Washington State Guide · Selling Checklist

What to Do Before Selling Your Junk Car in Washington: 9-Step Checklist [2026]

By TOWWOOctober 22, 20267 min read

Quick Answer

Before you sell a junk car in Washington: find the title, note the car's condition with a few photos, clean out personal items and wipe your phone data, update your Good To Go! account, and remove your license plates. On pickup day, sign the title and get paid — then file the Report of Sale within 5 days and cancel your insurance. You don't need to drain fluids, fix anything or move the car.

Selling a junk car is simple, but a few small steps decide whether it stays simple. Miss one and you can end up with a toll bill for a car you no longer own, a delayed pickup because the title is missing, or a garage code left in a car at the scrapyard.

This checklist covers everything to do before, during and after pickup when you sell a junk car in Washington State — based on Washington DOL rules and what we see on real pickups around the Puget Sound area.

5 days

to file your Report of Sale with Washington DOL

$39.50

for a replacement title if yours is lost ($89.50 same-day Quick Title)

repairs needed — leave the car as it is

1. Find your title and check the names

TOWWO needs a valid Washington title in your name — clean, salvage-branded or rebuilt. Look at the front: every owner listed there signs as seller.

Lost it? Order a replacement from DOL with the Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest: $39.50, mailed in about 4–6 weeks, or same day at a Quick Title office for $89.50. See how to get a duplicate title.
Still a loan on it? The lender has to release the lien first — see selling a car with a lien.
Two names? Plan on both owners signing. More in two names on the title.

2. Write down the details for an accurate offer

Your offer is based on what you tell us, so a few honest details save time on pickup day.

Year, make, model and approximate mileage
Does it start and drive? Any warning lights?
Body damage and missing parts (catalytic converter, wheels, battery)
Title type: clean, salvage-branded or rebuilt
3–4 photos: front, back, each side and the interior

If the car turns out different at pickup, the driver explains what changed and gives you an updated offer before anything is towed — you can still say no.

3. Clean out personal items

Check the spots people forget: glovebox, center console, door pockets, trunk and under the spare tire, under the seats, sun visors and the garage-door remote. DOL specifically says to remove anything with your name, address or photo — including the registration and your insurance card.

4. Unpair your phone and wipe the car's memory

Newer cars store contacts, call history, saved addresses and garage codes. Delete your phone from Bluetooth, clear navigation history and reset any built-in garage buttons. If the car has a connected-car app or subscription, remove the car from your account.

5. Take care of your Good To Go! pass

Take the toll pass sticker or transponder off if you can, and update your Good To Go! account so the car is no longer on it. If a toll shows up after the sale, WSDOT lets you dispute it — but only with your Report of Sale and its DOL confirmation number.

6. Remove your license plates

Washington DOL says the seller is legally required to remove the plates before the car leaves. It protects you from towing charges, parking and camera tickets, and toll bills. You can move the plates to another vehicle of the same type (car to car, truck to truck) or turn them in at a vehicle licensing office.

7. Leave the car as it is

Don't drain fluids, pull the battery or sell off parts. Buyers price a complete car, and a stripped one usually loses more value than the parts were worth. Just make sure the tow truck can reach it — mention a tight garage, steep driveway or gated lot when you schedule.

8. On pickup day: sign the title and get paid

Have your title and a photo ID ready. The driver checks the car, you sign the seller section of the title, and you're paid by cash or check before the car is towed. Towing is free when TOWWO buys the car.

9. File the Report of Sale the same day

This is the step that protects you. DOL says to file a Report of Sale within 5 days of the sale; RCW 46.12.650 is the law behind it. File online at dol.wa.gov (no login needed) — DOL lists an $18 fee if you file by mail or in person.

You'll need the plate number, VIN, sale date, sale price and the buyer's name and address. Keep a copy of the report, the bill of sale and a photo of the signed title. Full walkthrough: Washington Report of Sale.

Then: cancel or move your insurance, and remove the car from your License Express account.

Checklist done? Get your cash offer

Tell us the year, make, model and condition — it takes about a minute. Free towing when we buy your car, paid at pickup. Serving Seattle, Tacoma and the Puget Sound area.

Get My Cash Offer →

Or call (425) 800-6828

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to remove my license plates before a junk car is towed in Washington?

Yes. Washington DOL says the seller must remove the plates. You can move them to another vehicle of the same type, such as car to car, or turn them in at a vehicle licensing office. The buyer can't use them.

When do I file the Report of Sale?

DOL says to file it within 5 days of the sale. You can file online at dol.wa.gov without logging in; DOL lists an $18 fee if you file by mail or in person. You need the plate number, VIN, sale date, sale price and the buyer's name and address.

Should I cancel my car insurance before or after the sale?

After. Keep coverage until the car has been picked up and you've filed the Report of Sale, then call your insurer to cancel or move the policy to another vehicle.

Can I sell a junk car in Washington without the title?

TOWWO needs a valid title in your name — clean, salvage-branded or rebuilt. If yours is lost, order a replacement from DOL first: $39.50 and about 4–6 weeks by mail, or same day at a Quick Title office for $89.50.

Do I need to drain fluids or remove the battery?

No. Leave the car as it is — fluids, battery, wheels and parts included. A complete car is worth more, and removing parts can lower your offer.

What happens if I get a toll bill after I sold the car?

Good To Go! lets you dispute a toll from after the sale, but you need your Report of Sale with its DOL confirmation number. That's one more reason to file it the day of pickup.

Sources

Related Guides

Selling in the Puget Sound? See how it works in Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, Everett and Kent.

About This Article

Written by the TOWWO team based on Washington DOL guidance and our recent pickups in the Puget Sound area. Fees and deadlines were checked against official sources on October 22, 2026.