Cash for Junk Cars in Knoxville, TN: $100-$5,000+

What do I need to sell my junk car in Knoxville?

To sell junk cars in Knoxville one must be able to prove ownership of the vehicle.  One can prove ownership of a vehicle by providing the valid vehicle title in their name.  If the vehicle title is missing the vehicle registration and bill of sale is required to sell junk cars in Knoxville. A nonrepairable title, salvage title, or rebuilt salvage title can be used in place of an original certificate of title.

According to Section 55-3-202 of the Tennessee state code a vehicle can be sold for scrap without a title when the vehicle is at least 12 years old and is sold only for parts, dismantling, or recycling. One must sign a statement of ownership and provide state or federally issued identification to sell old cars for cash in Knoxville without at title.

How does Knoxville define a junk vehicle?

In Knoxville a junk vehicle is called an inoperable motor vehicle. An inoperable vehicle in Knoxville is one that lacks major mechanical parts, has been partially or wholly dismantled, has been completely burned or flooded, can’t be driven legally, or is otherwise unable to move under its own power.

In Knoxville junk cars are defined as a public nuisance. To be a public nuisance in Knoxville an inoperable vehicle must also meet at least two of the following conditions. The criteria for a public nuisance vehicle in Knoxville are not being legally registered, having one or more missing or flat tires, having more than one broken window, being visibly and significantly rusted, having not moved under its own power in 15 days, or costing more to repair to its operative condition than the vehicle is worth.

Junk cars in Knoxville are also called decrepit cars, wrecked cars, junkers, damaged cars, totaled cars, scrap cars, old cars, clunkers and jalopies. Most junk cars are at least 15 years old unless they have been wrecked. The generally accepted junk car definition is one that is no longer safe to drive on the roads and highways.

What are the laws around junking a car in Knoxville?

There are two main laws around junking a car in Knoxville. These laws come from the Tennessee state code and the Knoxville city code.

Section 17-123 of the Knoxville city code details how vehicles removed by the city are recycled. The Knoxville vehicle recycling law states that public nuisance vehicles or junk cars in Knoxville are disposed of via auto recycling without notification procedures if the abated vehicle is over 5 years old and has no engine or is otherwise totally inoperable never to be operable again.

Section 55-3-202 of the Tennessee state code details when an auto dismantler or junk car buyer can accept a vehicle. The law states that a vehicle dismantler or recycler must obtain a certificate of title unless the vehicle is more than 12 years old and is being sold only as scrap or salvage. In this case the auto recycler must wait 3 days before recycling.

These are the two most important junk car recycling laws in Knoxville, but there are other junk car laws in Knoxville regarding storage of junk cars that is explained below.

What is the penalty for breaking the junk car laws in Knoxville?

The penalty for breaking the junk car recycling law in Knoxville by selling a junk car without a title illegally is a Class A misdemeanor charge. In Tennessee, the Class A misdemeanor for breaking the junk car recycling law in Knoxville comes with a jail sentence of up to 11 months 29 days, a fine up to $2500, or both.

The penalty for breaking the junk car storage law in Knoxville is a fine of up to $50 per violation, with each day the violation continues as a separate citation. Private property owners must also pay for administrative costs of abatement up to $325 per offense in addition to the actual costs of abatement. You must pay the costs of abatement even if the junk car is recycled without notice as described above.

Can I get cash for junk cars with no title in Knoxville?

Yes, you can get cash for junk cars with no title in Knoxville if the vehicle meets certain conditions. As noted above junk cars over 12 years old and totally inoperable can be sold without a title in Knoxville with a statement of ownership.

Getting cash for junk cars with no title in Knoxville for newer model years is not possible for individuals. A property manager or landlord (i.e. a company or other legal entity) can junk cars without a title when vehicles have been abandoned on the property. This is done by applying for a certificate of authority from local law enforcement.

Vehicle Titles	Percent	Value
Junked Car With Title in Knoxville	63%	$698.31
Junked Car With Rebuilt Title in Knoxville	3.79%	$445.00
Junked Car With No Title in Knoxville	33.33%	$425.11

Read more on selling cars with no titles.

How to get a replacement title in Knoxville?

To get a duplicate title in Knoxville one must go to the DMV in person and complete the application for duplicate title. This application is called the Multi-purpose Noting of Lien and Duplicate Title Application. It must be accompanied by proof of identity or power of attorney. Ownership documents such as prior registration is required when the vehicle has never been registered in Tennessee. The fee for a duplicate title is $14.

One can apply for a replacement title when ownership documents are missing and the junk car has a value of $3000 or less. This is done by submitting a Certification of Ownership to the DMV which must include proof of notification of previous registered owners and a notarized bill of sale from the seller showing why original ownership documents are not available.

Is it a requirement to notify the DMV when you junk a car in Knoxville?

No, it is not a requirement to notify the DMV when you junk a car in Knoxville. The Tennessee DMV only requires notification when an individual sells a vehicle to another individual.

Can I store junk cars on my property in Knoxville?

Yes, according to Section 17-122 of the Knoxville city code you can store junk cars on your property in Knoxville if the vehicle is stored in a permanent or temporary parking structure that has 4 walls and a roof to keep the vehicle out of public view. This includes a garage, carport, temporary car port, and other enclosed buildings. Junk cars that are 25 years or older, are not driven daily, and qualify to be tagged as a historic vehicle are exempt from junk car storage laws in Knoxville.

Can I sell my car for parts in Knoxville?

Yes, you can sell your car for parts in Knoxville if you have a garage or car port to store the vehicle out of sight while you are dismantling it and selling off the used parts. Selling your car for parts requires mechanical know-how to remove and clean the parts and finding buyers for those parts.

Sell your car for parts in Knoxville in 4 easy steps. First, figure out where to sell used car parts in Knoxville. Most people find buyers for used car parts on local marketplace sites and social media. Second remove and clean the parts. Third, sell the car parts to the buyers you have found. Finally, the scrap shell and remaining unusable parts should be recycled. This can be done with a junk car buyer in Knoxville like Junk Car Medics.

It is important to note that while you can sell a car for parts it is faster to sell the junk car as a whole to a junk car buyer in Knoxville. Taking apart the car and finding buyers for the parts takes a lot of time and effort. More about where to sell car parts for cash near you.

Is it possible to junk a car with a lien in Knoxville?

No, you cannot junk a car with a lien in Knoxville or any other city in Tennessee. A lien on a vehicle prevents the owner from selling the junk car because they do not fully own the vehicle. The financial institution or lender that gave you the money to purchase the car partly own the vehicle. Junk cars cannot be sold without getting a lien release from the lender and submitting it to the DMV for a clear title.