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: The Clunker Junker buys junk cars, damaged vehicles, and cars that won’t start. They work as a middleman, connecting you with local towing companies and junkyards in all 50 states.
You get a quote in about 90 seconds, and most cars get picked up within one to three days.
They include free towing and pay you by cash or check when the driver shows up. The big selling point is their payment guarantee.
If the local buyer doesn’t pay you, The Clunker Junker covers the full amount. This makes them safer than calling random junkyards yourself.
The catch is that third-party towing companies handle the pickup, and quality varies. Some sellers report price changes when the driver gets there, especially if the car looks worse than described.
Their offers are decent for junk cars but not always the highest. Compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor before deciding.
What We Like
- Online quotes take about 90 seconds to complete
- Towing is always free, even for cars that won’t start
- They buy cars in any condition, including flood damage and engine failure
- Same-day pickup available in some areas
- Most pickups happen within one to three business days
- Works in all 50 states through their local buyer network
- Customer service responds quickly to problems
- Offers often beat what local junkyards pay
- They tell you exactly what paperwork your state needs
- A+ rating with the BBB since 2014
- Can sometimes buy cars without titles depending on your state
What You Should Know
- Third-party towing companies handle pickup, and some are more reliable than others
- The driver might offer less money if your car looks worse than you described
- Pickup windows are four to eight hours, so plan to wait around
- Rural areas may have fewer buyers and longer wait times
- Some Trustpilot reviews mention buyers asking to sign the title before confirming the price
- They’re a middleman, not the actual buyer of your car
Compare Instant Offers
How to Sell a Car to The Clunker Junker?
1. Get Your Quote
Go to their website and answer questions about your car. You’ll enter the year, make, model, mileage, and what’s wrong with it. The whole thing takes about 90 seconds.
You get an offer right away on the screen. The quote stays good until you accept it and finish giving them your info.
Step1
Step2
Step3
Step4
Step5
Step6
Step7
Step8
Step9
Step10
Step11
Step12
Step13
Step14
Step15
Select your car
Enter VIN
Enter zipcode for pickup
Provide contact information
Answer title questions
Report any damage
Describe mechanical issues
Enter odometer reading
Note exterior damage
Report exterior damage
Select if any damage for lights or glass
Note interior condition
Indicate if there is any water or fire damage
Add any comments (optional)
Get your instant offer
2. Accept the Offer
You need to prove you own the car. Most of the time this means having a title in your name. Some states want extra paperwork like registration or notarized documents.
The company tells you exactly what your state requires before you accept.
Tip: Before you accept, get quotes from other buyers to make sure you’re getting a fair price. Try Peddle, Wheelzy, CarBrain, and CashForCars.
3. Schedule Pickup
The Clunker Junker finds a local towing company to pick up your car. Most people get their car picked up within one to three business days. Some areas have same-day pickup, but it depends on where you live.
The tow company calls you directly to set up a time. They usually give you a four to eight hour window.
Heads up: If you live in a city, you’ll probably get faster service. Rural areas can take longer because there are fewer local buyers.
4. Get Paid
The driver checks your car and paperwork when they arrive. Payment is usually cash or check. It depends on the tow company, but you can ask for cash.
The Clunker Junker backs all payments. If something goes wrong and the local buyer doesn’t pay, the company covers it directly.
Heads up: If your car looks worse than what you described online, the driver might offer you less money.
How Much Money Can You Get?
What you get depends on your car’s age, condition, and where you live. Junk cars and cars that won’t start get less than cars that still run.
Here are some quotes we got in January 2026:
2026
2025
2018 Tesla Model 3 with 73k miles: $4480
2011 Jeep Compass Sport with 120k miles and salvage title: $395
2008 Subaru Outback with 168k miles and rear damage: $415
2014 Nissan Sentra with 96k mileage and salvage title: $625
2003 Buick Regal LS with 214k mileage and clean title: $380
2008 Dodge Dakota with 167k mileage with salvage title: $380
Recent Clunker Junker Offers
| Make & Model | Year | Mileage | Condition | Title Status | Offer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infiniti G37 Journey | 2008 | 150’000+ | Doesn’t start | Clean Title | $895 |
| Ford Mustang Coupe Base | 2000 | 150’000+ | Runs & Drives | Clean Title | $335 |
| Toyota Camry LE | 2005 | 150’000+ | Engine Starts | Clean Title | $610 |
| Ford Taurus Sedan SES (Gas) | 2002 | 150’000+ | Doesn’t start | Clean Title | $320 |
| Mercedes Benz E Class Sedan | 1999 | 150’000+ | Doesn’t start | Clean Title | $320 |
| Chevrolet Malibu LS | 2012 | 150’000+ | Runs & Drives | Clean Title | $430 |
| Ford Crown Victoria LX (flex fuel) | 2006 | 150’000+ | Runs & Drives | Clean Title | $325 |
What this tells us:
- Cars that won’t start can still get decent offers if they have clean titles
- Toyota and Infiniti get better offers than American brands with similar mileage
- Cars that still run and drive don’t always get much more than non-running ones
- High mileage over 150k doesn’t kill your offer completely
- Clean titles matter more than whether the car starts
- Newer cars with problems still get higher offers than old running cars
- Luxury brands like Mercedes don’t get premium prices when they’re junk
The Clunker Junker Reviews – What Other Sellers Say?
| Platform | The Clunker Junker Rating | Good | Bad |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,785 total reviews) | Fast process, good communication, offers beat local junkyards | Wide pickup windows, some delays |
| Trustpilot | 2.4 out of 5 stars (6 total reviews) | Payment guarantee works | Third-party buyers renegotiate prices, documentation issues |
| BBB | A+ | Professional service, paid full amount promised | Few complaints filed |
| Reddit Reviews | Generally Positive | Legit company, owner responds to issues | Local buyer quality varies by area |
Trustpilot
BBB
Reviews
Reviews
Reviews
Expand to see reviews from 2025:
Reviews
Reviews
Tips from sellers who’ve done this:
- Be honest about your car’s condition to avoid price changes at pickup
- Block out at least half a day for the pickup window
- Drivers sometimes run late because of traffic
- File the sales paperwork with your DMV to avoid future problems
- Aftermarket catalytic converters mean lower offers
How The Clunker Junker Compares to Other Buyers
We got quotes from The Clunker Junker, Peddle, and CashForCars for three different cars in January 2026. Here’s what happened:
| Vehicle Profile | Peddle Offer | The Clunker Junker Offer | CashForCars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Tesla Model 3 | $4,980 | $4,480 | No Instant Offer |
| 2011 Jeep Compass Sport | $395 | $395 | $578 |
| 2008 Subaru Outback 2.5 | $385 | $415 | $375 |
For the Tesla, Peddle offered $4,980 while The Clunker Junker came in at $4,480. That’s $500 less. CashForCars wouldn’t give an instant quote online and wanted a phone call.
For the Jeep with a salvage title, The Clunker Junker and Peddle both offered $395. CashForCars actually won this one at $578.
For the damaged Subaru, The Clunker Junker came out on top at $415. Peddle offered $385 and CashForCars was lowest at $375.
No single buyer won every car. The differences on older junk cars stayed pretty small. But on newer vehicles in better shape, the gap got bigger. That’s why getting multiple quotes matters.
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
Enter your car’s info once and see what multiple buyers will pay:
Compare Instant Offers
Compare Instant Offers
Alternatives: Sites Like Clunker Junker
Common Questions About The Clunker Junker
How do I get an offer from The Clunker Junker?
Go to their website and fill out the form about your car. You’ll enter the year, make, model, and condition. The whole thing takes about 90 seconds and you get an offer right away.
Does The Clunker Junker pay what they offer?
Yes, as long as your car matches what you described. If the driver finds problems you didn’t mention, the price can change. The company backs all payments with a guarantee.
How fast can The Clunker Junker pick up my car?
Most cars get picked up within one to three business days. Some areas have same-day pickup, but it depends on where you live and which local buyers are available.
Who actually picks up my car?
The Clunker Junker works with local towing companies and junkyards across all 50 states. One of these local buyers handles the actual pickup, not The Clunker Junker itself.
Do I need a title to sell to The Clunker Junker?
Usually yes. Some states let you sell older cars without titles if you have other paperwork like registration or insurance cards. The company tells you what your state requires.
What’s the average Clunker Junker offer?
Their current average is around $611. Pickup trucks get about $786 on average, SUVs around $706, and smaller cars about $553.
How does The Clunker Junker pay you?
Payment is usually cash or check at pickup. It depends on the tow company, but you can ask for cash when they call to schedule.
Is The Clunker Junker legitimate?
Yes. They’ve been in business since 2011, have an A+ BBB rating, and thousands of positive reviews. They’re a licensed auto dealer that backs all payments with a guarantee.
Will they buy a car that won’t start?
Yes. They buy cars in any condition, including ones that won’t start, have engine problems, or have been in accidents. Towing is always free.
What if the local buyer doesn’t show up?
Call The Clunker Junker directly. They’ll either sort it out with the current buyer or find you a new one. Their customer service team handles these problems.
Is towing really free?
Yes. Towing is free with every sale. The offer you accept is the amount you get, with no towing fees taken out.
What paperwork do I need?
You need a title in your name and a photo ID at minimum. Some states require extra documents. The company tells you exactly what you need before pickup.
How long is my offer good for?
Offers stay valid until you accept and give them all your info. Market prices can change though, so don’t wait too long if you like the offer.
Where does The Clunker Junker operate?
They work in all 50 states through their network of local buyers. Coverage is better in cities than rural areas.
What if I have a problem with the service?
Contact their customer service team. They handle issues with local buyers and back all deals with a payment guarantee. If the buyer doesn’t pay, they will.
What should I do before pickup?
Take out your personal stuff, remove the license plates, and have your title ready to sign. Make sure you can be there during the pickup window.
How does Clunker Junker compare to local junkyards?
They usually pay more than local junkyards and include free towing. The payment guarantee also gives you protection you won’t get calling junkyards yourself.
The Clunker Junker Review
The Clunker Junker works as a middleman, connecting you with local towing companies and junkyards in all 50 states. Its payment guarantee and A+ BBB rating since 2014 push the score up. Pickup speed and process ease score lower because in some areas it routes pickups through other buyers like Peddle, meaning you could get a better deal by going directly to them instead.
Product Brand: The Clunker Junker
3.9
Pros
- Quote in about 90 seconds
- A+ BBB rating since 2014
- Payment guarantee if the local buyer doesn't show
- Free towing in all 50 states
Cons
- Third-party towing quality varies by area
- Pickup windows are 4 to 8 hours
- Rural areas may have fewer buyers and longer waits
Article Update History
We updated our Clunker Junker review for 2026 by pulling fresh quotes and verifying their current car-buying process. We monitor Trustpilot and Google monthly to ensure our ratings reflect recent customer experiences. This ensures the service details you see accurately represent what to expect today.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.
Sources
"The Clunker Junker Reviews" Accessed Jan. 16, 2026
"The Clunker Junker Reviews" Accessed Jan. 16, 2026
"The Clunker Junker Reviews" Accessed Jan. 16, 2026