# FAQ

> Answers to common cash for cars questions: prices up to $10,000, free towing, same-day pickup, ownership, plates, liens and recycling. Get a quote.

Source: https://topcash4cars.ca/faq

# Cash for cars FAQ: your questions, answered

Straight answers to the questions people ask most when selling a car for cash, from price and payment to plates and paperwork. **Can't find yours? Call (289) 349-2006.**

## Cash for cars FAQ: price and payment

### How much cash can I get for my car?

Most scrap and junk cars fetch $300 to $2,000, and running used cars can be worth up to $10,000. Heavier vehicles like pickups, SUVs and vans usually earn more as scrap because they carry more steel. Prices depend on current scrap metal rates. Call (289) 349-2006 with the year, make, model and condition for a firm number.

### How do you work out what my car is worth?

We look at what the car is worth to its next owner or, for an end-of-life car, what its metal and parts are worth. For running cars, year, mileage, condition and demand matter most. For scrap cars, weight, the catalytic converter, the engine and transmission, and current metal prices drive the offer.

### Will you pay scrap price for a used car that still runs?

No. A running car in reasonable shape is valued as a used car, not by its weight, so it usually gets a much better offer than scrap. Tell us about recent repairs, newer tires or service records when you call, because they can all move your offer up.

### How do I get paid?

You're paid cash on the spot when the car is picked up. The driver confirms the car matches your description, you sign the paperwork and you get the full amount we quoted. There's no waiting for a payment to clear, and the money is in your hand before the car leaves.

### Are there any hidden fees or towing charges?

No. Towing is free, and there are no admin, fuel or paperwork fees. The offer we give you is the amount you're paid, as long as the car matches what you described. Nothing gets subtracted at the curb, no matter how far we drive or how hard the car is to load.

### Will the price change when your driver arrives?

Not if the car matches the description you gave us. Your quote is firm. We only revisit it if something major was missed, such as a missing catalytic converter, undisclosed accident damage or a car that doesn't run when we were told it does. You can always say no at that point.

### Do you beat other offers?

Yes. Best Offer Guaranteed: we’ll beat any written offer. Show us a genuine, current written offer from another buyer for the same car in the same condition, and we'll pay more. It's the simplest way to know you've been paid well without spending days shopping your car around.

### Can I sell more than one vehicle at once?

Yes. Tell us about each vehicle and we'll quote them together, then plan one pickup that fits your schedule. Towing is free for every vehicle. Businesses replacing several cars, vans or trucks can also read about selling [fleet and work vehicles](/services/commercial-vehicles).

## Pickup and timing

### Do you offer same-day pickup?

Usually, yes. Call before noon and we can pick up the same day in most cases, and next-day pickup is easy to book. Timing depends on your location, the weather and the day's schedule, so we'll confirm a pickup window when you accept your offer.

### Is towing really free?

Yes. Towing is free on every vehicle we buy, anywhere in our service area, and it never comes out of your offer. That's true for cars that don't run, have no keys or are parked in a tight spot. Just describe the access when you book so we send the right truck.

### Do I need to be there when you pick up the car?

In most cases, yes. The owner, or someone with written authorization, needs to sign the paperwork, show ID and receive the payment. The visit usually takes 20–30 minutes. If you can't be there in person, call us and we'll talk through your options.

### Can you pick up from underground parking, a repair shop or a storage lot?

Yes. We pick up from condo garages, repair shops, storage lots, workplaces and parking lots. Underground garages can have low clearances, so tell us the building and parking level when you book. For shops and storage lots, let us know their hours so the driver can get in.

### Will you pick up a car with flat tires, no keys or locked brakes?

Yes. Our trucks can winch or lift a car that won't roll, including cars with flat tires, seized brakes or no keys at all. Mention these issues when you book so we send the right equipment. They're part of the job, and they never add a towing charge to your sale.

### Do you pick up in winter and bad weather?

Yes, we pick up all year. A car buried in snow or frozen in place may need some digging out first, and a severe storm can push a pickup to the next day. If the weather affects your booking, we'll let you know and find a new time that works.

### What are your pickup hours?

We're open Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and pickups are booked within those hours. Evening slots can work well if you're busy during the day, so just ask when you book. We're closed on Sundays, but you can still send the quote form and we'll reply when we open.

## Paperwork and legal questions

### What documents do I need to sell my car in Ontario?

You need your ownership (vehicle permit), valid government photo ID and any keys you have. The name on your ID should match the ownership. You'll also sign a bill of sale at pickup. If anything is missing or the car is in someone else's name, call us first and we'll tell you what paperwork you need.

### Can I sell my car without the ownership?

Sometimes. The simplest fix is a replacement vehicle permit from ServiceOntario. Call us before you go, though, because depending on your situation there may be another way forward. Our guide to [selling a car without ownership](/guides/sell-car-without-ownership) explains the options in plain language.

### Can I sell a car that still has a loan or lien on it?

Only once the lien is dealt with. A loan or lien must be paid off or disclosed before the sale can go ahead. Call us with the lender's name and roughly what's owing, and we'll explain how the sale could work. Read more in our guide to [selling a car with a lien](/guides/sell-car-with-lien).

### What should I do with my licence plates?

Remove your licence plates before we tow the car. In Ontario, plates belong to you, not the vehicle, so you can keep them for your next car or return them to ServiceOntario. Ontario ended plate sticker fees in 2022, so returning plates doesn't get you money back. See [what to do with your plates](/guides/licence-plates-when-selling).

### Do I need a safety certificate to sell my car to you?

No. You don't need a safety certificate to sell your car to us, whether it's going for scrap or being bought as a used car. A safety certificate matters when someone wants to plate and drive the car, and that isn't something you need to provide. A failed or expired safety won't stop the sale.

### Can I sell a car that belonged to a family member who passed away?

Yes, with the right estate paperwork. That's usually the ownership plus documents showing who can act for the estate, such as a will naming the executor or a certificate of appointment of estate trustee. Every estate is different, so call us first. Our guide to [selling a deceased family member's car](/guides/sell-car-of-deceased-family-member) walks through it.

### Can I sell a car that isn't registered in my name?

Only with the registered owner's written permission or legal authority, such as being the executor of an estate. The owner will usually need to sign the ownership as well. Call us before booking and we'll tell you exactly what's needed, so the sale doesn't stall on pickup day.

## Vehicle condition

### Do you buy accident write-offs and flood-damaged cars?

Yes. We buy cars with accident damage, insurance total losses, flood damage and fire damage. Damaged cars are valued on the parts and metal that still have worth, and damaged cars that still run can earn more. Learn more about [selling a damaged or written-off car](/guides/sell-damaged-or-write-off-car).

### Do you buy rusted cars?

Yes. Ontario road salt is hard on older cars, and plenty of them rust out long before the engine fails. Rust lowers a used-car offer, but even a badly rusted car has metal and parts value. Tell us where the rust is, such as the frame, rocker panels or floor, so we can quote accurately.

### Can I keep some parts before you take the car?

You can keep your personal items, licence plates and add-ons like a dash cam or phone mount. Taking off parts that carry value, such as the battery, wheels, tires or catalytic converter, lowers the offer. If you plan to keep something, tell us when we quote so the price is right from the start.

### Should I remove the catalytic converter or battery first?

No. Removing the catalytic converter, battery or other valuable parts lowers your offer, because those parts are a big part of what an older car is worth. Leave them on, keep the car complete and you'll get the full offer without any extra work or surprises at pickup.

### Do you buy cars that don't run?

Yes. Dead batteries, seized engines, failed transmissions, electrical problems and cars that have sat for years are all fine. We bring a truck that can load a car that won't start or roll. Non-running cars are usually valued by their parts and metal, and the towing is still free.

## Our company and car recycling

### How is my car recycled?

End-of-life cars go to a licensed Ontario recycler. Fluids like oil, coolant and refrigerant are drained, the battery and catalytic converter are removed, usable parts are recovered, and the shell is crushed and shredded so the metal can be reused. Around 75–80% of a typical vehicle by weight can be recycled. Read [how car recycling works](/guides/how-car-recycling-works).

### Where are you based, and what areas do you serve?

We're based in Burlington and pick up across the GTA and Golden Horseshoe: Toronto, Peel, York, Durham, Halton, Hamilton, Niagara, Waterloo Region, Guelph, Brant, Simcoe and Dufferin. Find your city on our [service areas page](/service-areas). If you're nearby but not listed, call and ask.

### Why sell to you instead of selling privately?

Speed, safety and certainty. A private sale can take weeks of messages, test drives and no-shows, and you have to give the buyer a Used Vehicle Information Package (UVIP). We give you a firm offer in about 3 minutes, tow the car for free and pay cash on the spot, often the same day.

## Still have a question?

Call (289) 349-2006 and ask. We'll answer it and give you a firm offer in about 3 minutes, with no obligation to accept.