Do you have an old, damaged, or unwanted vehicle sitting in your driveway collecting dust? Whether it’s a rusty sedan that barely runs, a high-mileage SUV you’re ready to part with, or a vehicle that’s been written off by insurance, there are ways to turn it into cash or trade-in value.

In Canada, there are several options for getting rid of a vehicle that’s past its prime. You can scrap it for metal, sell it as-is to a junk or salvage yard, or—if it’s still drivable—get a competitive online offer from a company like Clutch. Even if the vehicle isn’t in great shape, you might be surprised at how much it’s still worth.

This guide will walk you through how to sell a scrap, junk, or salvage car in Canada, the differences between these terms, how to avoid common scams, and why Clutch could be the best option if your vehicle is still roadworthy.

Scrap vs. Junk vs. Salvage Cars – What’s the Difference?

When you’re trying to sell an old or damaged vehicle, the terms scrap, junk, and salvage often get used interchangeably—but they don’t all mean the same thing. Understanding the differences can help you figure out which selling option makes the most sense for your situation, and whether your vehicle is still eligible for a trade-in offer from Clutch.

Scrap Cars

Definition: Scrap cars are vehicles that have reached the end of their useful life and have no resale value beyond the raw materials they contain.

Typical condition:

• Not drivable or not worth repairing
• Severe rust, engine failure, or extensive body damage
• Often missing parts
• Usually sold by weight to a scrapyard for metal recycling

Best option: Sell to a licensed scrap yard or metal recycler

Junk Cars

Definition: Junk cars are unwanted or neglected vehicles that may still be running but are outdated, unreliable, or not worth much on the market.

Typical condition:

• May still drive but have high mileage or cosmetic damage
• Might have minor mechanical issues
• Usually not worth fixing up to resell privately
• Often sold to junkyards or “cash for cars” businesses

Best option: Sell to a junk car buyer or consider a trade-in if it’s still drivable

Get an instant offer on your junk car from Clutch

Salvage Cars

Definition: Salvage cars have been written off by insurance due to damage but could still be repaired and put back on the road. These vehicles carry a “salvage title” until re-certified.

Typical condition:

• Accident-damaged, flood-damaged, or stolen and recovered
• May still run but require inspection and certification before road use
• Value varies depending on repair costs and title status

Best option: Sell to a salvage buyer or repair/rebuild if it makes financial sense

Get an instant offer on your scrap car from Clutch

Ways to Sell a Scrap, Junk, or Salvage Vehicle

Once you’ve figured out what type of vehicle you’re dealing with—scrap, junk, or salvage—the next step is deciding how to sell it. Your options will depend on the car’s condition, title status, and whether it’s still drivable.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common ways to turn your old vehicle into cash or trade-in value:

1. Sell Privately

Selling your car privately might get you the highest price—but it often takes the most time and effort. You’ll need to:

• List your car on classified sites
• Deal with tire-kickers, lowballers, and time-wasters
• Manage paperwork and ownership transfers

This option may not be worthwhile if your vehicle is old, rough around the edges, or unlikely to pass a buyer’s inspection.

2. Trade It In at a Dealership

Dealerships will usually accept trade-ins, but the offer can be significantly lower than selling privately or through Clutch. Most dealers aim to resell your car at a profit, so their margin often comes out of your payout.

Pros: Convenient if you’re buying another car right away

Cons: Limited to dealerships’ resale standards, lower offers

3. Sell It to a Scrap Yard

If your car is no longer running and isn’t worth repairing, you can sell it for scrap. Scrap yards pay based on the vehicle’s weight and the current market value of metals like steel and aluminum.

Note: You’ll need to remove your plates, cancel your insurance, and in some cases, arrange for a tow.

4. Sell It to a Junkyard or Auto Recycler

Junkyards and auto recyclers will sometimes offer more than a scrap yard if your car still has valuable parts (like a working engine, transmission, or catalytic converter). They may strip the car for resaleable components and recycle the rest.

This is a good option if your car still has salvageable parts but isn’t roadworthy.

5. Sell It to a Salvage Buyer or Rebuilder

If your car has been written off by insurance but is repairable, you can sell it to a salvage buyer or someone who rebuilds cars for resale. These buyers often purchase through auctions or online marketplaces and specialize in fixing damaged vehicles.

You’ll need to disclose the salvage status, and the car will likely need a structural safety inspection before it can legally be driven again.

6. Sell It to Clutch (If It’s Drivable)

If your vehicle still runs and drives, Clutch offers the easiest, fastest, and most transparent selling experience in Canada. Just enter a few details about your car online and get a no-obligation offer instantly.

Why choose Clutch:

• Competitive offers for drivable vehicles, even if they’re older
• No age or mileage restrictions
• Pickup from your home for select vehicles
• Skip the dealership, haggle-free
• Fully online process

What Types of Scrap and Salvage Vehicles Can Clutch Buy?

While many scrap or junk car buyers will only take your vehicle if it’s completely end-of-life, Clutch is different. We specialize in buying older, high-mileage, or lightly damaged vehicles that are still drivable—even if they wouldn’t sell for much on the private market.

If your car still starts, drives, and can be legally operated on the road, there’s a good chance Clutch will make you an offer—no matter how old it is or how many kilometres are on the odometer.

We accept vehicles that are:

• Drivable (i.e., start, move, and stop under their own power)
• Mechanically sound enough to operate safely
• Registered and legally roadworthy (in your province)
• Older or high mileage — we don’t have strict thresholds
• Cosmetically worn — minor dents, faded paint, and interior wear are okay
• Outdated or unwanted — even if dealerships wouldn’t be interested

We don’t accept:

• Vehicles that don’t run or require towing
• Vehicles without proof of ownership or registration

If your vehicle meets the criteria above, you can get a free, no-obligation online offer in seconds using Clutch’s sell or trade tool. If you accept, we’ll even pick it up from your home—no dealership visits required.

How to Get the Best Cash-for-Cars Deal

Whether you’re working with a junk car, a drivable older vehicle, or a salvage unit that’s been repaired, you want to make sure you’re getting fair value when it’s time to sell. Here are some tips to help you maximize your payout and avoid common mistakes—no matter who you sell to.

1. Shop Around

Don’t settle for the first offer you get. Scrap yards, junk buyers, and trade-in services all use different methods to evaluate vehicles, so it pays to compare.

• Get quotes from multiple buyers: junkyards, salvage yards, scrap metal dealers, and online platforms like Clutch.
• Use tools like Clutch’s Car Value Calculator to see what your car might be worth in today’s resale market.

If your car still runs, avoid selling it purely for scrap. A running vehicle often qualifies for more through resale or trade-in than it would as raw metal.

2. Be Honest About the Vehicle’s Condition

Buyers base their offers on the condition you report. If you exaggerate or omit key details—like engine issues or body damage—the final offer might change when the car is inspected or picked up.

Being accurate helps you:

• Avoid last-minute renegotiations
• Get faster, more reliable quotes
• Keep the process smooth and transparent

3. Have the Right Paperwork Ready

To sell a car in Canada—whether it’s going to a junkyard, dealer, or Clutch—you’ll typically need:

• The vehicle registration or proof of ownership
• A valid photo ID
• The bill of sale or transfer form (if required in your province)

If the vehicle is salvaged but repaired, make sure it has passed the required inspection and has a “Rebuilt” status, not “Salvage.”

 4. Consider Payment Method and Convenience

Not all buyers pay the same way. Some offer cash, others write cheques, and some use e-transfers. If quick payment is important to you, confirm this up front.

Also consider:

• Does the buyer offer towing or pickup?
• How quickly can they complete the sale?
• Is the process online or in-person?

With Clutch, everything is done online. If your car qualifies, we’ll pick it up and pay you fast—no dealership visits required.

5. Avoid Common Cash-for-Cars Scams

A few red flags to watch for:

• A buyer who asks for your signed ownership before giving you a quote
• Offers that are too good to be true, especially if they haven’t seen the car
• Last-minute changes to payment method (e.g., cash promised, cheque delivered)
• No company reviews, no traceable phone number or address

Clutch offers a transparent and secure process—no lowballing, no surprise fees, no pressure.

Know Your Options—And Get a Fair Deal

Selling a scrap, junk, or salvage vehicle doesn’t have to be a hassle—or a loss. Whether your car is barely hanging on or simply too old to bother trading in at a dealership, you still have options.

• If it’s truly at the end of its life and no longer running, selling to a scrap yard or junkyard can help you clear space and get some cash in hand.
• If it’s been written off but is repairable, a salvage buyer or rebuilder might be interested.
• But if your vehicle still runs—even if it’s older, high-mileage, or has seen better days—Clutch may offer you more than any scrap yard will.

Clear out the old. Cash in on what’s still working. Clutch is here to make the process easy, transparent, and worth your time.

With a little effort, you can turn your old car into cash and clear up much-needed space in your garage or driveway for a newer, high-quality car.

Speaking of a high-quality car, you can find your replacement vehicle at Clutch as well. We offer only the highest-quality used cars that have been through a 210-point inspection and reconditioning processes and include 3-month or 6,000-km warranties. Plus, we offer a 10-day, 750-km test-own period. If you don’t love your vehicle during this time, you can return it for a refund or exchange it for something else.