Sell Your Car and Truck In Illinois Near You
Illinois is a state of extremes when it comes to vehicles. In the big metro areas, cars live on crowded streets, in tight garages and under the constant threat of tickets and tow trucks. In small towns and farmland, they run on long stretches of rural road and sit in barns and sheds. Everywhere, winters are cold, roads are salted, potholes are common and spring storms can bring hail and flooding.
If you have a vehicle you no longer want, we buy cars, trucks, SUVs and vans across Illinois for cash, running or not. Because Illinois has some specific terms and procedures, this page explains them in plain language first, then covers pricing and how the sale works.
Big City, Small Town, Open Farmland
Where your vehicle lives shapes how the sale works.
Crowded urban streets. Street parking, permit zones, low garage ceilings and narrow alleys all affect how a tow truck can reach a vehicle. Tell us if the car is parked on the street, in a shared lot or in a building.
Suburbs. Driveways are usually straightforward, though homeowner association rules sometimes limit how long a vehicle can sit outside.
Rural areas. Long gravel lanes, barns, fields and sheds are common. Tell us about gates, soft ground and how far the vehicle is from a road.
We work throughout the state, and we plan each pickup around the location.
What Illinois Roads and Weather Do to a Vehicle
- Road salt eats into floors, frames, brake lines and fuel lines.
- Freeze and thaw cycles create potholes that bend wheels and wear out suspension parts.
- Lake-effect and heavy snow can bury a parked vehicle for weeks.
- Spring storms Storms in the spring often come with hailstones, gusty winds, and rapid flooding.
- Hot, humid summers shorten battery and tire life.
- Stop-and-go city driving wears brakes, transmissions and engines.
A vehicle that has been through several of these winters may still be worth something. It simply has to be priced fairly.
Illinois Vehicle Terms
The Illinois Secretary of State handles vehicle titles, and a few terms come up often when selling. Here is what they mean.
Certificate of title. The document proving who owns the vehicle. Illinois generally requires it to complete a sale, and everyone listed as an owner needs to sign.
Assignment of title. The section on the back of the title where the seller signs the vehicle over.
Duplicate title.A substitute title if the original was lost, stolen, or damaged . You apply to the Secretary of State, and there is a fee and a waiting period.
Lien release. Proof from a lender that a loan has been paid off. Until it’s provided, the lender keeps a legal claim on the vehicle.
Odometer statement. A mileage disclosure. It is normally part of the title, and it must be accurate.
Seller’s notice of sale. A notice you send to the state after the sale, so your name is no longer tied to the vehicle if something happens to it later.
Salvage certificate. A special kind of title used when a vehicle has been declared a total loss or is being sold for salvage. These vehicles can generally only go to certain licensed businesses.
Junking certificate. A document used when a vehicle is being sold for scrap or junk. It indicates the vehicle is not meant to go back on the road.
Rules, forms and fees change, so confirm the current details with the Illinois Secretary of State before you begin.
Selling for Cash or Junking? Which Applies to You
The route your vehicle takes depends on its condition.
Still worth driving or repairing. It can be sold as a vehicle, and the next owner may register it and put it back on the road.
Worth more in parts. Some vehicles are worth more dismantled than driven. These still need proper paperwork.
Beyond repair. If it is only worth its metal, it may be handled as a junk vehicle, and the paperwork can be different.
You do not need to decide this yourself. Tell us what shape the vehicle is in and we will explain the route that fits.
If the Title Is Missing
Illinois generally requires a title. If yours is lost, apply to the Secretary of State for a duplicate. There is a fee and a mandatory waiting period, so start early. If the title is not in your name, send us what you have and we will explain what you may need.
Step-by-Step Guide to Sell your Car in Illinois?
Get a Quote
Reach out to us through our website or call us to initiate the process.
Share Details
Our team will pose an inquiry about your car's make, model, year, and condition.
Receive an Offer
We'll give a competitive offer on the basis of information you provide.
Accept the Deal
If you choose to accept, we'll handle the paperwork and arrange a pickup at your convenience.
Get Paid
When the deal is closed, you'll receive cash on the spot.
How We Work Out Your Price
We start with what you tell us: age, make, model, mileage, condition and any missing parts. We compare that with what similar vehicles sell for. If a vehicle is beyond repair, we consider what its parts and metal are worth.
Where the vehicle is located also matters, since a city street pickup and a rural lane pickup involve different logistics. The more accurate your description, the more likely the price holds on pickup day.
Three Steps to Cash
- Send us the details. Use the form or call us.
- Review your offer. It’s entirely up to you whether to say yes or no.
- Choose a time. Our driver checks the vehicle against your description, completes the paperwork with you and pays you when it is loaded. The tow is on us.
Cities We Serve in Illinois
- Chicago
- Aurora
- Naperville
- Joliet
- Rockford
- Springfield
- Elgin
- Peoria
- Waukegan
- Cicero
- Bloomington
- Evanston
- Arlington Heights
- Bolingbrook
- Schaumburg
- Des Plaines
- Orland Park
- Tinley Park
- Oak Lawn
- Downers Grove
- Belleville
- Normal
- Wheaton
- Skokie
- Buffalo Grove
- Mount Prospect
- Carpentersville
- Crystal Lake
- Bartlett
- Glenview
- Quincy
- DeKalb
- Hoffman Estates
- Streamwood
- Carbondale
- Romeoville
- Park Ridge
- Hanover Park
- Elmhurst
- Woodridge
- Hoffman Estates
- Lake Forest
- River Forest
- Carthage
- Deerfield
- Lincolnshire
- Wheeling
- Glen Ellyn
- Highland Park
- Northbrook
- Oak Brook
- Oakbrook Terrace
- Glendale Heights
- Barrington
- Palatine
- Elk Grove Village
- Palos Hills
- Rolling Meadows
- Lincolnwood
- Northbrook
- Oak Lawn
- Park Forest
- Midlothian
- Huntley
- Algonquin
- Grayslake
- Winfield
- Schaumburg
- Lake Zurich
- Barrington Hills
- Bloomingdale
- Glen Dale
- Glen Ellyn
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a junking certificate, and what does it do?
It is a document used when a vehicle is sold as junk or scrap. Whether it applies depends on the vehicle and how it will be handled. Tell us the condition and we will explain what fits.
My car has unpaid parking or camera tickets. Does that matter?
Tickets belong to the registered owner, so they do not stop a sale. It is still worth sorting them out, and filing your notice of sale promptly helps make sure later tickets do not land on you.
My vehicle is parked on a public street with no driveway. Can you collect it?
Usually yes. Tell us the street, any permit or time restrictions and how tight the space is, so we can plan the tow.
A car has been left on my property and I do not own it. Can I sell it to you?
No. Selling a vehicle requires proof of ownership. If a vehicle was abandoned on your land, local abandoned vehicle procedures apply, and your local authorities can tell you what they are.
I lease my vehicle. Can I sell it?
Not unless you own it. A leased vehicle belongs to the leasing company, so you would need to work with them.
The odometer is broken. Can I still sell?
Yes, but the mileage disclosure has to be accurate, so tell us what you know and we will explain how it is handled.
The VIN plate is rusted or hard to read. Is that a problem?
It can complicate things, since the vehicle has to match its paperwork. Tell us what you can see and we will advise.
When should I cancel my insurance?
After the vehicle has been collected and the paperwork is complete, not before.
Ask for Your Illinois Cash Offer
A vehicle that is tying up a parking space or collecting salt and snow is not getting more valuable. Send us the details and see what it is worth.