To junk a car in Georgia, you need the certificate of title signed over to the buyer. Georgia has a useful exception: vehicles from 1985 or older don't require a title at all. For vehicles 12+ years old worth $850 or less, Form MV-1SP streamlines the process. Atlanta yards pay $200-$1,000+ for complete vehicles, with strong competition along the I-285 corridor keeping prices competitive.
Georgia paperwork requirements
Georgia junk car checklist
- Certificate of Title: Signed over to the buyer. Georgia does not require notarization for standard vehicle transfers.
- Valid photo ID: Georgia driver's license or state-issued ID.
- License plates: Remove before sale. Surrender to your County Tag Office or transfer to another vehicle.
- Exception — 1985 and older: Title exempt in Georgia. A bill of sale is sufficient.
- Exception — MV-1SP: For vehicles 12+ years old valued at $850 or less, this form cancels the title for scrap purposes.
How much do Georgia junkyards pay in 2026?
| Vehicle Type | Atlanta Metro | Rural GA | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact car | $200 – $450 | $150 – $350 | Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra |
| Mid-size sedan | $300 – $650 | $200 – $500 | Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata |
| SUV / crossover | $400 – $850 | $300 – $700 | Ford Explorer, Chevy Equinox, Jeep Cherokee |
| Pickup truck | $500 – $1,000 | $400 – $800 | Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado, Ram 1500 |
| Minivan | $250 – $550 | $200 – $450 | Honda Odyssey, Dodge Grand Caravan |
Georgia's heat advantage: Unlike Rust Belt states, Georgia vehicles have minimal corrosion. Cars that spent their lives in Atlanta, Savannah, or Augusta have clean undercarriages. This makes Georgia yards popular with northern buyers sourcing rust-free body panels and frames, which drives up demand and prices for solid donor vehicles.
Step-by-step: junking your car in Georgia
- Locate your title. Lost? Get a duplicate from Georgia DDS online or at a County Tag Office.
- Get 2-3 quotes. Call local yards plus an online cash-for-cars service.
- Verify the buyer's license. Georgia requires salvage dealers to use Auto Data Direct (ADD) for title cancellations since 2021.
- Remove plates and personal items. Check glovebox, trunk, and under seats.
- Sign over the title and collect payment.
- Cancel insurance the same day.
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Get a Free GA QuoteTitle signed over to the buyer, valid photo ID, and plates removed. Vehicles 1985 and older are title exempt. Vehicles 12+ years old worth $850 or less can use Form MV-1SP.
$200-$1,000+ for complete vehicles. Compact cars $200-$450, sedans $300-$650, trucks $500-$1,000+. I-285 corridor competition keeps metro prices strong.
Only if the vehicle is from 1985 or earlier (title exempt) or qualifies under MV-1SP (12+ years old, $850 or less value). Otherwise, get a duplicate title from the DDS.
