Most people only get rid of a junk car once or twice in their life, so it makes sense that a lot of what they “know” about it comes from a neighbour, a forum post, or one bad experience years ago. Some of it is true. A lot of it isn’t, and it stops people from dealing with a car that’s been sitting in the driveway for months. This guide sorts the common myths about junk car removal in the GTA from the facts, for owners in Toronto and the east GTA.
Canadian Auto Wreckers is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and has been buying and removing scrap, junk, and unwanted vehicles since 1981. Have a question about your own car? Call 416-559-3683 or send the details through our online quote form.
CAW Team, Canadian Auto Wreckers
Key takeaways
- A car doesn’t have to run, pass a safety, or even have all its parts to be picked up for scrap.
- Towing is included with an accepted sale. You shouldn’t be handed a separate towing bill.
- In Ontario, the licence plates belong to you, not the car. Take them off before pickup.
- A loan or lien has to be cleared before the car can be sold, but it doesn’t make the car worthless.
- An honest description up front is what keeps the quote you’re given the same on pickup day.
Myths vs facts at a glance
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| It has to run before anyone will take it. | Non-running cars are picked up all the time. The tow truck does the moving. |
| No keys means no pickup. | Missing keys usually isn’t a deal-breaker for a scrap car. Mention it when you call. |
| Towing always costs extra. | With us, towing is free and included in the quote. |
| The plates go with the car. | In Ontario the plates stay with the owner. You remove them. |
| A car with a loan on it can never be sold. | It can, once the lien is paid off or cleared with the lender. |
| The price always drops when the truck shows up. | If the car matches what you described, the quote should match too. |
| A junk car is only worth its weight in metal. | Parts, the catalytic converter, and condition all play a role. |
| Scrap cars just get dumped somewhere. | We recycle vehicles responsibly, as Ontario law requires. |
| Nobody will come out past the city. | We pick up across Toronto and the east GTA, including rural areas. |
Myth 1: “It has to run before anyone will take it”
This is probably the most common one. People assume that if the engine won’t turn over, the car is stuck with them until they pay for repairs. In fact, most of the cars headed for scrap don’t run. That’s often the reason they’re being scrapped in the first place. A flatbed or wheel-lift tow truck moves the car, so it doesn’t matter whether it starts.
What does matter is that the truck can get to it. Tell us if the car is in a backyard, a tight garage, or on flat tires so we send the right equipment. Our post on what to do when your car won’t start goes into more detail.
Myth 2: “No keys means no pickup”
Keys get lost, especially when a car has been parked for a few years or came with an estate. For a car that’s being scrapped, missing keys usually isn’t a problem, because nobody needs to drive it away. Let us know when you call so we can plan the tow. Proof that the car is yours still matters, which we cover in scrapping a car with no keys or missing parts.
Myth 3: “Towing always costs extra”
Some buyers do take a towing fee out of the payment, which is where this idea comes from. With Canadian Auto Wreckers, towing is free and is part of the quote you accept. Before you agree to anything with any buyer, ask plainly: “Is towing included, and will anything be deducted on pickup day?” Here’s more on what free towing for a junk car in Toronto actually means.
Myth 4: “The plates go with the car”
In Ontario, licence plates belong to the person, not the vehicle. Take them off before the tow truck leaves, and keep them for your next car or return them to a ServiceOntario centre. You’ll also sign the transfer on the vehicle permit, and you should call your insurance company once the car is gone. Our guide to cash for cars paperwork, plates, and insurance in Ontario walks through each step.
Myth 5: “A car with a loan on it can never be sold”
A registered lien does have to be dealt with before ownership can change hands. That usually means paying off the balance or getting a lien release from the lender. It doesn’t mean the car is worthless or that you’re stuck with it. Call your lender first and ask what they need from you. More here: selling a scrap car with a loan or lien in Ontario.
Myth 6: “The price always drops when the truck shows up”
This one comes from real bad experiences, so it’s worth taking seriously. A quote is based on what you tell us: year, make, model, whether it runs, what’s missing, and where it’s parked. If the car matches that description, the quote should be the same on pickup day. Where people get surprised is when something important was left out, like a missing catalytic converter or a missing engine.
The fix is simple. Describe the car honestly, and ask how the quote is confirmed before you book. Our list of questions to ask before you accept a cash for cars offer helps you spot a buyer who plans to haggle at the door.
Myth 7: “A junk car is only worth its weight in metal”
Metal is part of it, but it isn’t the whole picture. These are the main things that affect what a junk car is worth:
- Year, make, model, and the size of the vehicle
- Whether it runs, and the condition of the engine and transmission
- Whether the catalytic converter and other major parts are still on it
- Rust, frame damage, and accident damage
- Where it’s parked and how easy it is to tow
That’s why two cars that look equally rough can get different quotes. If you’re curious about one of the bigger factors, see how the catalytic converter affects scrap car value.
Myth 8: “Scrap cars just get dumped somewhere”
A responsibly handled scrap car doesn’t end up in a field. Fluids such as oil, coolant, and fuel are drained, the battery and tires are handled separately, usable parts are recovered, and the remaining metal is recycled. Canadian Auto Wreckers recycles vehicles responsibly, as Ontario law requires. Here’s what happens to a car after junk car removal.
Myth 9: “Nobody will come out past the city”
Plenty of junk cars sit on farms, cottage properties, and long rural driveways. We pick up across Toronto and the east GTA, from Scarborough and Pickering out to Clarington, Peterborough, and Kawartha Lakes. If the car is somewhere hard to reach, just tell us when you call. We also have a guide to rural scrap car pickup.
A situation we often see
A car has been parked for a long time, maybe since it failed a safety or since someone in the family stopped driving. The owner has been putting off calling because they assume it won’t start, the keys are somewhere in a drawer, and the tow will cost more than the car is worth. Once they call, most of those worries turn out to be smaller than expected. The real to-do list is usually short: find the vehicle permit, take off the plates, clear out personal items, and make sure the truck can reach the car.
Quick checklist before you call
- Year, make, and model, plus the approximate kilometres if you know them
- Whether it runs, and anything major that’s missing or damaged
- Whether you have the keys and the vehicle permit in your name
- Whether there’s a loan or lien on the car
- Where it’s parked: driveway, underground garage, street, backyard, or repair shop
For a fuller list, see what to have ready for junk car removal in the east GTA.
Frequently asked questions
Do you pick up junk cars that don’t run?
Yes. Non-running cars are a big part of what we remove. The tow truck moves the car, so it doesn’t need to start or drive.
Is there a charge for towing?
No. Towing is free and included in the quote you accept, anywhere we serve in Toronto and the east GTA.
What do I do with my licence plates?
Take them off before pickup. In Ontario the plates belong to you, so keep them for another vehicle or return them to ServiceOntario.
Can I scrap a car that still has a loan on it?
Only after the lien is paid off or released by the lender. Contact your lender first and ask what they need from you.
Which areas do you cover for junk car removal?
We pick up across Toronto and the east GTA, including Scarborough, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Clarington, Peterborough, and Kawartha Lakes.
Get a quote for your junk car
If something you heard has been stopping you from dealing with an old car, ask us directly. Tell us the year, make, model, its condition, and where it’s parked, and we’ll give you a clear quote with free towing included. Call 416-559-3683 or use our online quote form. You can also read more about our scrap car removal service in Toronto.