What sellers tell us"The price changed when the driver showed up."
Your price is locked
Your offer is good for 7 days. It's the price you're paid at pickup, as long as the car matches what you described and no major parts are missing.
Hi, Houston. From the Heights to Clear Lake, and Alief to Kingwood.
Cash for Junk Cars in Houston, TX. We tow it free.
No engine? Flooded in Harvey or Beryl? Got a junked-vehicle notice from the city? We'll still make you an offer. Tell us a little about your car, see a firm offer in about 90 seconds, and we'll come haul it away.
- Free towingNothing comes out of your payout
- Paid at pickupUsually a business check
- No title?We'll check your Texas options
Instant cash offer · No obligation
What are you selling?
Enter your VIN for the fastest offer, or look it up manually.
Where do I find my VIN?
Look through the windshield at the driver's side of the dashboard, or on the sticker inside the driver's door. It's also on your Texas title, registration, and insurance card.
Offers are fulfilled through our vetted local and nationwide buying partners. The price you accept is the price you're paid, as long as the car matches what you described. How this works
Quick answer
Houston, TX · Updated October 2026
How Much Do Junk Car Buyers Pay in Houston, TX?
Junk cars in Houston sell for about $175 to $6,000, depending on the vehicle's year, weight, condition, and parts. Most bring a few hundred dollars on scrap weight alone, at about $140 to $180 per ton in the Houston area. Newer cars, cars that run, and cars with valuable parts bring much more. Towing is free anywhere in Houston, and you're paid at pickup.
Typical scrap-weight value by vehicle
| Vehicle | Weight (lb) | Typical value |
|---|---|---|
| Compact car Civic, Corolla | 2,500–3,000 | $175–$270 |
| Midsize sedan Camry, Altima | 3,200–3,500 | $225–$315 |
| Full-size SUV Tahoe, Explorer | 4,300–5,600 | $300–$500 |
| Pickup or large SUV F-150, Silverado | 5,000–7,000 | $400–$700+ |
Texas market estimates for cars priced on weight, as of October 2026. Not a quote: your offer is based on your exact car.
What changes the price
- It runs and drives. A working engine and transmission are worth more than scrap.
- Clean title in your name. It gets the strongest offer.
- Missing catalytic converter. The converter holds precious metals, so a cut one lowers the offer.
- Missing parts. No engine, transmission, or wheels lowers the price.
What you need to sell in Houston
- Your title and a photo ID. Lost the title? Order a certified copy from TxDMV with Form VTR-34: $2 by mail or $5.45 in person.
- After the sale, file a Vehicle Transfer Notification with TxDMV within 30 days, so later tolls and tickets aren't charged to you.
Recently bought
Junk Cars We Bought in Houston and Across Texas
Real cars we bought in Houston and Humble and Spring and across Texas, and what each seller was paid. We buy in Houston the same way.
$3,600paid to the seller
2013 Honda Civic DXFront bumper scrape
$1,200paid to the seller
2013 Ford FocusFaded headlights, worn paint
$1,300paid to the seller
2010 Nissan Altima 2.5 SPeeling front bumper paint
$300paid to the seller
2011 Chevrolet Malibu 2LTFaded headlights, chipped bumper
$2,000paid to the seller
2011 Hyundai Equus SignatureLuxury sedan with cosmetic wear
$1,200paid to the seller
2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid SEWeathered paint, sitting on a lot
Photos from real pickups. License plates are blurred.
Why us
How We're Different
What you get when you sell your car in Houston to CashMyCarTX, compared with most junk car buyers.
- Feature
Most other buyers - Instant offerAbout 90 seconds onlineCashMyCarTX: yesMost other buyers: not always
- Paid on the spotAt pickup, usually by business checkCashMyCarTX: yesMost other buyers: not always
- Free pickup anywhereEvery Texas county, no tow feeCashMyCarTX: yesMost other buyers: not always
- No haggling or tricksYour price is locked if the car matchesCashMyCarTX: yesMost other buyers: not always
- All damage acceptedWrecked, flooded, or won't startCashMyCarTX: yesMost other buyers: not always
How It Works in Houston
No haggling, no tow bill, no waiting for a check in the mail.
Get your offer
Enter your VIN, or pick the year, make, and model. You see a firm cash offer in about 90 seconds.
Pick a pickup time
Accept the offer and choose a time. We tow it free from anywhere in Houston, usually within a few days.
Get paid on the spot
Hand over the keys and title, and you're paid on the spot, usually by business check.
Our promises
No Surprises When the Truck Comes to Houston
Texas sellers tell us what went wrong with other buyers. Here's what we do instead.
What sellers tell us"They took the towing fee out of my payout."
Towing is truly free
No hook-up, mileage, or loading fees anywhere in Texas. Nothing comes out of your payout.
What sellers tell us"The buyer never transferred the title."
We help with the paperwork
We remind you to file Form VTR-346 with TxDMV within 30 days, so later tolls and tickets aren't charged to you.
What sellers tell us"No title? Everyone hung up on me."
No title isn't always a dead end
Lost titles can be replaced, and some older cars qualify for other routes.
See your no-title optionsCash Offers for Houston Car Sellers
If you're looking to sell a car in Houston, get an instant online offer in seconds — no need to list it, negotiate with strangers, or pay for repairs first. We buy running and non-running vehicles, including cars with flood or hail damage, which are common after Gulf Coast storm seasons. Have questions before you start? Call us now and we'll walk you through it.
Geography of Houston
Houston sits in Harris County along Buffalo Bayou, near the Gulf Coast and Galveston Bay, and is the largest city in Texas — with a city-proper population of roughly 2.39 million and a metro area exceeding 7 million, making it the fourth-largest city in the United States. The land is flat and marshy, and an extensive drainage system was built to manage the prairie runoff that drains through the city, a big part of why flood resilience matters so much to Houston homeowners and drivers alike. Interstates 10, 45, and 69 converge here alongside Loop 610 and Beltway 8.
Free towing is included anywhere in the greater Houston area, including Sugar Land, Pasadena, Baytown, Katy, The Woodlands, Pearland, and Spring. You can find more about local services on the City of Houston's official website.
History of Houston
Houston was founded in August 1836 by brothers Augustus and John Allen, who purchased over 6,600 acres at the confluence of Buffalo Bayou and White Oak Bayou — a natural turning basin now known as Allen's Landing — and named the new town after General Sam Houston. The settlement grew fast: from about 12 residents to 1,500 within four months, and the Allen brothers successfully lobbied for Houston to serve as the temporary capital of the Republic of Texas starting in 1837.
Buffalo Bayou's navigability let the young city ship cotton, lumber, and hides to Galveston by steamboat, and warehouses and wharves soon lined the waterway, drawing merchants from across the U.S. and Europe. That early bet on becoming an inland port set the pattern for the shipping and energy economy Houston is known for today.
Culture of Houston
Houston is known as the "Energy Capital of the World," home to the U.S. headquarters of major oil and gas companies including ExxonMobil, Phillips 66, ConocoPhillips, Occidental Petroleum, and Halliburton. It also earned the nickname "Space City" after NASA's Johnson Space Center arrived — Mission Control there has run every U.S. human spaceflight since Gemini 4. The Texas Medical Center here is the largest medical complex in the world, employing more than 120,000 people, and the Port of Houston ranks among the busiest in the world.
One quirk that surprises newcomers: Houston has no zoning laws — voters rejected the idea three separate times (1948, 1962, and 1993) — so the city grew under ordinance codes rather than traditional residential/commercial zoning districts. On the arts side, Houston supports a full professional symphony, ballet, opera, and theater scene downtown, including the Houston Symphony (founded 1913) and Houston Ballet and Grand Opera (both founded 1955).
Get Cash for Your Car Fast in Houston
Selling used, junked, or wrecked cars has never been easier. We buy all makes and models in any condition — all you need to do is call us now or get your instant offer online, and we'll pick up your vehicle at no extra cost anywhere in the Houston metro.
We handle the towing and the paperwork so you're free to go spend that cash. With free quotes and free towing, there's nothing to lose but your old car.
Local conditions
Why Houston Drivers Sell Their Cars
Gulf Coast weather is hard on cars. These are the reasons Houston sellers call us most.
Flood damageStorms like Harvey in 2017 and Beryl in 2024 put water into cabins, wiring, and engines. Flooded cars still sell.How we handle it
Won't start after summerLong, humid summers wear out batteries and belts, and a car that sits for a few months often stops starting.How we handle it
Freeway wrecksHeavy traffic means more collisions. A wrecked car is often worth more sold as-is than repaired.How we handle it
Houston value estimator
What's My Junk Car Worth in Houston?
Pick your vehicle, or enter its weight, to see what it's typically worth at today's Houston-area scrap prices. It's an estimate, not a quote: your firm offer is based on your exact car.
Estimated value
$225–$315
Midsize sedan, about 3,200–3,500 lb. Typical Texas market range.
Market estimate as of October 2026. Not a quote.
What changes your offer
- RaisesYear, make, and model. Some models are worth far more than their weight in parts.
- RaisesRuns and drives. A car that starts and drives is worth more than scrap.
- RaisesOriginal catalytic converter. It adds value. A missing one lowers the offer.
- RaisesClean title in your name. It gets the strongest offer.
- LowersMissing parts. No engine, transmission, wheels, or panels lowers the price.
Junkyard, Private Sale, or Cash Buyer?
Every way to get rid of a car in Houston has a trade-off. Here's how they compare.
| CashMyCarTX | Local junkyard | Private sale | Dealer trade-in | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How it's priced | Firm offer on your exact car, online in minutes | Usually by weight, quoted by phone | Whatever a buyer agrees to | Credit toward another car, not cash |
| Non-running cars | Yes, any condition | Yes | Hard to sell | Often refused or valued near zero |
| Towing | Free, nothing deducted | Varies; some deduct a tow fee | Buyer picks it up, or you arrange it | You get it to the dealer |
| Paperwork | We walk you through the title and VTR-346 | You handle it | You handle the title, bill of sale, and VTR-346 | Dealer handles it |
| Time | Usually within a few days, same day in some areas | Same day to a few days | Days to weeks | Tied to buying a car |
| Main risk | Offer depends on describing the car accurately | Price changes once the truck arrives | No-shows, haggling, unpaid tolls if the title isn't transferred | Low trade value |
Any condition
Junk, Wrecked, or Won't Start: We Buy It in Houston
Pick what's wrong with your car to see how we handle it.
Won't startDead engine, electrical failure, or sat for years
Blown engineSeized, knocking, or overheated
Bad transmissionSlipping, no reverse, or won't shift
TotaledDeclared a total loss by insurance
Flood damageHurricane and flash-flood cars
Hail damageDented panels and broken glass
WreckedCollision damage, front or rear
Salvage titleSalvage or nonrepairable branded titles
No titleLost, never transferred, or older cars
Any makeCars, trucks, SUVs, and vans
Texas title rules
Selling a Car Without a Title in Houston?
Title rules in Houston are the same as anywhere in Texas. Here are the three situations we see most, with the TxDMV form for each.
Form VTR-34
You lost the title
If the car is titled in your name, order a certified copy of the title from TxDMV with Form VTR-34. The fee is $2 by mail or $5.45 in person. It's the cleanest path and gets the strongest offer.
Form VTR-341-2
The car is old and unregistered
A licensed used auto parts recycler may buy a car without a title only if it is at least 13 years old and hasn't been registered for at least 7 years, and only to dismantle or scrap it. The recycler reports the purchase to TxDMV within 24 hours.
Form VTR-346
After any sale
File a Vehicle Transfer Notification with TxDMV within 30 days of selling. It records the date the car left your hands, so later tolls and tickets aren't charged to you. Remove your license plates before pickup.
Not sure which applies to your car? Read our guide to selling a car without a title in Texas, or call (214) 617-0955 and we'll tell you before you commit to anything.
Other common snags
No Keys, a Loan, or a Totaled Car?
These come up in Houston every week, right after missing titles. None of them has to stop a sale.
No keys
Lost keys are common and don't stop a sale. Tell us when you get your offer so the driver comes ready to tow the car without them.
Get an offerStill owe money
A car with a loan can be sold once the lien is released. Pay it off and get a signed lien release from your lender, or a title showing the lien released.
Lien questionsTotaled by insurance
If your insurer declares a total loss and you keep the car, it usually gets a salvage title. A car with a salvage title can still be sold to us.
Selling a totaled car
Houston rules and offices
What Houston Sellers Should Know
The rules, offices, and storms that decide what happens to a junk car in Houston, each with its official source.
Got a junked-vehicle notice?
Under Texas law, a car with expired or no plates that is wrecked, dismantled, or inoperable for more than 72 hours on public property or 30 days on private property is a junked vehicle. Houston enforces this through city code: the owner gets a placard and written notice, at least 10 days to remove it, and the right to request a hearing.
Sources: Texas Transportation Code, Ch. 683 · City of Houston
Title offices in Houston
- Title transfersHarris County Tax Office, 16 branches, including Downtown (1001 Preston St) and Burnett Bayland (6000 Chimney Rock Rd). Closed every Wednesday.
- Replacement titlesTxDMV Houston North, 2110 E Governors Cir, for a certified copy (Form VTR-34).
Check hours before you go: Harris County Tax Office · TxDMV Houston
Keep the catalytic converter on
Texas recyclers can buy a detached catalytic converter only with records of the car it came from (year, make, model, and VIN) and proof the seller owns that car, and stealing a converter is a felony. Sell the car with its converter attached. If yours was stolen, file a police report and tell us before you get your offer.
Sources: Texas Occupations Code, Ch. 1956 · Texas DPS: SB 224
Flood cars after Harvey and Beryl
Hurricane Harvey dropped 36 to 48 inches of rain on the Houston area in August 2017, and Beryl knocked out power to about 2.7 million people in southeast Texas in July 2024. Many flood-damaged cars still sit in driveways. They can still sell, even with a branded title.
Sources: NHC: Harvey · NHC: Beryl · How we buy flood cars
We pick up across Houston: the Greater Heights, Third Ward, Alief, Sharpstown, Gulfton, Acres Home, Greenspoint, Kingwood, Clear Lake, Meyerland, Spring Branch, Westchase, and South Belt, plus the Aldine area and every Houston suburb. Names follow the city's super neighborhood map.
Houston junkyards and salvage yards
Looking for a Junkyard in Houston?
Most people searching for a junkyard or salvage yard in Houston want one of two things. Here's the fastest way to do each.
Skip the drive to the yard
- A junkyard pays mostly for weight, and you usually have to tow the car there yourself.
- We price your exact car online, tow it free from anywhere in Houston, and pay you at pickup.
- Running, wrecked, flooded, or no title: get the offer first, then decide.
Look for a self-service salvage yard
- Self-service yards across Houston let you pull parts yourself for less.
- Call ahead with your year, make, and model to check what's in stock.
- Bring your own tools, and check the yard's entry fee and return policy.
We don't sell parts, but if your own car is done, we'll buy it.
Pickup day
Your Houston Pickup-Day Checklist
Do these before the truck arrives and pickup takes a few minutes. Tick them off as you go.
0 of 8 done
What happens at pickup
- The driver checks that the VIN and condition match what you described.
- You sign the title where the driver shows you and hand over the keys.
- You're paid on the spot, usually by business check.
- The car is towed away. Nothing is deducted for towing.
Stay safe with payment
- Sign the title only once you have payment in hand.
- To verify a check, call the bank using the number on the bank's own website, not one printed on the check.
- Take a photo of the signed title and keep your receipt.
- Prefer direct deposit? It arrives in about 3 business days.
Your car's problem
Got One of These Problems? We Still Buy It
Quick answers for the cars Houston sellers ask about most.
Blown engine
A seized or knocking engine doesn't stop a sale. The car is valued for its weight and parts, and towing is free since it can't drive.
More about thisBad transmission
Slipping, no reverse, or stuck in gear: we buy it as-is. Repairs often cost more than the car is worth.
More about thisNo keys
Lost keys are common. Tell us when you get your offer so the driver comes ready to tow it without them.
More about thisFlood damage or a flood title
Water in the cabin or engine, or a flood or salvage brand on the title, still sells. Describe the damage honestly so the offer holds.
More about thisMissing catalytic converter
A cut converter lowers the offer because it holds precious metals, but the car still sells. Say so up front and the price won't change at pickup.
More about thisInsurance totaled it
If your insurer declares a total loss, ask whether you can keep the car. A car with a salvage title can still be sold to us.
More about thisWrecked or fire damaged
Front, rear, or side damage, airbags deployed, or burned: we make offers on wrecked cars in any condition.
More about thisAt a shop or storage lot
Tell us where the car is. You'll usually need to settle any storage fees and get a release from the lot before it can be towed.
More about this
Areas we serve
Free Pickup Across Houston Core & North
We tow from driveways, parking lots, repair shops, and rural property in Houston and every nearby town. Not listed? We still pick up anywhere in Texas.
Questions
Houston FAQs
How much do junk car buyers in Houston pay?
Junk cars in Houston sell for about $175 to $6,000. Most bring a few hundred dollars on scrap weight alone; newer cars, cars that run, and cars with valuable parts bring much more. Get an instant offer online for your exact car.
Where can I get cash for my junk car in Houston?
You can sell to a scrap yard, a self-service salvage yard, a private buyer, or a buyer like us. We price your exact car online, tow it free from anywhere in Houston, and pay you at pickup, usually by business check. You never have to bring the car anywhere.
Who pays the most for junk cars in Houston?
It depends on the car. A scrap yard pays for weight, a parts buyer pays for the parts it wants, and a buyer like us prices your exact car. Compare firm offers, and check that towing is free and the price can't drop at pickup when your description is accurate.
How much will a Houston scrap yard pay for my car?
Scrap yards pay for weight, at about $140 to $180 per ton in the Houston area as of October 2026, so most cars bring a few hundred dollars. You usually have to get the car to the yard yourself, so subtract any tow cost.
How much does junk car removal cost in Houston?
Nothing when you sell to us: towing is free and nothing is deducted from your offer. For comparison, Houston's regulated non-consent tow rate in 2026 is $232 for the first 20 miles.
What do I need to junk my car in Texas?
Your title, signed over to the buyer, and a photo ID. Remove your plates, toll tag, and personal items before pickup, then file a Vehicle Transfer Notification with TxDMV within 30 days.
Do I need to notify the DMV when I junk my car in Texas?
Yes. File a Vehicle Transfer Notification with TxDMV within 30 days of the sale, online or with Form VTR-346. It records when the car left your hands, so later tolls and tickets aren't charged to you.
Can I sell a junk car in Houston with no title or no keys?
Often, yes. If the car is titled in your name, order a certified copy from TxDMV with Form VTR-34 ($2 by mail or $5.45 in person, for example at TxDMV Houston North). A licensed used auto parts recycler may buy a car without a title only if it is at least 13 years old and hasn't been registered for at least 7 years. No keys is fine: tell us when you get your offer.
Can I sell a car that still has a loan or lien?
Only once the lien is released. Pay off the loan and get a signed lien release from your lender, or a title that shows the lien released. Tell us up front and we'll explain what's needed.
Can I sell my catalytic converter separately?
Only with paperwork. Texas recyclers must record the year, make, model, and VIN of the car a converter came from and keep proof you own that car. Sell the car with its converter attached; a car with its original converter is worth more.
Is there a self-service pull-a-part yard in Houston?
Yes, several self-service yards in Houston sell used parts you pull yourself. They also buy cars, but usually for weight. If you're selling, compare their price with a firm offer that includes free towing.
How fast can you pick up my car in Houston?
Usually within a few days of accepting your offer, and same day in some areas. You choose the pickup time.
How do I get paid?
On the spot at pickup, usually by business check, in exchange for the title and keys. Prefer direct deposit? It arrives in about 3 business days.
My car flooded in Harvey, Imelda, or Beryl. Can I still sell it?
Yes. We buy flood-damaged cars, including cars with a flood or salvage brand on the title. Describe the damage honestly and the offer you accept is the price you're paid.
Where do I transfer or replace a title in Houston?
Title transfers go through the Harris County Tax Office, which has 16 branches, including Downtown at 1001 Preston St, and is closed on Wednesdays. A replacement title (Form VTR-34) is ordered from TxDMV, which has a Houston North service center at 2110 E Governors Cir.
What does Houston consider a junked vehicle?
Under Texas law, a car with expired or no plates that is wrecked, dismantled, or inoperable for more than 72 hours on public property or 30 days on private property. Houston enforces it with a placard and written notice; the owner gets at least 10 days to remove the car and can request a hearing.
See all FAQs on lost titles, liens, hail damage, and missing keys.
Seller guides
See all articles
Before You Sell Your Car in Houston
Short, plain-English guides on offers, titles, and paperwork for Texas sellers.
Salvage & titles
Selling a Flood-Damaged Car in Houston, TX
Flooded car in Houston? Learn how Texas brands flood titles, how to check VIN history free, and how to sell for real cash fast.
Buyers & offers
Quoted $800 on the Phone, Offered $250 at the Curb
Quoted one price, offered far less when the tow truck shows up? Why curbside re-quotes happen in Texas and what to demand from any buyer's driver.
Buyers & offers
Junkyard Offer vs. Cash Buyer: The Real Difference
Why one Texas junk car quote is $150 and another is $1,200. How weight-based scrap pricing differs from condition-based cash offers.
No-Pressure Instant Offers
Tell us a little about your car and get a real offer in about 90 seconds. Say no and you owe nothing.
Easy Since 2025
We've been helping Texas sellers turn junk cars into cash since 2025, with free towing and payment at pickup.