Cash for Junk Cars in California | We Buy Clunkers & Old Cars
LATEST UPDATE May 16, 2023 - CASH FOR CLUNKERS
CONSUMER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
California’s Bureau of Automotive Repair’s (BAR) Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) provides customers who are eligible with optional assistance for repairs and/or a vehicle retirement option to help California’s air quality improve. This gives vehicle owners cash for junk cars in California to put toward fuel-efficient improvements or a newer vehicle.
To be able to participate, one must meet certain eligibility requirements (detailed below) and the program’s availability of funds each fiscal year (July 1st – June 30th). The time required to process your request and receive payment is estimated to be approximately 6-8 weeks once the application is received.
If you need cash fast and just don’t have that sort of time, our private company, Cash for Clunkers in California, is an alternative program available that only takes approximately 48-72 hours to be paid. Our cash for junk cars process accepts any vehicle, no matter the condition, and provides free towing and cash on the spot, no matter your location in California!
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CALIFORNIA'S CONSUMER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM VEHICLE RETIREMENT GUIDE
To be able to participate and get cash for junk cars in California through CAP, one must meet certain eligibility requirements outlined below. The time required to process and receive payment is estimated to be approximately 6-8 weeks.
Below is our short video outlining the criteria required to participate and options to consider:
The State of California Cash for Clunkers car buyback program is operated by the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR). See information below on the program, Cash for Clunkers in California. Learn more about the program and how to retire your junk car in California with the detailed information below.
Car Retirement Program in California Criteria
Criteria #1- Is it Operating?
Does your car start without a jump
and is your car running and drivable?
Criteria #2 - Is It Registered?
Your car must be currently registered in California.
Criteria #3 - Failed Emissions?
Has your car failed a smog test? To qualify you must have failed your
last emissions test.
Criteria #4 - The Exception
Are you considered low income? If so, you can sell your car even if it doesn’t pass SMOG tests.
Timing of Payment? #5
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California Car Buyback Program
The State of California Cash for Clunkers vehicle retirement program is operated by the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR). See information below on Cash for Clunkers in California. Learn more about the program and how to retire your junk car in California with the detailed information below:
Available in all locations across California, the state of California vehicle retirement program also known as CAP or BAR Program promotes clean air by removing clunkers that are currently operating in California. This program acts as California’s Cash for Clunkers alternative. In addition to the CAP operated by BAR and run by the California state government, there are also local vehicle retirement programs in a few select areas via local air districts that will give residents easier cash for junk cars in California.
The 2021 California car retirement program CAP (Consumer Assistance Program), is accepting new applications again.
Note: The time required to process your request and receive payment is estimated at approximately 6 to 8 weeks once they receive the application. Unfortunately, this timeline makes the California Cash for Clunkers program very challenging for sellers with a junk car that needs to sell fast.
Want to sell your car to the State of California? If you need payment quickly, local California car buyers are buying both running and non-running cars and will pay you cash for a junk car in California within 2 or 3 days.
Is your car eligible for BAR buyback? Follow these guidelines for help:
Need Cash Faster than 90 Days? Call Now!
Is your car drivable?
Yes
To sell your car to the State you must be able to drive it to a local dismantler.
No
Since your car is not eligible for BAR please click here for information on selling to a local car buyer via the private California cash for clunkers option. Call Now or get a Free Instant Offer.
Is your car currently registered in California?
Yes
The vehicle must be currently registered with the DMV with a valid, unexpired registration sticker OR have all fees paid to the DMV and have a registration that has not been expired more than 120 days.
In order to be paid to retire your vehicle it must have been continuously registered in CA for the past 2 years.
(Note: The registration must not have lapsed for more than 120 days during those two years).
EXCEPTION: The vehicle may also be eligible if proven to have been primarily driven in California for the last two years and not have been registered in any other state or country in the last two years. Evidence in form of auto repair invoices or insurance payments is required to meet this exception.
If you need a temporary operating permit (TOP) to drive an unregistered car for one day to the dismantler location learn more here.
No
Since your car is not eligible for BAR please click here for information on selling to a local car buyer via the private California cash for clunkers option. Call Now or get a Free Instant Offer
Has Your Car Failed a Smog Test?
Yes
Your vehicle must have failed its most recent Smog check inspection.
No*
Since your vehicle passed a Smog inspection your car is not eligible for BAR. Please click here for information on selling to a local car buyer via the private California cash for clunkers option. Call Now or get a Free Instant Offer.
See exceptions below:
*EXCEPTIONS:
Income Level
Are you considered low income? If so you can sell your car even if it passes SMOG. To qualify for low income benefits you must provide full household income as noted on this income verification form.
1997 and older vehicles:
Is your car model year 1997 or OLDER? You should research the local air district programs.
If based on this information, you are eligible to sell your car to BAR you should have one last consideration which is timing of payment:
Once your application is reviewed and approved expect payment in 6-8 Weeks.
If you need quick payment, you may want to consider selling to a local car buyer that will buy your car AND provide free towing. Cash for Clunkers in California connects you to an instant offer with local car buyers who pay quickly, usually within 24 to 48 hours! Local cash buyers make offers based on market values and are not using government tax revenues to purchase cars so their offer may be less than the $1,000 incentive offered by BAR. Call Now or get a Free Instant Offer.
Payment in 6 to 8 weeks
State BAR Program: Process from start to finish should take approximately 6 to 8 weeks.
The State of California program offers both a paper application or online application which should be processed within 30 days.
After approximately thirty day application processing period if you are approved you will receive a letter with the information on where to drive your car for retirement. Based on this information it is probably safe to assume this process will take anywhere from 45 to 60 days on average to receive your payment from the date you submit the BAR form.
California does have an official program to buy back vehicles. The Vehicle Buy Back Program buys used vehicles from California registered motorists. Offering $1,500 flat payout to low income applicants, and $1,000 to normal income car owners in California. You must meet strict criteria to be eligible to participate in the program.
California allows you to retire only 1 as a sole owner OR 2 vehicles if you are joint owners via CAP over the past 12 months.
Absolutely! Cash for Clunkers now is a private vehicle buying service designed to connect sellers with local cash buyers near you who will collect your vehicle and pay cash on the spot!
1. You Failed a Smog Test and want to sell your car via BAR.
2. You Passed a Smog Test but are considered low income and want to sell your car via BAR.
3. You Failed a Smog Test are considered low income and want to repair your emission system.
4. You live in certain Air Districts and have an older car (usually 1995 and older) and want to retire your car.
5. Your car is not eligible for the BAR program and you may want to speak with a local car buyer that will be interested in buying your car via the private California cash for clunkers option.
6. Your car may be worth more than the BAR program is offering and you want to speak with a local car buyer to check the wholesale market value of your car before you sell it to state for $1,000 or $1,500. Note: most non-running cars are valued at scrap price so this would not be a concern.
Call Now or get a Free Instant Offer from local cash buyers.
Access the 2021 State of California Department of Consumers Affairs Consumer Assistance Program application form (PDF file) or apply online for faster results.
What does California consider “low income”? If you are not sure what is considered low income, you can check the income table to see if your household income is considered “low income” for the purposes of this program.
To qualify for the low income benefits, you may also need to provide income verification.
- Vehicle Retirement
- Selling a Vehicle for Cash
- State of California BAR program
If you want to speak to someone about the program or check on your application call 1-866-272-9642. Para obtener unasolicituden español, lláme a BAR al 866.272.9642.
Has your vehicle FAILED the latest Smog Check Test?
California Cash for Clunkers: Has your vehicle FAILED the latest Smog Check Test?
The state’s recently enhanced Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) was developed by the ARB in consultation with BAR and provides $1,000 per vehicle and $1,500 for low-income consumers for unwanted vehicles that have FAILED their last Smog Check Test.
Here are the basic requirements for cars that have FAILED SMOG TEST:
- Vehicle must be drivable (Note: If your vehicle is not drivable or doesn’t meet the other requirements listed below you may wish to contact a private junk car buyer in California that will buy your car and provide free towing)
- $1,500 to applicants that meet low income requirement (See income chart below)
- $1,000 to applicants that DO NOT meet the low income requirements (See income chart below)
- Applicant for reimbursement must be the Registered Owner or Joint Registered Owner
- Vehicle is NOT a new California Registration
- Vehicle ownership is not currently being transferred to a new owner
- Vehicle is registered to individual not a business or charity
- If a “Salvage Vehicle” then must be registered with Salvage Title
- Vehicle must have been continuously registered in CA for past two years
- Vehicle must be currently registered in CA
- Vehicle must be a Car, Van, Truck or SUV weighing less than 10,000 pounds
- Applicants are limited to one vehicle retirement per 12 month period or two vehicles per 12 month period if retired vehicles are jointly registered to applicant and another party
The vehicle must also meet certain Vehicle Equipment Requirements and Vehicle Operational Requirements.
Vehicle Equipment Requirements
- All doors
- Hood lid
- Dashboard
- Windshield
- At least one side window glass
- Driver’s seat
- At least one bumper
- Exhaust system
- All side and /or quarter panels
- At least one headlight, one taillight, and one brake light
Vehicle Operational Requirements
- Vehicle must be driven to a CAP-contracted dismantler under its own power.
- Vehicle engine starts readily through ordinary means without the use of starting fluids or external boost batteries.
- Vehicle drivability is not affected by any body, steering, or suspension damage.
- Vehicle is able to drive forward a minimum distance of 10 yards under its own power.
- Interior pedals are operational.
You must be able to drive the car to one of the approved dismantlers.
If your vehicle meets the requirements you can download the application.
Has your vehicle PASSED the latest Smog Check Test?
The State’s recently enhanced Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) was developed by the ARB in consultation with BAR and provides $1,500 for low-income applicants that are willing to retire unwanted vehicles that have PASSED their last Smog Check Test.
Here are the basic requirements for cars that have PASSED SMOG TEST:
- Vehicle must be drivable (Note: If your vehicle is not drivable or doesn’t meet the other requirements listed below you can get a free quote from a local California junk car buyer that will buy your car and provide free towing)
- Applicant must meet low income requirement (See chart below)
- Applicant for reimbursement must be the Registered Owner or Joint Registered Owner
- Vehicle is NOT a new California Registration
- Vehicle is registered to individual not a business or charity
- If a “Salvage Vehicle” then must be registered with Salvage Title
- Vehicle must have been continuously registered in CA for past two years
- Vehicle must be currently registered in CA
- Vehicle must be a Car, Van, Truck or SUV weighing less than 10,000 pounds
- Applicants are limited to one vehicle retirement per 12 month period or two vehicles per 12 month period if retired vehicles are jointly registered to applicant and another party
The vehicle must also meet certain Vehicle Equipment Requirements and Vehicle Operational Requirements listed above.
You must be able to drive the car to one of the approved dismantlers. Please see the list of approved dismantlers for closest location.
If your car is not drivable or doesn’t meet the other requirements listed below you may wish to contact a private California clunker car buyer.
How are Low-Income Consumers Determined?
Wondering what income level is considered low-income?
Household income that is less than or equal to two hundred twenty -five percent (225%) of the federal poverty level, as published in the Federal Register by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. To calculate your eligibility take the income number for your household size below and multiply by 2.25.
Your total household income must be equal to or less than the amount you calculate to be considered low-income for this program. To qualify for the low income benefits you may also need to provide income verification.
View the current Federal Poverty Guidelines here.
You can visit ARB’s Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program website. For information on CAP, visit the website or call BAR at (866) 272-9642 or visit www.smogcheck.ca.gov.
Download the current BAR vehicle requirements checklist.
Need Cash Faster than 90 Days? Call Now!
Local California Air Quality District Buyback programs: sell your clunker to a local California air district VAVR program.
- Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District – 1997 vehicles and older. District includes the northeast portion of Los Angeles County. For more information, visit the Antelope Valley AQMD or call 1-800-717-7624.
- Bay Area Old Car Buy Back and Scrap Program – 1-855-343-7314 1996 and older vehicles
- San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District – 1995 or older cars, pick-up trucks or vans– For more information, visit the San Luis Obispo County APCD or call the Car Buy Back Program at (800) 717-7624.
- Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District – 1994 or older – For more information, visit the SantaBarbara County APCD or call the Car Buy Back Program at 805-961-8814.
- Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District – 1997 and older vehicles – For information, visit the Mojave Desert AQMD or call the Car Buy Back Program at (800) 717-7624.The State of California and the Air Resources Board (ARB) do not administer VAVR programs. The ARB is responsible for developing the regulations that provide guidelines to local air districts that optionally choose to administer VAVR programs.
- Vehicle Repair
- Cash for Emissions Repairs in California
- If your vehicle has a FAILED SMOG TEST and applicant meets the low income requirement (See table above) applicant may be eligible for up to $500 towards emission repairs to attempt to make vehicle pass SMOG TEST. To get more information about repairs call 866.272.9642 for more information. Para obtener una solicitude n español, lláme a BAR al 866.272.9642.
2021 California BAR Program - Car Retirement Program for California
Goal of the Car Retirement Program
The Goal of the BAR program is to provide a cash incentive to retire older, polluting cars.
The BAR program payout is a capped at $1,000 ($1,500 low income) and is an incentive based amount not based on the true market value of your car. If your car can’t pass emissions then this cash incentive is provided to help those that might need down payment assistance to replace the retired vehicle and discourage California drivers from driving cars that increase the pollution levels within California.
DISCLAIMER: Please Note these are all voluntary programs and terms may change at any time. Information provided here is to the best of our knowledge and is provided as a free resource to site visitors. Programs mentioned above are subject to change and to termination due to funding constraints.
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How to Get Cash for Junk Cars in California Quickly
Cash for Clunkers is a private junk car and used car buying business, and our California cash for junk cars process is much easier and quicker than the state program. Our process only takes 3 quick steps with us handling the majority of the work, and we can pick up from any location in California for free!
3 Step Process
Cash for Clunkers offers a simple and efficient three-step junk car buying process, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience for customers. Here’s how it works:
- Provide Information and Accept Offer: To kickstart the process, you need to provide some basic details about your clunker, such as its make, model, year, and overall condition. You can easily do this by contacting Cash for Clunkers through our anonymous online form or by calling our helpline. Once we have the necessary information, our experienced team will assess your vehicle and provide you with a fair and competitive offer. If you’re satisfied with the offer, you can proceed to the next step.
- Schedule Towing: After accepting the offer, Cash for Clunkers will work with you to schedule a convenient time for towing your vehicle. We understand the value of your time and strive to make the process as convenient as possible. On the scheduled day, a professional tow truck will arrive at your location to pick up the clunker. This step involves no effort on your part, as the experienced team handles all the heavy lifting and logistics.
- Get Cash Immediately: When the tow truck arrives to collect your clunker, it’s time for the final step. You will hand over the necessary paperwork, such as the vehicle title, registration, and any other required documentation (if you have it). Once the paperwork is completed, Cash for Clunkers will provide you with cash immediately, right on the spot. There’s no waiting or unnecessary delays, allowing you to walk away with cash in hand and the peace of mind that your clunker has been taken care of.
If you don’t have a title or other paperwork, don’t despair! We have access to a national database so that we can access a lost title for you – this way you don’t have to wait for a new title to be shipped to you before selling. This means that within 24-72 hours, you could have your junk car removed from your property with cash in hand to spend however you desire.
Cities in California
It doesn’t matter what area of California your junk car resides. We will provide free towing to pick up your clunker!
The three-step junk car buying process of Cash for Clunkers ensures a seamless transaction, from providing information to accepting an offer, scheduling towing, and finally receiving cash. With our efficient and customer-centric approach, ability to tow from any location, and acceptance of any type of vehicle and condition, you can effortlessly get rid of your junk car while receiving a fair value for it. So, if you are looking for a faster way to get cash for junk cars in California than through the state program, contact Cash for Clunkers today!
