Do you have an old car that isn't worth the effort of trying to sell it, but you still would like to make a few dollars from it? If so, selling your junk car for cash is a simple possibility. The following guide can help you with the process.

Gather your paperwork

You will need a title in your name in order to sell the car for cash. This means the vehicle must be paid off with no liens on it. If you have lost the title, you can get a new one at your Department of Motor Vehicles. In some cases, you may have to get a salvage title if the vehicle has been listed as totaled in the state's database. A lost title can be a challenge to deal with sometimes. 

If you cannot easily prove ownership, such as by bringing in an old registration slip or the receipt of sale, you may have to take further steps to secure a title. Every state is different, but generally, the DMV will run some sort of check on the vehicle's VIN to make sure it is not stolen or registered to someone else. They will then issue you a new title for a fee.

Finding a buyer

Once your documentation is in order, you need to find someone that will buy your junk car for cash. Salvage and scrap yards are usually your best option. These services will make a cash offer on the vehicle. The offer reflects the expected value of the parts of the vehicle, minus the costs of towing the vehicle to the salvage yard. You may be able to get more for the car if you can arrange to deliver it to the salvage yard yourself. Also, call around to several junk car buyers to make sure you get the best price on your car.

Preparing the car

Unless it has been discussed with the buyer, you shouldn't remove any parts from the car once an offer has been made. This includes aftermarket parts, like a stereo. Remove the stereo or other parts before finding a buyer if you want to keep these items. You should remove all personal effects that you want to keep, such as floor mats and tools. Also, remove all paperwork, including old insurance cards and registration slips, from the car. You would not want these items ending up in the wrong hands.

Finally, make sure you get a bill of sale and transfer the title over to the buyer immediately once the sale is complete. Contact a company that will buy cars for cash for more information on completing this process.