# How It Works > How to sell your car for cash: get a firm offer in 3 minutes, book free towing, get paid on the spot and we explain the paperwork. See every step. Source: https://topcash4cars.ca/how-it-works # How to sell your car for cash, step by step From your first call to the moment the tow truck pulls away, here's exactly what happens when you sell your car to Top Cash 4 Cars. **Most sales take one phone call and about 20–30 minutes on pickup day.** ## How to sell your car for cash in 4 steps Four steps, no listings and no haggling at the curb. ### Get a firm quote Call (289) 349-2006 or fill in our short form. Tell us the year, make, model, mileage and condition, and where the car is parked. You'll get a firm cash offer in about 3 minutes. There's no obligation to accept, and no pressure if you want to think it over. ### Book your free pickup Pick a time and place that works for you: your driveway, your workplace, a parking garage or a repair shop. Same-day pickup is usually available if you call before noon, and we'll confirm a pickup window when you book. Towing is always free. ### Get paid on the spot When the driver arrives, they check that the car matches your description and look over your ownership (vehicle permit) and photo ID. Once it all lines up, you're paid cash on the spot. It's the price we quoted, with nothing taken off for towing. ### Sign and say goodbye You sign a bill of sale and the transfer section of your ownership, then keep your licence plates. The whole visit usually takes 20–30 minutes. After that, the car is loaded onto the truck and it's off your hands for good. ## Each step in detail Here's a closer look at what happens at each stage, and what you can do to keep things moving. ### What we ask when you call We'll ask for the year, make, model and rough mileage, whether the car starts and drives, and about any damage, rust, missing parts or warning lights. We'll also ask where it's parked and whether there's anything tricky about access, like underground parking or a narrow laneway. The VIN helps if you have it. **Honest answers now mean the offer won't change later.** ### How your offer is worked out A running car in decent shape is valued as a used car. Year, mileage, condition and demand set the price, which can reach $10,000. A car at the end of its life is valued by weight and parts, and most fetch $300 to $2,000. Prices depend on current scrap metal rates, which move month to month. Learn more about [what a scrap car is worth](/guides/scrap-car-value). ### Getting the car ready Take out your personal things: check the glovebox, trunk, door pockets and under the seats. Remove your licence plates and any toll transponder. Leave the battery, catalytic converter and wheels on, because taking them off lowers your offer. If the car is blocked in, move what you can. Our guide to [preparing your car for pickup](/guides/prepare-car-for-pickup) has a full checklist. ### Pickup day Someone authorized to sell the car needs to be there to sign the paperwork and receive the payment. Pickups run Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.. Rain, snow, traffic or a blocked driveway can push the timing back, and if that happens we'll keep you posted. Most visits are done in about 20–30 minutes. ### How payment works You're paid cash on the spot, in full, at pickup. The amount is the firm offer we gave you, as long as the car matches the description. Nothing is deducted for towing, fuel or paperwork. Count your money before the driver leaves, and keep your copy of the bill of sale for your records. ### The paperwork In Ontario, the official ownership document is the vehicle permit, often called the green slip. You'll sign the transfer section and a bill of sale, and keep the plate portion of the permit. 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. See our [Ontario paperwork checklist](/guides/sell-a-car-in-ontario). ## What happens to your car after we buy it Where your car goes next depends on its condition. A car with plenty of life left can go back on the road with a new owner. That's why a running used car is valued so differently from a scrap car. A car at the end of the road goes to a licensed Ontario recycler. The process usually looks like this: 1. All fluids are drained, including oil, coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid and air conditioning refrigerant. 2. The battery and catalytic converter are removed and handled separately. 3. Usable parts, like engines, transmissions, doors and wheels, are pulled and resold. 4. The remaining shell is crushed and shredded, and the metal is sent off to be melted down and reused. **Around 75–80% of a typical vehicle by weight can be recycled.** Once you've signed the car over and taken your plates, you're done with it. Learn more about [how car recycling works](/guides/how-car-recycling-works). ## Questions about how it works ### Do I need to be there when you pick up the car? Yes, in most cases. Someone authorized to sell the car needs to sign the paperwork and receive the payment. The visit usually takes 20–30 minutes. If you can't be there, call us and we'll talk through options, such as a family member meeting the driver with your written authorization. ### Can you pick up the car somewhere other than my home? Yes. We can pick up from your workplace, a repair shop, a storage lot, a parking garage or a relative's driveway. You, or someone authorized, still need to be there with the paperwork. Let us know about gate codes, shop hours or parking levels when you book. ### What if my car doesn't match what I described? Then we'll explain what's different and adjust the offer before any money changes hands. You're free to say no at that point, and you won't be charged for the visit. The best way to avoid this is to describe the car honestly, including damage and missing parts. ### How long is my offer good for? Offers are held for a limited time, because scrap metal prices and used-car demand change. We'll tell you how long your quote is held when we give it. If your plans change or the offer runs out, call us and we'll update it at current prices. ### Do I need to clean the car or leave gas in it? No. You don't need to clean it or fill the tank. Just remove your personal belongings, garage door openers, toll transponders and licence plates. Don't take off the battery, wheels or catalytic converter, since those are part of what we're paying for. ### Can I sell a car that isn't in my name? Usually only with the right paperwork. The registered owner can sign a written authorization, or an executor can sell a car that's part of an estate. Call us before booking and we'll tell you what paperwork you need for your situation, so pickup day goes smoothly. ## Ready to start? Get your firm offer Call (289) 349-2006 or fill in the form and you'll have a firm cash offer in about 3 minutes. Free towing and cash on the spot, with no obligation.