Most people selling an old car only do it once or twice in their lives, so it’s fair not to know what happens between “I should get rid of this” and an empty driveway. This guide walks through scrap car removal in Ajax in the order it actually happens: the first call, the quote, booking, pickup day and the few things you do afterwards. It applies whether the car is in Pickering Beach, Northwest Ajax, Southwood or anywhere else in town. For the service overview, see our scrap car removal Ajax page.
Canadian Auto Wreckers is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and has been buying scrap, junk and unwanted vehicles since 1981. Ready to start at step one? Call 416-559-3683 or fill in our online quote form.
CAW Team, Canadian Auto Wreckers
Key takeaways
- The process has five stages: first call, quote, booking, pickup and after pickup.
- The quote is based on your description, so accuracy is what keeps it from changing.
- Towing is free and built into the quote.
- On pickup day you sign the vehicle portion of the ownership and keep your plates.
- Afterwards, deal with your plates and insurance. ServiceOntario keeps the vehicle record.
The process at a glance
| Step | What you do | What we do |
|---|---|---|
| 1. First call or form | Describe the car and where it is | Ask a few follow-up questions |
| 2. Quote | Decide whether it works for you | Give a quote with towing included |
| 3. Booking | Pick a time, sort out access | Schedule a truck that suits the spot |
| 4. Pickup day | Sign ownership, remove plates | Check the car, pay, tow it away |
| 5. After pickup | Plates, insurance, records | Recycle the car responsibly |
Step 1: What happens on the first call?
You tell us about the car, and we ask questions to fill in the gaps. Expect to be asked for the year, make and model, rough kilometres, whether it runs, what’s wrong with it, whether anything major is missing, whose name is on the ownership, and where in Ajax it’s parked. If you’d rather not talk on the phone, the online quote form asks for the same things.
A situation we often see is someone calling about a car that’s been parked since a repair estimate came back too high, and they’re not sure if it’s worth anything at all. That’s a perfectly good reason to call. Our post on when scrap car removal makes sense in Ajax helps if you’re still on the fence.
Step 2: How does the quote work?
The quote is based on what you’ve described. The main things that affect it are the vehicle’s weight and type, its condition, which parts are still on it (the catalytic converter in particular), and current scrap metal markets. We don’t publish dollar figures because no two cars are the same. Towing is free and already in the quote, so there’s no separate charge to move the car.
You’re not committed by asking. If the quote works for you, we move to booking.
Step 3: What do I need to sort out when booking?
- Timing. We’re open Monday to Saturday 9 AM to 7 PM and Sunday 9 AM to 5 PM. Pick a window when the person signing can be there.
- Access. Tell us about narrow driveways, cars parked in front, gates, or underground parking. If you’re in a townhouse complex or condo, check with management about tow trucks on the property.
- Paperwork. Find the ownership (vehicle permit). If it’s in someone else’s name, or there’s a loan on the car, sort that out now rather than on the day.
- Notices. If the Town or your property manager has already sent a notice about the car, mention it so we can work around the deadline. Our post on inoperable car bylaw and condo notices in Ajax explains those notices.
Step 4: What happens on pickup day?
- Empty the car of personal items, including the glovebox, trunk, toll transponder and garage opener.
- Take the licence plates off. In Ontario, they belong to you, not the car.
- When the driver arrives, they check that the car matches what you described.
- You sign the vehicle portion of the ownership and keep the plate portion.
- You’re paid, and the car is loaded and towed away.
If the car doesn’t run, has flat tires or is missing keys, that’s fine as long as we knew beforehand. For a fuller picture of the day, see what to expect on scrap car pickup day.
Step 5: What do I do after pickup?
- Plates: keep them for your next vehicle or return them at a ServiceOntario centre.
- Insurance: call your insurer to cancel the policy or move it to another vehicle.
- Records: keep the plate portion of the permit and any paperwork from the sale.
- The car: it’s recycled responsibly, as Ontario law requires. Fluids are drained, usable parts are recovered, and the metal is recycled.
Our Ontario paperwork, plates and insurance guide has more detail on each of these.
Frequently asked questions
How long does scrap car removal in Ajax take from the first call?
It depends on your availability, access and paperwork. Having the ownership ready and access sorted is the quickest way to get booked.
Do I pay for towing in Ajax?
No. Towing is free and included in the quote you accept.
What if my car was written off by insurance?
We can still pick it up once the ownership situation is clear. See our post on insurance write-offs and total losses in Ajax for the details.
Do you serve the rest of Durham and Toronto too?
Yes. We serve Toronto, Scarborough, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Clarington, Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes.
Start with step one
The first step is the easiest: tell us about the car. Call 416-559-3683 or use the online quote form, and we’ll give you a clear quote with free towing included. You can also visit our scrap car removal Ajax page, read about insurance write-offs in Ajax, or see our scrap car removal in Toronto service.