteed quote over the phone or online and include free towing. Most pickups happen within 1 to 2 days of accepting the offer.
Payment is by check when they pick up your car. They operate nationwide and have experience with fire damaged cars, which means their offers tend to reflect actual parts and scrap value.
Peddle
Peddle is one of the best online car buyers and they buy fire damaged cars. They’re known for accepting vehicles that other companies won’t touch.
Get a quote online in 2 minutes, accept it if you like the number, and they’ll schedule pickup. Quotes are valid for 7 days, so you have time to compare.
Most sales complete within 48 hours. They handle all paperwork and pay you when they pick up the car. Payment is typically by check or cash, depending on the tow company.
Wheelzy
Wheelzy specializes in junk cars and explicitly accepts vehicles with fire damage. Their website mentions fire and flood damaged cars across multiple service areas.
They offer quotes within 30 minutes and pick up cars for free anywhere in the country. Payment is cash or check when they pick up your vehicle, depending on the tow company.
Wheelzy is a strong option for cars that are truly at the end of their life. If your car is severely burned, they’ll still make an offer.
Step-by-Step: How to Sell Your Fire Damaged Car
Step 1: Assess the Damage
Take honest stock of what you’re dealing with. Walk around your car and note:
- How much of the car burned
- Which parts are completely destroyed
- What might still be salvageable
- Whether it runs at all
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
Find your title. If you don’t have it, start the replacement process now so it doesn’t delay your sale.
Grab any insurance paperwork related to the fire. Having everything ready speeds up the process when the buyer comes to pick up your car.
Step 3: Get Multiple Quotes
Don’t take the first offer you get. Contact at least three different buyers to compare prices.
Use our car selling comparison tool to get quotes from multiple buyers at once. This saves you time and helps you find the best offer.
Compare Instant Offers
Compare Instant Offers
When requesting quotes, be completely honest about the damage. If you leave out details, the buyer may adjust the price when they see the car.
Step 4: Choose Your Buyer
Compare your offers and pick the best one. Price matters, but also consider pickup speed and any conditions on the quote.
Step 5: Schedule Pickup
Once you accept an offer, schedule your pickup time. Most buyers can pick up within 1 to 3 days.
Make sure someone will be home to meet the tow truck. You’ll need to sign the title over and hand over any keys (if you still have them).
Clear out all your personal belongings before pickup. Check the trunk, under the seats, and the glove box. Once they tow your car away, you’re not getting that stuff back.
Step 6: Complete the Sale
When the tow truck arrives, they’ll inspect the car to make sure it matches what you described. If everything checks out, they’ll give you the payment.
You’ll sign the title over to the buyer. Remove your license plates (in most states, plates stay with the owner, not the car). Get a receipt showing you sold the car.
After the sale, cancel your insurance and notify your DMV that you sold the vehicle. This protects you from liability if the car is involved in any incidents after the sale.
Should You Repair Before Selling?
Most of the time, no. Repairing fire damage is expensive and rarely worth it if you’re planning to sell.
When Repair Makes Sense
Repair only makes sense if:
- The damage is truly minor (just smoke or small burns to interior)
- Repair costs are under $1,000
- The car is newer and worth a lot more repaired
- You have plenty of time to deal with the repair and sale
Even then, you need to do the math. If repairs cost $800 and you’ll only get $500 more for the car, you’re losing money.
When to Sell As-Is
For moderate to severe fire damage, always sell as-is. Fire damage repairs are expensive because fire affects more than what you can see.
Wiring throughout the car gets damaged. Plastics melt and release chemicals that contaminate the interior. Metal components weaken from heat exposure.
A proper fire damage repair involves replacing wiring harnesses, checking every system for heat damage, and often replacing the entire interior. That easily runs into thousands of dollars. For a car that’s already been damaged, that money won’t come back in resale value.
The buyers who specialize in fire damaged cars know how to handle junk cars and have the expertise to salvage what’s valuable. Let them deal with it and save yourself the hassle and expense.
Insurance Considerations
If your insurance company is involved, there are some extra steps and timelines to be aware of.
If Insurance Declared It a Total Loss
When an insurance company totals your car, they pay you the pre-fire value minus your deductible. They typically take possession of the car.
But if you want to keep the car and sell it yourself, you can usually negotiate to keep it. The insurance payout will be reduced by the salvage value (what they would have gotten for the car).
Once you keep a totaled car, you’ll need to apply for a salvage certificate or salvage title. Requirements vary by state, but you typically have 10 to 30 days from the settlement date to do this.
You can then sell the car to any buyer who accepts salvage titles. All three companies listed here do.
If You’re Keeping the Insurance Payout
Some people file a claim, get paid, and want to sell the car too. This is fine as long as you follow your state’s rules.
After your insurance company settles the claim and doesn’t take the car, you still own it. But the title needs to be updated to show it was totaled. Your insurance company or DMV can tell you exactly what forms you need.
The timeline matters. Most states require you to apply for the proper salvage or rebuilt salvage title within 30 days of the insurance settlement. Missing this deadline can complicate the sale.
FAQs
Can I sell a fire damaged car without a title?
It depends on your state and the buyer. Some states allow you to sell cars without a title if they’re old enough or if you have other proof of ownership. Peddle can work with sellers who don’t have titles in many states.
If you lost your title in the fire, it’s better to get a replacement than try to sell without one. The replacement process takes 2 to 6 weeks but opens up all your selling options. Our guide on selling a car without a title covers your state options.
How long does it take to sell a fire damaged car?
Most online car buyers complete the entire process in 2 to 3 days. You can get a quote in minutes, accept it the same day, and schedule pickup for the next day or two.
If you need to get a replacement title first, add 2 to 6 weeks to that timeline. Private sales take much longer because finding a buyer willing to take a fire damaged car is tough.
Does a fire damaged car need to be running to get picked up?
No. All three buyers listed here include free towing for non-running vehicles. They load your car onto a flatbed truck, so it doesn’t need to run, roll, or even have wheels.
Be clear about the car’s condition when getting your quote. Your price stays the same at pickup as long as what they see matches what you described.
Do I need to disclose fire damage when selling?
Yes, legally you must disclose fire damage to any buyer. This applies whether you’re selling to a company or a private individual.
For online junk car buyers who specialize in damaged vehicles, disclosure is built into the process. You describe the damage when you get the quote. For private sales, most states require written disclosure of any major damage. You can learn more in our guide on what to disclose when selling a damaged car.
Can I sell a fire damaged car if I still owe money on it?
Most junk car buyers, including Peddle and CashForCars, require a clear title and won’t purchase cars with an active loan. You typically need to pay off the loan before selling to these services.
Contact your lender before starting the sale process. For cars that still have some value despite the damage, some other buyers can handle lien payoffs. Our guide on how to sell a financed car covers your options in full.
What if my car burned in a wildfire?
The selling process is the same whether your car burned in a wildfire, a collision, or a mechanical fire. Buyers care about the extent of the damage, not what caused it.
If you lost your title and other documents in a wildfire, many states have expedited replacement processes for disaster victims. Contact your state DMV to ask about emergency title replacements.
Your insurance company might also have special procedures for processing wildfire claims. If you’re selling during a stressful time after a disaster, use established car buying services rather than private buyers to avoid being scammed.
Article Update History
We updated this article with fresh quotes and verified buyer policies.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.
Sources
"Total number of reported highway vehicle fires in the U.S. from 1980 to 2021" Accessed Mar. 18, 2026.
"Outside and Vehicle Fire Causes" Accessed Mar. 18, 2026.