Give us Some Details
Tell us about your vehicle. We need to know the year, make, model, mileage, and overall condition. We will also ask whether it has any damage. These quick details allow us to formulate a competitive cash offer for your vehicle.
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Selling a car in San Diego should be easy. That’s why we’ve created the best service to help you sell a car fast. With SellMax, you will get a fair offer, free towing and payment on the spot! And the best part? We will do our best to give the MOST money for your vehicle.
Tell us about your vehicle. We need to know the year, make, model, mileage, and overall condition. We will also ask whether it has any damage. These quick details allow us to formulate a competitive cash offer for your vehicle.
We run the math and give you your offer within minutes online or over the phone. Expect a competitive on-the-spot offer for any vehicle, including junk cars and salvage cars, as well as older, wrecked, and good running cars. All are welcome. No pressure. No last-minute changes. No obligation to say yes. Our pricing is transparent with zero hidden fees.
Tell us when you’re available, and we’ll set the pickup. We come to your place, your office, or wherever is easiest for you. We inspect the vehicle, collect the signed title, pay you right then and there, and tow the car away. We handle the DMV paperwork so you don’t have to.
In short, we buy almost any Cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs in any condition. We will take vehicles that are Running or not. Junk, salvage, damaged, old, clunkers, high mileage, or clean title. If the vehicle has value in parts or scrap, we will make an offer.
Additionally, we buy vehicles that fail the smog test, cars with check engine lights, and cars with missing catalytic converters. As a junk car buyer, we regularly purchase vehicles with blown engines or transmission issues, flood or crash damage, and non-runners.
We’re San Diego locals and our headquarters are here. With offices around the city, our car buyers come to you anywhere in North Park, Mission Valley, La Jolla, La Mesa, Pacific Beach, Chula Vista, Mira Mesa, National City, Serra Mesa, Point Loma, and just about everywhere else in the county. In many cases we can purchase your car within an hour of your call. We buy old cars, non-runners, and everything in between.
Prefer a public meetup Instead of home or work we can meet at well-known spots like Petco Park, Balboa Park, the San Diego Convention Center, or near Qualcomm in Mission Valley. Common ZIP codes we serve include 91909, 91977, 92115, 92116, 92117, 92118, 91941, and 91942, plus many more.
In particular cases, especially with older junk cars, the junk car removal process can take between 24 and 48 hours. For most vehicles we buy, pickup is same day. To check availability, call (619) 268-6333. We are open seven days a week, and we’ll let you know right away if we can pick it up the same day.
In San Diego, California, you need the title (pink slip) or current vehicle registration to prove the car belongs to you. The vehicle must also be free of any lienholders, or you must provide a lien release or payoff letter from the lender. Once you have these, we can pay you cash for your car. To learn more about the required paperwork, visit the local DMV website.
A car or truck is considered a junk car when the cost to repair it is higher than its market value. Vehicles that fail California smog testing or can’t be made roadworthy at a reasonable cost often fall into this category. If you’re unsure, call us or request a quote to speak with a specialist.
If, for any reason, we’re unable to purchase your car, we’re well connected in the industry and can refer you to one of our local partners in San Diego who should be able to buy it.
Most pickups happen the same day (often within an hour). For vehicles being junked, pickup can take 24 to 48 hours.
No. Pickup and towing are free.
Yes. We can purchase your car if the title is lost, missing, or you never received it. The vehicle must be paid off and titled in California. If there is an active lien, you will need a lien release or payoff letter. If you have questions, give our team a call.
Nope, no hidden fees. The price we quote is the price you get.
There’s no one size fits all answer. But we’re experts, and we can get you a quote within minutes online or by phone.
Once we arrive, the process is quick. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
Junk cars are priced by what they return in the car recycling process. We consider:
About Sean: Sean Pour has spent nearly 20 years in the cash for junk cars industry. He’s spent more time than he cares to imagine developing pricing algorithms for vehicles, building buyer networks, and tracking salvage and scrap markets across California. As SellMax’s co-founder, he’s helped thousands of sellers solve title issues and smog issues, and his company has paid out millions to people looking to get cash for cars. He keeps a close eye on San Diego’s weekly offer trends.
Over the last 30 days, our San Diego team has stayed busy. Based on recent SellMax quotes and purchases, here is what we are currently seeing in today’s market as of 10/5/2025:
If you’ve been on the fence, San Diego is a good market to sell into right now—especially for trucks, SUVs, and compacts like the Sentra and Focus with smog or mechanical issues.
— Sean Pour, Co-Founder, SellMax
Sold my dead car in hours, picked up next day in the rain, and they even brought back my gate key two weeks later. Fair price, quick responses, genuinely nice people.
| Vehicle | ZIP CODE | OFFER DATE | OFFER PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 Volkswagen New Beetle | 92149 | 09-25-2025 | $927 |
| 1975 Porsche 924 | 92198 | 09-24-2025 | $879 |
| 1995 Nissan 100 NX | 92123 | 09-24-2025 | $814 |
| 1974 Ford Capri | 92119 | 09-22-2025 | $425 |
| 2023 Ford F-350 Super Duty | 92155 | 09-21-2025 | $509 |
| 1964 Volkswagen Beetle | 92160 | 09-20-2025 | $415 |
| 1954 Porsche 356 | 92115 | 09-20-2025 | $426 |
| 1969 Mercury Montego | 92102 | 09-20-2025 | $742 |
| 1984 Buick Century | 92179 | 09-17-2025 | $311 |
| 2008 Pontiac Vibe | 92134 | 09-15-2025 | $701 |
| 2004 Scion XA | 92193 | 09-15-2025 | $906 |
| 1992 Mercedes-benz 500 | 92129 | 09-14-2025 | $482 |
| 2024 BMW 5 Series | 92153 | 09-14-2025 | $474 |
| 1982 Mazda 121 | 92120 | 09-14-2025 | $516 |
| 2022 Lexus NX 350h | 92170 | 09-13-2025 | $321 |
