Common Types of Metal in Junk Cars

If you are wondering why you can get paid cash for a totaled or junked vehicle, it is because they contain metal that can be reprocessed and reused over and over again! Metal is 100% recyclable, so selling a junk car to a local scrapper is an excellent way to help the environment and put some cash in your wallet.

Continue reading to learn which areas of a vehicle contain desirable amounts of metal, as well as, how to get started selling a junk car in Indianapolis.

Indianapolis Junk Car Buyers 317-608-2188
Indianapolis Junk Car Buyers 317-608-2188

⚙ Aluminum

Aluminum is found in various parts and components inside a vehicle. Common parts that contain aluminum include motors, doors, hoods, and rims.

⚙ Lead

Lead is abundant in a junk car. Parts inside the battery are often made of lead, as well as, the wheels. Car wheels are an excellent automotive component to scrap for cash because they are heavy.

⚙ Steel

Steel is the majority of metal found in a junk vehicle. Also known as shredded auto scrap, you can find it in the frame, chassis, engine, and virtually all other components inside a car.

⚙ Copper

Cars contain all sorts of electrical wires, and copper happens to be the best metal for heat and energy transfer. Many of a vehicle’s wires are made of copper, which can be repurposed.

⚙ Precious Metal

Inside a car you’ll find a catalytic converter, which is primarily comprised of two highly-valuable precious metals, platinum and palladium. Gold can also be found in computer circuit boards.

How Much a Junk Car is Worth

The total value you can expect to receive for selling a junk car will vary depending on several factors. Not only does the worth of a junk car depend on the attributes of the junk car itself, it also depends heavily on current stock exchange prices, market metal values, timing, and perhaps the most influential, industry demand. Read our blog, “How Much Can I Make From Selling a Junk Car” to understand how much you might get paid for your junk vehicle.

In order to feel confident that you are getting paid the right amount of cash for your junk car is to choose a reputable Indianapolis junk car buyer to do business with. Look for a professional business that has been serving the community for some time, and provides customer amenities like free quotes and haul away service. You also want to look for positive customer feedback and reviews.

Skip the Hassle and Go Directly to the Pros!

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to sell a junk car for cash in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding counties. We offer free towing with our in-house tow truck, so all you have to do is call and accept our offer! We will schedule a time to pick up your vehicle and pay you cash. Call 317-608-2188 to request a free estimate, today.

GC’s Junk Cars
GC’s Junk Cars 317-608-2188

The 4 Steps to Removing a Salvaged Title on a Junk Car

Whether you have an old Ford truck handed down to you from previous generations, or a recently totaled sports coupe, it is likely that the title is now branded as salvaged. A salvaged title is one that is given to vehicle’s that have been recognized as a total loss by the owners’ insurance carrier. A total loss vehicle is one that costs more to repair than what it is actually worth.

If you have a vehicle that matches either of these descriptions, you might be considering your options. Most junk car owners choose to turn their loss into insurance, while many others sell theirs to a local junk car buyer. However, there are a select few who prefer to restore the vehicle and use it, or better yet, put it back on the market. If you are one of these lucky individuals, it is required by law to have the salvaged title rebranded.

Continue reading to learn the 4 steps you need to take to remove a salvaged title on your car.

Indianapolis Junk Car Buyers 317-608-2188
Indianapolis Junk Car Buyers 317-608-2188

Step ❶ – REPAIR

Your first step is to have the vehicle repaired back to a road-safe condition. Keep in mind, you will need to have the repairs done by an actual certified mechanic if you want the vehicle to pass inspection. You don’t have to repair the vehicle back to a fully-operational condition; it’s still road-safe if the stereo doesn’t work or the middle console doesn’t open up. But the all mechanical systems and safety features must be up-to-code if you want to ultimately remove the salvaged title.

Step ❷ –INSPECTION

You will need to visit your local DMV to obtain the proper documents to have your newly-repaired vehicle inspected. Most branches will require you to bring your bill of sale, the salvaged title, photos, and possibly other types of documentation pertaining to your asset. Once all paperwork and processes are complete, an inspection can be scheduled. Keep in mind that it is illegal to drive the vehicle to the inspection site, even though it is operational. Instead, you will need to have it towed.

Step ❸ – APPLY

Upon passing inspection by the DMV, you can proceed with apply for a re-branded car title. You will need to fill out more application forms at the branch, and even pay a few fees. Within 7 to 10 days, or depending on your county’s system, you will receive your new title in the mail with a statement branded on the front signifying that the title was rebuilt.

Indianapolis Junk Car Buyers

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to sell a junk car in Indianapolis, today! We have been buying junk cars throughout the Central Indiana area for several years. You will get the best price for your car because you are selling directly to the scrap yard! There is never a middle man, which means you walk away with more cash in your pocket. We buy all types of vehicles in all types of shape, running or not, and offer free towing and pick-up.

Want to Know What You Can Do With Your Totaled Car?

If you’ve just totaled your car, hopefully you are well and in full recovery. But now, you have a damaged asset on your hands. What can you do with a totaled vehicle besides hand it over to your insurance carrier? Well, the truth is, there are many alternatives to accepting the insurance payout from your policy. Continue reading to learn what all you can do with a totaled vehicle.

Indianapolis Junk Car Buyers 317-608-2188
Indianapolis Junk Car Buyers 317-608-2188

☑ Repair

There are many cases in which an insurance company deems a car totaled because it costs more than 51% of the total cash value to repair it back to its original condition, yet, it is still repairable as a luxury or modern vehicle. You see, just because it is too much for the insurance company to pay to repair it, it may not be for you. You might decide that your 2018 Mercedes should be repaired rather than totaled out. The same theory applies to other luxury or newer vehicles that can be totaled as a result of something small, like a catalytic converter or cosmetic damage. Keep in mind, you have to get a rebuilt title and prove the car roadworthy. Otherwise, many automotive insurance carriers will not insure a rebuilt vehicle.

☑ Donate

If you want to be philanthropic, it would make sense to donate your totaled vehicle. Not only is this charitable, most automotive donation organizations will tow your vehicle away for free. Best of all, you will get certain tax deductions for the depreciated value of the car you donate. Keep in mind, you would have to first buy back the car from your insurance carrier before giving it away to a charity. In this case, your insurance carrier would deduct the vehicle’s salvage value, which generally hovers around a few hundred dollars, plus any policy deductible if the accident was your fault. In the end, you would get a check for the remainder, plus a salvage title.

☑ Sell

The most popular and lucrative option for a totaled car is to keep it, and then sell it to a local salvage yard for cash. As mentioned, if you decide to keep your totaled vehicle, you will have to first have to get a salved titled through your insurance carrier. Once you have the title and your vehicle is no longer insured under the carrier, you can choose a reputable Indianapolis junk car buyer to do business with. They will haul your car away for free, plus pay you cash on the spot. Just be sure you have the title, otherwise, it can be difficult finding a cash for cars company to do business with in the first place.

Indianapolis Junk Car Buyers at Your Service

Cash for Junk Cars 317-608-2188
Cash for Junk Cars 317-608-2188

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to sell your totaled car for cash in Indianapolis. We offer free towing with our in-house tow truck, so all you have to do is call and accept our offer! We will schedule a time to pick up your vehicle and pay you cash. No title? No problem! Give us a call anyway! Call 317-608-2188 to request a free estimate, today.

General Qualities of a Total Loss Car

If you have just walked away from a recent car accident scratch-free, but the same cannot be said about your vehicle, it is important to learn whether or not your car is a total loss. Continue reading to learn what it means to have a total loss vehicle, and what you can do if this is your current situation.

Sell a Totaled Car

Call Us to Sell a Totaled Car in Indianapolis! 317-608-2188

Total Loss Vehicle

A vehicle can only be deemed a total loss by the insurance company. An insurance adjuster will come out to inspect the vehicle and determine whether or not it is totaled. A total loss vehicle is one in which the cost to repair it back to the condition it was in before the accident is MORE THAN the market value of the vehicle before the accident. For instance, if your car is worth $3,000 on the current market, but after your accident, the total cost of repairs is estimated to be $4,400, then the car is totaled.

What To Do With a Totaled Car

You generally have two options when your car is deemed totaled by your insurance carrier. You can either file the claim to receive compensation from your insurance provider (the amount of compensation will depend on various factors, including your particular policy terms and the market value of your vehicle), or you can refuse to file it with your insurance and keep the car. If you choose to file a claim with your auto insurance carrier, they will take the vehicle, title, keys, and license plate out of your possession.

If you do not file with your insurance carrier and decide to keep the vehicle, you will receive a new car title that shows the total loss. This is called a salvage car title. You will need this salvage car title if you want to sell your totaled vehicle. You can choose to sell a totaled vehicle privately, among the local community, but you will have better luck selling it to a professional junk car buyer in your town. Depending on your policy benefits, you may get more money for your totaled car through an Indianapolis Cash For Cars Company, rather than an insurance claim.

We Will Pay Top Dollar for Your Totaled Car!

Cash for Junk Cars 317-608-2188

Cash for Junk Cars 317-608-2188

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to sell your totaled car for cash in Indianapolis. We offer free towing with our in-house tow truck, so all you have to do is call and accept our offer! We will schedule a time to pick up your vehicle and pay you cash. Call 317-608-2188 to request a free estimate, today.

Common Descriptions for Salvaged Car Titles

When a car is damaged, and the cost to repair the damage exceeds the vehicle’s overall value, an insurance company will consider it a totaled car. If the owner decides to invest in the necessary repairs and make the vehicle drivable once again, they need to be sure they do so legally. This requires that the car be street legal, meaning it is mechanically safe, sufficiently insured, and has the proper form of salvage title.

Continue reading to learn the common forms of salvage titles, and how to sell a junk car without a title.

Indianapolis Junk Car Buyers 317-608-2188

Indianapolis Junk Car Buyers 317-608-2188


Salvaged titles are important because they protect future buyers from purchasing a vehicle without knowing the true underlying extent of a vehicle’s damage. A salvaged vehicle is generally branded with an official description that describes the condition of the vehicle. These official descriptions vary depending on certain factors, including the type or extent of vehicular damage and the particular state in which the vehicle is titled under.

There are 3 salvage title descriptions that are the most common in the industry include Total-Loss Vehicle, Rebuilt Title, and Inoperable or Non-Repairable. Within these common title brands include vehicles with flood damage and fire damage.

Total-Loss Vehicle

This title description describes a vehicle that has sustained damage and could be repaired; however, the cost to repair the damage would be more than a predetermined amount of the total economic value of the vehicle. The predetermined amount varies from state to state, but usually ranges between 60 and 100 percent.

Rebuilt Title

A rebuilt title is designated for vehicles that were previously branded a total loss, but then repaired back to a drivable condition. If repaired, the vehicle must pass a vigorous structural safety inspection before it can be legally operated. These are also known as “reconstructed” and “refurbished” titles. The moniker varies among jurisdiction.

Non-Repairable

When a vehicle experiences a high level of damage, and the damage makes it impossible to repair, it is given a non-repairable title. These are also known as “inoperable” and “irreparable” titles. Cars with an inoperable title cannot be repaired and legally driven. They can only be used for parts and scrap metal applications.

Need to Sell a Salvaged Car Without a Title?

Sometimes car titles get lost or even stolen, and other times they are never transferred over to the new owner. Regardless of why your title is missing, there are still ways to sell your car without it. Although having a car title can make the process easier, selling a vehicle without a title only requires a few extra steps. Many will have success declaring their car title lost or stolen, while others live in states that have procedures in place for car owners who want to sell a vehicle to a private party without a title. A highly recommended method is to sell your vehicle to an Indianapolis junk car buyer who will do business without a car title. This is also the easier way to go since many salvage yards will tow your vehicle to their lot for free.

We Will Buy Your Car Without a Title!

Cash for Junk Cars 317-608-2188

Cash for Junk Cars 317-608-2188

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to sell your totaled car for cash in Indianapolis. We have been buying junk cars throughout the Central Indiana area for several years. With our knowledge and expertise, we stand by our offers 100%. Rest assure you will be getting the best price for your car because you are selling directly to the scrap yard! There is never a middle man, which means you walk away with more cash in your pocket.