We Buy Nice And
Junk Cars In San Diego
(619) 268-6333


We are local, and we come to you!

Cash being exchange for a used car
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Get Fast Cash For Cars In San Diego

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.

Here’s How It Works

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.

Checklist: year, make, model, mileage, condition

Receive A Quote

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.

Offer amount ticker

Meet Our San Diego Staff + Get Paid

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.

SellMax team member

Here’s the types of cars we buy

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.

In Most Cases We Offer Same-Day Pickup Throughout San Diego County

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.

Junk car removal timing varies in San Diego

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.

Cash For Cars Frequently Asked Questions

What paperwork do you need to sell a car in San Diego?

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.

What makes a vehicle junk?

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.

What if you're unable to purchase my car?

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.

How fast can I sell my car?

Most pickups happen the same day (often within an hour). For vehicles being junked, pickup can take 24 to 48 hours.

Do you charge for towing?

No. Pickup and towing are free.

Can you buy my car without a title?

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.

Are there any hidden fees?

Nope, no hidden fees. The price we quote is the price you get.

How much is my car worth?

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.

How Long Does The process take?

Once we arrive, the process is quick. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

How are junk cars valued?

Junk cars are priced by what they return in the car recycling process. We consider:

  • Scrap metal weight and current commodity prices
  • Demand for reusable parts like engines, transmissions, wheels, catalytic converters, and body panels
  • Whether key components are intact or missing
  • Title status and logistics such as towing distance

Sean’s Expert Take — San Diego, CA

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:

  • Most common junk buys: Nissan Sentra and Ford Focus are leading our purchases for junk and non-runners. The biggest issue we are seeing with these vehicles is transmission problems.
  • Average payout citywide: $629 across junk and used vehicles. Small compacts typically land between $420–$680, while clean-title trucks and SUVs average $850–$1,900.
  • Speed: Median pickup time is 3 hours 12 minutes. 92% of cars are picked up within 24 hours.
  • Why cars are sold:
    • 22% had a check-engine light.
    • 16% were missing a catalytic converter.
    • 12% had transmission failure.
    • 20% had significant collision/body damage.
    • 30% had a bad engine.
  • Neighborhood volume: Highest activity from Mission Valley, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Miramar, Mira Mesa, Point Loma, Rancho San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe, San Ysidro, and Scripps Ranch.
  • Market note: Scrap values in SoCal are roughly flat month-over-month (down ~0.7%), but strong parts demand is keeping offers competitive.

San Diego Snapshot (last 30 days)

Average cash offers by vehicle type — San Diego
Average cash offers by vehicle type

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

Our customers love us!

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.
Mich L (Yelp)

 

The Average Price Paid For Junk Cars In
San Diego

$590

We Pay A Lot More For
Running Cars!

Why Choose SellMax?

a payment to a customer for a junk car

We Buy Nice &
Junk Cars

Fast Service!

Recently Purchased Vehicles In San Diego

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

SellMax Cash For Cars
San Diego CA 92115

a junk car being removed

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