Process California junk certificates and non-repairable vehicle titles at San Diego Auto Registration. If you’re scrapping a vehicle, selling to a dismantler, or disposing of a totaled vehicle, California requires specific DMV paperwork — we handle it same-day. 7176 El Cajon Blvd. Call (619) 466-6647.
Junk Certificate vs. Non-Repairable Title
- Junk certificate — Issued when a vehicle is sold to a licensed dismantler for parts or scrap. The vehicle cannot be re-registered or driven on public roads again under any circumstances.
- Non-repairable vehicle certificate — Issued when a vehicle is too damaged to be safely repaired. The vehicle can only be used for parts or scrap.
- Salvage certificate — Different category: issued when a vehicle is a total loss but may be repairable. See our salvage vehicle page for details.
What You Need for a Junk Transaction
- California Certificate of Title (signed, if available)
- License plates (both plates must be surrendered)
- Registration card
- Valid photo ID
- Dismantler’s acquisition report (if applicable)
Why File a Junk Transaction?
Filing a junk or non-repairable certificate releases you from future liability for the vehicle. Without it, you could remain legally responsible for tickets, violations, or environmental issues tied to the vehicle after you gave it up. Always complete the DMV paperwork when scrapping a vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
I already scrapped my car but never filed with DMV. What now?
Come in as soon as possible. We can file a late junk certificate and file a Release of Liability to cut off your exposure from this point forward. Any tickets issued between the scrap date and the filing date may still be your responsibility — we’ll discuss options.
Can a non-repairable vehicle be re-registered?
No. Once a vehicle is marked non-repairable, it can never be registered for road use again in California. It can only be dismantled for parts.
Need to File a Junk Transaction?
Walk in at 7176 El Cajon Blvd • (619) 466-6647