Getting rid of an unwanted car
The second car nobody drives. A parent’s car after they stopped driving. The project you’re never going to finish. Cars that sit lose value every month. An offer today beats a lower one next year.
We’re an independent guide, not the buyer. Offers come from Peddle, a nationwide car-buying service, and we may earn a referral fee when you sell through our form.
What moves the offer
- How long it’s been sitting
- Tires flat-spot, brakes seize, fuel goes stale. Say how long it’s been parked.
- Registration and title
- Expired registration is fine; you still need the title or another proof of ownership.
- Rodents and rust
- Long-stored cars often have wiring chewed by rodents. Mention it if you know.
Say this on the offer form
Offers are adjusted at pickup when the car doesn’t match the description. Be specific about:
- When it last ran
- Flat tires or seized brakes
- Whose name is on the title
- Where exactly it’s parked (and whether a truck can reach it)
Per Peddle, an updated offer is made when there’s a discrepancy, and you can decline it. Don’t sign the title until you’re happy with the number in front of you.
Worth knowing
Selling a relative’s car? If the titled owner has passed away, you’ll typically need documents showing you have authority to sell, such as letters of administration or your state’s small-estate affidavit. Your DMV’s website lists exactly what it accepts.
Paperwork
You’ll need the title in your name, a photo ID, and every key you have. If there’s a loan on the car, read selling a car with a loan first. Can’t find the title? Start with our no-title guide. After pickup, follow the after-you-sell checklist.
Questions
The registration expired years ago. Can I still sell it?
Yes. Registration is about driving on public roads; the title is what proves ownership for a sale.
Not quite your situation?
Find out what it’s worth today.
About a dozen questions, an offer on screen, and no obligation to take it. If you accept, Peddle’s towing partner comes to you and pays by check at pickup.