What to Do Before Selling Your Junk Car: A 10-Step Checklist

Selling a junk car is quick, but a few minutes of preparation protects you from headaches later. Run through this checklist before the tow truck arrives.

Before Pickup

1. Find your title. Check glove boxes, file cabinets and safes. Lost it? Read our Georgia title guide.
2. Get a lien release if needed. If the car was ever financed, make sure the loan is paid off and you have proof.
3. Clean out personal items. Check under seats, the trunk, the spare-tire well, door pockets, sun visors and the center console.
4. Remove your toll transponder. Take off your Peach Pass or other toll tag and remove the vehicle from your account.
5. Remove garage door openers and parking passes.
6. Wipe your data. Unpair your phone and clear saved addresses from the infotainment system.
7. Take off your license plate. In Georgia, plates stay with the owner.

At Pickup

8. Sign the paperwork correctly. Sign your name exactly as it appears on the title and keep a copy of the bill of sale.

After the Sale

9. Cancel your insurance on the vehicle.
10. Update your registration with your county tag office as required, and keep your records in case questions ever come up.