How to Sell Your Car for Cash in Maine
Ask around Maine and almost everyone has a story about a car that did not survive the state. A moose stepping onto a dark road. A decade of salted winters eating through the frame. Frost heaves that bent the suspension, or a nor’easter that dropped a tree branch through the windshield. Cars here age in dog years, and sooner or later many of them end up in a driveway, a backfield or beside the barn.
If you have a vehicle like that, you can sell it. We buy cars, trucks, SUVs and vans across Maine for cash, running or not. We give you an instant cash offer, tow the vehicle away for free and pay you when we collect it. This page also covers two Maine specifics that matter: a state rule about how many unregistered vehicles you can keep on a property, and how title requirements change depending on your vehicle’s model year.
Moose, Deer and Other Maine Ways to Total a Car
Wildlife collisions are a way of life here, and they are expensive. A moose strike can crush a hood, shatter a windshield and bend the frame. A deer at dusk can do less damage, but enough to make repairs uneconomical on an older vehicle.
Other things that finish off Maine vehicles:
- Nor’easters and heavy snow that bury cars and break branches over them
- Ice storms that coat and crush what they land on
- Freeze-thaw cycles that create frost heaves and potholes
- Mud season that swallows tires and wheel bearings on dirt roads
- Coastal salt air that speeds corrosion near the water
- Long rural miles that add mileage faster than most people expect
If your vehicle has been through one of these, tell us what happened. We price it as it stands, and you do not need to repair it first.
Rust: Maine's Slowest, Surest Wrecker
Road salt and brine are the real long-term killers. They creep into rocker panels, floor pans, brake lines and subframes, and the damage often hides until it becomes a safety problem. A vehicle can look decent from the outside and be rotten underneath.
If your vehicle has heavy rust, we still want to hear about it. Rust lowers the price, but a vehicle that is too far gone to repair may still have value for its parts and metal.
Three Cars in the Yard: Maine's Graveyard Rule
Here is the Maine-specific part that surprises many owners. Under state law, an “automobile graveyard” is defined as a yard, field or other outdoor area used to store three or more unregistered or uninspected motor vehicles, or parts of those vehicles. Municipalities regulate these areas, and some local ordinances apply even when the property is not a business.
What this can mean in practice:
- Three or more unregistered vehicles or their parts on a property may fall under your town’s rules
- Some towns require permits, screening or removal
- A warning letter from the town is not unusual
The rules and how strictly they are enforced vary by town, so check with your municipal office if you are unsure. If you have a few old cars or parts vehicles sitting around and want to get ahead of a complaint, selling them is the simplest fix.
Step-by-Step Guide to Sell your Car in Maine
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.
Do You Need a Title? It Depends on the Model Year
Maine treats older vehicles differently, and the rule has been changing. Under a law that took effect in late 2023, the state has been phasing out the title requirement for vehicles that are more than 25 model years old. The cutoff moves forward each year:
- As of 2026, vehicles from model year 2001 or newer need a title
- From the start of 2027, the requirement applies to model year 2002 or newer
In plain terms:
Newer vehicles. You need the title in your name, signed over properly, along with a bill of sale.
Older vehicles past the cutoff. A title is generally not required. Ownership is usually shown with a bill of sale and registration or other proof of ownership.
Not sure which side of the line your vehicle falls on? Tell us the year, make and model, and what papers you have, and we will explain what to expect. Rules change, so confirm the current details with the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
Cities We Serve in Maine
- Auburn
- Augusta
- Bangor
- Bar Harbor
- Bath
- Belfast
- Berwick
- Biddeford
- Blue Hill
- Boothbay
- Boothbay Harbor
- Brewer
- Bridgton
- Brunswick
- Bucksport
- Calais
- Camden
- Cape Elizabeth
- Caribou
- Castine
- China
- Clinton
- Corinna
- Cornish
- Damariscotta
- Dexter
- Dover-Foxcroft
- East Millinocket
- Ellsworth
- Fairfield
- Falmouth
- Farmington
- Fort Fairfield
- Fort Kent
- Freeport
- Fryeburg
- Gardiner
- Gorham
- Gray
- Greene
- Greenville
- Hallowell
- Hampden
- Harpswell
- Houlton
- Jay
- Kennebunk
- Kennebunkport
- Kittery
- Lewiston
- Lincoln
- Lisbon
- Livermore Falls
- Lubec
- Madawaska
- Madison
- Mechanic Falls
- Milford
- Millinocket
- Monmouth
- New Gloucester
- Newport
- Norway
- Oakland
- Old Orchard Beach
- Old Town
- Orono
- Oxford
- Paris
- Patten
- Pittsfield
- Poland
- Portland
- Presque Isle
- Rangeley
- Raymond
- Rockland
- Rumford
- Sabattus
- Saco
- Sanford
- Scarborough
- Skowhegan
- South Berwick
- South Portland
- Stand
How We Work Out Your Price
We do not use a flat rate. We look at:
- Year, make and model
- Mileage and condition
- Whether the engine and transmission work
- Rust, collision or storm damage
- Missing parts
- The value of usable parts and scrap metal
- How easy the vehicle is to reach and load
- The paperwork you have
Send us the details and we will give you a figure based on your actual vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
My town sent me a letter about unregistered vehicles. What should I do?
Review the entire letter, and make sure you know when your response is due. Selling or removing the vehicles usually resolves it. Contact us with the details and we will help you plan a pickup.
What if I only have two unregistered vehicles?
The state’s definition starts at three, but towns can have their own rules, so check with your municipal office. Removing unused vehicles is still a good idea.
Do parts count toward the three?
The state definition includes parts of the vehicles, not just whole cars, so a pile of parts can count. Ask your town for its interpretation.
Does the title cutoff mean I need no paperwork for an old car?
No. You still need proof of ownership, such as a bill of sale and registration. Send us what you have and we will explain what else may be needed.
Can I sell a car that was totaled by a moose or deer?
Yes. Damage lowers the offer, but it does not stop us from making one. Let us know if your insurer is involved.
Can you reach a vehicle on a seasonal camp road?
Often, yes, depending on the season and the surface. Tell us about the road, the ground conditions and how close a truck can get.