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The bottom line: SellMax buys used and junk cars for cash. They take vehicles in any shape, even ones that won’t start or have major problems. The process is fast and can wrap up in less than 48 hours from your first quote to pickup.
They work best for old cars, damaged vehicles, or cars with engine or transmission problems. If your car still runs well and is fairly new, their offers will likely disappoint you.
We’ve seen quotes come in 40% to 60% lower than what CarMax or Carvana would pay for the same car in good condition.
For junk cars and salvage titles, SellMax is worth checking out. But they often pay less than Peddle and Wheelzy for similar vehicles based on our tests. Compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor before deciding.
What We Like
- They tow your car away for free no matter where it is
- You get paid in cash or check when they come to pick up your car
- They buy cars that won’t start, have blown engines, or have body damage
- The paperwork is simple and takes about 15 minutes to finish
- You don’t need to clean your car before they take it
- Their quotes stay good for 7 days so you have time to think about it
- You can get a quote online without giving your phone number first
- They buy cars with salvage titles
- No hidden fees or surprise charges when they show up
What You Should Know
- Their offers for newer cars in good shape can be 40% to 60% less than other buyers
- After the first phone call, it can be hard to reach anyone with questions
- Some pickups get cancelled or rescheduled at the last minute
- There isn’t much room to haggle on price, what they offer is usually what you get
- They need a valid title to buy your car, no exceptions
- This business is not BBB accredited
- Online quotes often come in lower than what Peddle or Wheelzy offer for the same car
Compare Instant Offers
How to Sell a Car to SellMax?
1. Enter Your Car’s Details
Go to SellMax’s website and type in your car’s VIN number or its year, make, and model. You’ll also enter your ZIP code and answer a few questions about the car’s condition.
The form asks if your car runs, what kind of damage it has, and whether you have a clean or salvage title. This part takes about 5 minutes.
Step1
Step2
Step3
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Step6
Enter VIN
Enter ZIP code
Enter vehicle title
Enter vehicle condition
Receive SellMax quote
Enter contact details if you want to accept an offer
2. Get Your Quote
After you fill out the form, SellMax shows you an offer right away. You can see this before you give them your phone number or email.
Keep in mind that their first offers tend to be on the low side. This is true for most cars, but especially for newer vehicles in decent shape.
Heads up: Don’t be surprised if the quote seems low compared to what you expected. SellMax makes their money by paying less, especially on cars that still have value.
3. Set Up a Pickup Time
If you like the offer, enter your contact info and SellMax will call you within 30 minutes. They’ll set up a time to come look at your car wherever it’s parked.
4. Get Paid and Hand Over the Keys
When their buyer shows up, they’ll check the car to make sure it matches what you described. If everything looks right, you sign over the title and get paid.
Payment is usually cash or check. They bring a tow truck to take your car away for free, even if it still runs. The whole thing from start to finish can happen in less than 48 hours.
Tip: Have your title ready and make sure all owners listed on it can be there to sign. If someone else is on the title, SellMax won’t buy the car without their signature.
How Much Can You Get from SellMax?
What SellMax pays depends a lot on what kind of car you’re selling. Here’s a rough idea of what to expect based on your vehicle type:
| Vehicle Type | What You Can Expect |
|---|---|
| Newer Cars (under 5 years old) | About 20 to 30% of what your car is actually worth |
| Older Cars (5 to 10 years old) | Closer to 40 to 50% of market value |
| Cars That Don’t Run | About 80 to 90% of scrap or salvage value |
This means SellMax isn’t a good pick if you have a newer car that runs fine. You’ll get way more from Carvana, CarMax, or even a private sale.
But if your car won’t start, needs a new engine, or has a salvage title, SellMax can be a fair option. Their offers get more competitive when your car has problems.
Examples of Recent SellMax Offers
2026
2025
2011 Audi Q5 with 200k miles and salvage title: $465
2003 Honda Accord with 200k miles and salvage title: $365
2008 Subaru Outback with 170k miles and rear damage: $365
2014 Nissan Sentra with 96k mileage and salvage title: $615
2004 Buick Regal LS with 200k mileage and clean title: $325
2014 Ford C-Max with 210k mileage and salvage title: $525
SellMax Reviews – What Other Sellers Say?
| Platform | SellMax Rating | Good | Bad |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3 out of 5 stars (8 total reviews) | Fast pickup, easy paperwork, friendly staff | Communication drops after first call | |
| Trustpilot | 4.1 out of 5 stars (11 total reviews) | Good for junk cars, quick same day service | Very low offers for newer cars in good shape |
| Yelp | 4.2 out of 5 stars | Great for salvage cars, respectful buyers | Hard to get someone on the phone after initial contact |
| BBB | Not Accredited | N/A | N/A |
Trustpilot
Reviews
Reviews
Expand to see reviews from 2025:
Trustpilot
Yelp
Reviews
Reviews
How SellMax Compares to Other Buyers
We got quotes from SellMax, Peddle, and Wheelzy for the same four vehicles. All cars had high miles and either salvage titles or damage. Here’s what each company offered:
| Car | Miles | Condition | Peddle | Wheelzy | SellMax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Honda Accord EX | 199,827 | Salvage title | $385 | $351 | $365 |
| 2011 Audi Q5 Premium Plus | 193,068 | Salvage title | $580 | N/A | $465 |
| 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS | 257,690 | Does not drive, exterior damage | $355 | $362 | $365 |
| 2008 Subaru Outback 2.5i | 168,000 | Rear damage | $385 | $385 | $365 |
For the 2003 Honda Accord, Peddle offered $385, Wheelzy offered $351, and SellMax came in at $365. Peddle offered the most here.
For the 2011 Audi Q5, Peddle offered $580 and SellMax offered $465. Wheelzy didn’t make an offer at all. Peddle won this one by $115.
For the 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer that doesn’t run, SellMax actually tied for the highest offer at $365. Wheelzy came in at $362 and Peddle offered $355.
For the 2008 Subaru Outback with rear damage, Peddle and Wheelzy both offered $385. SellMax came in $20 lower at $365.
Overall, Peddle beat SellMax in 3 out of 4 cases. SellMax only won on the car that doesn’t run. If your car still drives, you’ll probably get more money from Peddle.
Best for Older Cars
Instant offer in 2 minutes
Free pickup as soon as today
Get paid on the spot
Best for Junk Cars
Sell your car in 30 minutes
Easy-to-use
Buys non-running cars
Best for Damaged Cars
Copart company
Nationwide service
Pays Cash
Use the tool below to see what multiple buyers will pay for your specific car:
Compare Instant Offers
Compare Instant Offers
Alternatives: Sites Like SellMax
Common Questions About SellMax
How fast can I sell my car to SellMax?
Most sales finish in less than 48 hours. If you call early in the day, they can sometimes pick up your car and pay you the same day.
Will SellMax buy my car without a title?
No. SellMax needs a valid title to buy your car. If you lost your title, you’ll need to get a new one from your DMV before they can make a deal.
Will they buy my car if it won’t start?
Yes. Cars that won’t run are one of the things SellMax is known for. They’ll tow it away for free and their offers for non-running cars are often better than what other buyers pay.
Do I need to clean my car first?
No. Just take out your personal stuff before they come. SellMax buys cars as they are, dirty or not.
Can I sell a car with engine or transmission problems?
Yes. This is where SellMax can be a good choice. They buy cars with blown engines, bad transmissions, and other major problems that would scare off most buyers.
Do they charge for towing?
No. Towing is free no matter where your car is or whether it runs. They bring a tow truck at no extra cost.
How long is my quote good for?
SellMax quotes stay valid for 7 days. That gives you a week to shop around and compare other offers.
Can I negotiate the price?
Not really. SellMax treats their offers as pretty much final. Some people have gotten an extra $100 to $200 by pushing back, but don’t expect big changes.
What paperwork do I need?
You need the car’s title and your ID. If the title has more than one name on it, all those people need to be there to sign or you need power of attorney.
Does SellMax buy leased cars?
No. They only buy cars you own free and clear. They won’t help with lease buyouts or take over your lease payments.
Does SellMax work in my area?
SellMax works in all 50 states. Enter your ZIP code on their site to make sure they have a buyer near you.
Is SellMax legit?
Yes, SellMax is a legit company that’s been in business since 1990. They’re not BBB accredited, but they have reviews on Google, Yelp, and Trustpilot.
Most complaints are about low offers for newer cars, not about scams or fraud. They do what they say, they just don’t pay top prices.
SellMax Review
SellMax buys junk and damaged cars for cash in under 48 hours. Offer amounts and process ease are what pull the score down, with quotes consistently coming in lower than other buyers and limited room to negotiate. It also is not BBB accredited, which is worth keeping in mind.
Product Brand: SellMax
3.3
Pros
- Free towing no matter where the car is
- Cash or check payment at pickup
- Quote online without giving your phone number first
- Buys cars with salvage titles
Cons
- Offers tend to run lower than other junk car buyers
- Not BBB accredited
- Some pickups get cancelled or rescheduled last minute
Article Update History
We got fresh quotes from SellMax, Peddle, and Wheelzy for four vehicles with high miles and salvage titles to see how they compare right now. We also pulled the latest reviews from Google and Trustpilot and confirmed SellMax is still not BBB accredited. Their phone number, process, and nationwide coverage remain the same as before.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.
Sources
"SellMax Reviews" Accessed Jan. 22, 2026
"SellMax Reviews" Accessed Jan. 22, 2026
"SellMax Reviews" Accessed Jan. 22, 2026
"SellMax Reviews" Accessed Jan. 22, 2026