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Tennessee

Selling a junk car in Tennessee

Tennessee goes by age. A car 12 years or older, sold for parts or scrap, can go to a dismantler or recycler without the title.

You sign a statement, give a thumbprint and let the yard copy your photo ID. Anything newer needs the title signed over, so get a duplicate from your county clerk first if yours is gone.

There is no notice of sale to file in Tennessee. Take your plate with you, because it follows you and not the car.

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The title

Tennessee yards need a signed title unless the car is 12 years or older and sold for parts or scrap. Then a signed statement, a thumbprint and a copy of your photo ID stand in.

  • Vehicle 12 years or older sold only for parts, dismantling or scrap (Tennessee Code Annotated Section 55-3-203(b)): the buyer may complete the purchase without the title if it records the vehicle description and VIN (if practicable), the amount paid, the license plate of the vehicle hauling the car, a copy of your driver license or other government photo ID, your name, address and right thumbprint, and your signed statement that you have the right to sell, that there is no lien, that the vehicle will never be titled again and will be dismantled or destroyed, and that giving false information can bring criminal charges and restitution.The statute names no state form for this statement. The buyer must report the vehicle to the Department of Revenue within 24 hours (not counting weekends and legal holidays) and must wait 3 business days, counting the purchase date, before dismantling, crushing or shredding it. If you cannot give the title or this information, the sale cannot be completed.
  • Title held by a lienholder: Tennessee lets an owner transfer ownership with a notarized bill of sale that shows the lienholder's name and address instead of signing the title (Tennessee Code Annotated Section 55-3-118 and related sections, as described in the county clerk guide).The yard's own rule in Tennessee Code Annotated Section 55-3-203 calls for a properly endorsed title, so ask the yard before you rely on this, and the lien still has to be paid off.

Bring to the yard

  • Bring your Tennessee certificate of title.Every owner named on the front signs as seller in the first reassignment section on the back. If owners are joined by "and" all of them must sign; if joined by "or" one signature is enough.
  • Do not use white-out or erase anything on the title, because that voids it and you will need a duplicate title.Fix a misspelling by drawing one line through it and writing the correct information; the person who made the error then signs a notarized statement.
  • Notary: Tennessee follows the notary rules of the state that issued the title, so an out-of-state title that requires a notary (for example, a Pennsylvania title) must be notarized.Kentucky titles are accepted without a notary.
  • Odometer: give an odometer disclosure for a model year 2011 or newer vehicle.The Department of Revenue's Odometer Disclosure Statement is form F-1317001. Model year 2010 and older vehicles are exempt.
  • Show a valid state or federal photo ID.A scrap metal dealer must record your name, sex, height, date of birth, address and ID number, plus the license plate, make and model of the vehicle you arrive in. If you have no photo ID, the dealer must photograph you and take your right thumbprint.
  • If your title shows a lienholder, bring the lender's signed lien release: the release portion of the title (or its tear-away portion) signed and dated by the lender, or a release letter on the lender's letterhead with the full VIN.
  • If a lienholder still holds your title, the transfer document is a notarized bill of sale that shows the lienholder's name and address.Tennessee has no general state bill of sale form on the Department of Revenue forms list.
  • If the yard buys a 12-year-or-older car without a title, expect to sign the seller statement, give your right thumbprint and let the yard copy your photo ID.
  • Take your license plate off the car before the yard hauls it away.Tennessee plates follow the owner, not the vehicle.

After the car leaves

StepFormDeadlineFee
There is no notice of sale to file.The Department of Revenue title and registration forms list has no seller notice-of-sale or release-of-liability form.No formNone setNone
Keep the plate and transfer it to your next vehicle at your county clerk's office if you want to.Bring a copy of your current registration when you transfer the plate.No form (county clerk transaction)No deadline stated in the sources$1 transfer fee
If you will not transfer the plate, or the car was sold, towed or scrapped with the plate still on it, ask the Department of Revenue to cancel the plate by emailing the completed cancellation form to VS.CallCenter@tn.gov.Vehicle License Plate Cancellation (VS-09162021)No deadline stated in the sourcesNo fee stated in the sources
Registration ends on its own: when you transfer your title or interest in the car, its registration expires (Tennessee Code Annotated Section 55-4-118(a)).No formExpires at the time of transferNone
Insurance: the official sources reviewed set no deadline for cancelling your policy after the sale.If you drop insurance or have a lapse in coverage, the Department of Revenue may send you a Drive Insured notice, which you answer as described in the next step. You can check a vehicle's insurance status on Drive Insured TN by plate number and VIN.No formNone set by the stateNone
If you get a Drive Insured notice after the sale, go to www.driveinsuredtn.com, choose respond to your notice, and complete the online questionnaire to report that you no longer own the vehicle.Ignoring notices can lead to fines and registration suspension.No form (online questionnaire)No specific deadline stated in the sources; respond to the noticeNo fee to respond is stated; fines can follow if you do not respond
If you dismantle or wreck a registered car yourself instead of selling it, forward the certificate of title to the Department of Revenue.You may keep the plate and registration to transfer to another vehicle (Tennessee Code Annotated Section 55-3-202(a)).No form named in the statuteImmediatelyNone stated

Plates

Tennessee plates follow the owner, not the vehicle, so remove your plate before the yard takes the car. You can transfer the plate to another vehicle at your county clerk's office for $1, or have it cancelled by emailing the Vehicle License Plate Cancellation form (VS-09162021) to VS.CallCenter@tn.gov, which also covers a car that was towed or scrapped with the plate still attached.

Lost title

Apply in person or by mail at your county clerk's office, and bring photo ID if you go in person. Include proof that every lien is discharged. If a lien remains, only the lienholder can request the duplicate, and the title goes to the first lienholder on record. Most titles are mailed within 24 to 48 hours after the transaction is processed. To release a paper-title lien, the lender signs and dates the release on the title or issues a release letter on its letterhead with the full VIN. Tennessee's Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) program is optional for lenders: while a lien exists the state keeps an electronic title record, and when the loan is paid the lender sends an electronic release and gives you an ELT PIN to request a paper title (the Department lists its print portal as coming late summer 2026). If you cannot get the title that way, get a duplicate title from your county clerk.

Multi-purpose, Noting of Lien and Duplicate Title Application (F-1315201). Add a Power of Attorney for Vehicle Transactions (F-1311401) if someone else applies for you., $14 for a duplicate title, plus any county fees, per the Department of Revenue Duplicate Title page. An older Department help article (VT-6, 2022) lists $11, so confirm the amount with your county clerk.

Salvage and totaled

Tennessee Code Annotated Section 55-3-201 defines a salvage vehicle as a passenger motor vehicle (10 model years old or less; light trucks over 9,000 pounds gross vehicle weight are excluded) whose repair cost would exceed 75 percent of its retail value. When an insurer declares a total loss, the original title and registration are void. An insurer that takes ownership after paying the claim must get the salvage, flood or non-repairable certificate. If you keep the car, the insurer must tell you to apply and notify the Department of Revenue, or withhold payment until you apply (Tennessee Code Annotated Section 55-3-209(b)(8)(C)). You apply by mailing the Application for Tennessee Salvage/Non-repairable Certificate (F-1311801) with the original title to the Vehicle Services Division, 500 Deaderick Street, Nashville, TN 37242 (mail only). The official sources reviewed state no filing deadline for the owner.

Title brands: Salvage: a salvage certificate (salvage title) shows ownership of a salvage vehicle. The car cannot be registered or driven, and ownership can be reassigned on the back of the certificate until the car is rebuilt., Non-repairable: a vehicle that cannot be operated safely and has no value except as parts or scrap (including salt water in the passenger compartment), or one the owner designates as parts or scrap. It can never be titled or registered again, and ownership can be reassigned on the certificate only twice before a new certificate is needed., Rebuilt: a former salvage vehicle that passed the state anti-theft inspection after repair. It gets a title branded as rebuilt and can be registered for road use., Flood: a passenger vehicle with substantial water damage. The seller must disclose it at transfer, and the next title is labeled Flood across the front., Methamphetamine Vehicle: a vehicle impounded for methamphetamine manufacture and found contaminated. Its title is labeled Methamphetamine Vehicle..

What the yard has to do

  • Automotive dismantlers and recyclers must hold a license from the Tennessee Motor Vehicle Commission (Tennessee Code Annotated Section 55-17-109), with an established place of business, a sign, a listed phone number and at least $250,000 in general liability insurance.
  • Scrap metal dealers, including anyone who buys used detached catalytic converters, must register with the Department of Commerce and Insurance (Tennessee Code Annotated Section 62-9-102).
  • A dismantler, recycler or scrap metal processor must require a properly endorsed title from the seller, keep the purchase record for 3 years, and may buy a vehicle 12 years or older without a title only with the seller statement, thumbprint, ID copy and other required information (Tennessee Code Annotated Section 55-3-203).
  • Every vehicle bought for parts, dismantling or scrap must be reported to the Department of Revenue through its authorized agent, Auto Data Direct, within 24 hours, not counting weekends or legal holidays.The state checks whether the vehicle is stolen, monitors it for 30 days and reports to NMVTIS for the buyer. Failure to report is a Class A misdemeanor with a minimum $1,000 fine (Tennessee Code Annotated Section 55-3-203).
  • A vehicle bought without a title must be held 3 business days, counting the purchase date, before it is dismantled, crushed or shredded (Tennessee Code Annotated Section 55-3-203).
  • A scrap metal dealer must see a valid state or federal photo ID, record the seller's name, sex, height, date of birth, address and ID number and the plate, make and model of the seller's vehicle, take a photo and right thumbprint if the seller lacks a photo ID, make a reasonably diligent inquiry into the seller's right to sell, and photocopy any bill of sale or receipt the seller offers (Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 62-9-103 and 62-9-104).
  • A scrap metal dealer may not buy from anyone under 18 (Tennessee Code Annotated Section 62-9-104) and must keep transaction records at the site for 3 years, open to inspection by law enforcement without a warrant (Tennessee Code Annotated Section 62-9-105).
  • Payment: most scrap may be paid by any method on site at the time of sale.Copper and unattached catalytic converters sold by an individual must be paid by check or money order mailed to the address on the seller's ID, or by a voucher that cannot be redeemed sooner than 5 days and expires after 6 months (Tennessee Code Annotated Section 62-9-104). A dealer may charge a check fee of 10 percent of the check, at least $2 and no more than $5 (Rule 0780-05-14-.07).
  • Used detached catalytic converters: a dealer may buy one only in person at its fixed site, or while keeping the required ID records plus a copy of the seller's license or documentation and vehicle registration.The dealer must record identifying marks such as paint, labels or engravings, and converters may be shipped only between licensed entities (Tennessee Code Annotated Section 62-9-115).

Catalytic converters

Public Chapter 213 of 2021 (112th General Assembly) added Tennessee Code Annotated Section 62-9-115, effective July 1, 2021. It requires anyone who buys a used detached catalytic converter to be a registered scrap metal dealer, requires businesses that buy or sell unattached converters as single items (not as part of a scrapped vehicle) to notify local police and the sheriff in writing, lets dealers buy only in person at their fixed site or with full ID records plus a copy of the seller's license or documentation and vehicle registration, and limits who may possess or sell a detached converter. A violation is a Class A misdemeanor, each converter is a separate offense and can be seized, and the seller of a stolen converter is liable to the victim for repair or replacement.

What Tennessee yards pay

$160 to $220 a ton

That is what Tennessee yards and price trackers published for whole cars, newest figure Oct 2026. A ton here is 2,000 lb.

CarCurb weightScrap weight estimate
compact car, like a 2010 Honda Civic2,754 lbAbout $220 to $305
midsize sedan, like a 2010 Honda Accord3,269 lbAbout $260 to $360
SUV, like a 2010 Honda Pilot4,319 lbAbout $345 to $475
full-size pickup, like a 2021 Ford F-1504,465 lbAbout $355 to $490

An estimate from weight, not an offer. A yard pays more for a complete car with the converter on it, and takes out towing and missing parts.

  • CFC Recycling, Tullahoma and McMinnville yards: Whole Vehicles $11.00 per 100 lb, Oct 2026
  • CFC Recycling, Tullahoma and McMinnville yards: Incomplete Vehicles $10.00 per 100 lb, Oct 2026
  • Clunqr, a junk car buyer, survey of Tennessee yards: $165 per ton in its state table; $160 to $170 per ton in its calculator, Sep 2026

Per-car claims, kept separate from the range

  • JunkUrCar.com price index of instant offers from its buyer network: Median offer $325; middle half $250 to $425; 1,563 offers from March 2022 to October 2026 (Oct 2026)
  • Clunqr: $165 to $330 for a complete car of 2,000 to 6,000 lb (Sep 2026)

Yards that buy cars

127 yards in Tennessee say they buy cars or hold a license to buy salvage vehicles.

Every Tennessee yard that buys cars

Tennessee yards that buy cars

8 yards
Show only:

  1. Pull-A-Part Memphis

    Hours posted

    2955 Farrisview Blvd., Memphis, TN 38118

    Admission runs $2 here, $1 for VIP Club members, and everyone signs a waiver first.

    • U-pull
    • Gate $2
    • Buys junk cars
    • Inventory online
    • Open Sundays
    • Open Saturdays

  2. Pull-A-Part Nashville

    Hours posted

    7114 Centennial Blvd., Nashville, TN 37209

    • U-pull
    • Gate $2
    • Buys junk cars
    • Inventory online
    • Open Sundays
    • Open Saturdays

  3. Pick Your Part - Chattanooga

    Hours posted

    4.1 (1,009) 400 Workman Road, Chattanooga, TN 37410

    Five dollars and a signed release get you into this LKQ Pick Your Part lot on Workman Road, and the gate opens every day, Sundays included.

    • U-pull
    • Gate $5
    • Buys junk cars
    • Inventory online
    • Open Sundays
    • Open Saturdays

    Reviews mention wheelbarrows, bring your own tools, parts availability

  4. Pick Your Part - Nashville

    Hours posted

    3.8 (796) 2030 Lucas Lane, Nashville, TN 37207

    Leave the jack at home, because every car on this Lucas Lane lot already sits supported for you.

    • U-pull
    • Gate $3
    • Buys junk cars
    • Inventory online
    • Open Sundays
    • Open Saturdays

    Reviews mention wheelbarrows, parts availability, clean yard

  5. Pull-A-Part Knoxville

    Hours posted

    5800 Rutledge Pike, Knoxville, TN 37924

    Two dollars gets you through the gate here, and VIP Club members pay one.

    • U-pull
    • Gate $2
    • Buys junk cars
    • Inventory online
    • Open Sundays
    • Open Saturdays

  6. Pick Your Part - Memphis

    Hours posted

    4.1 (660) 966 West Mitchell Rd., Memphis, TN 38109

    You pay $1 to get in, after signing a release at the gate.

    • U-pull
    • Gate $1
    • Buys junk cars
    • Inventory online
    • Open Sundays
    • Open Saturdays

    Reviews mention parts availability, car selection, warranty

  7. Raceway Pik-A-Part - Savannah, TN

    Hours posted

    4.5 (247) 410 County Home Rd, Savannah, TN 38372

    Sparks are where this U Pull & Save draws the line.

    • U-pull
    • Gate $2
    • Buys junk cars
    • Inventory online
    • Open Sundays
    • Open Saturdays

    Reviews mention used tires, vehicle selection, part availability

  8. 41-A Auto Parts & Sales

    Hours posted

    4.0 (140) 2015 Highway 41A N, Shelbyville, TN 37160

    Running or not, your old car has a buyer on Highway 41A N, according to the yard's Google profile, which says it takes vehicles and all kinds of metal.

    • Salvage yard
    • Buys junk cars
    • Pays cash
    • Open Saturdays

    Reviews mention pricing, product availability, inventory

Questions

Can I sell a junk car without a title in Tennessee?

Yes, if the car is 12 years or older and you sell it only for parts, dismantling or scrap. The yard records the VIN and what it paid, and you sign a statement, give a thumbprint and let the yard copy your photo ID (Tennessee Code Annotated Section 55-3-203). A newer car needs the title.

What do I do with my plate?

Pull it before the car leaves. Tennessee plates follow the owner. Transfer it to another car at your county clerk for $1, or ask the Department of Revenue to cancel it with form VS-09162021.

How do I replace a lost Tennessee title?

File form F-1315201 with your county clerk. The Department of Revenue lists a duplicate title at $14 plus county fees.

Sources, read Oct 27, 2026

  1. Tennessee Code Annotated Section 55-3-203 (FindLaw unofficial copy, current as of January 2, 2024), read 2026-10-27
  2. SALV-1 Salvage or NMVTIS Reporting Requirement Overview (Tennessee Department of Revenue), read 2026-10-27
  3. SALV-2 How to File Report (Tennessee Department of Revenue), read 2026-10-27
  4. SALV-3: Penalty for Failure to Report (Tennessee Department of Revenue), read 2026-10-27
  5. Tennessee Code Annotated Section 55-3-202 (FindLaw unofficial copy, current as of January 2, 2024), read 2026-10-27
  6. Tennessee Code Annotated Section 55-3-201 (FindLaw unofficial copy, current as of January 2, 2024), read 2026-10-27
  7. Transfer of Ownership (Vehicle Services County Clerk Guide), read 2026-10-27
  8. Bill of Sale (Vehicle Services County Clerk Guide), read 2026-10-27
  9. VT-2: TN Complies with Notary & Signature Requirements from Other States (Tennessee Department of Revenue), read 2026-10-27
  10. VTR-42: Error Made on the Assignment of Title When Selling Vehicle (Tennessee Department of Revenue), read 2026-10-27
  11. VT-4: Odometer Disclosure and Exemption (Tennessee Department of Revenue), read 2026-10-27
  12. Title and Registration Forms (Tennessee Department of Revenue), read 2026-10-27
  13. Vehicle License Plate Cancellation (Vehicle Services County Clerk Guide), read 2026-10-27
  14. Surrendering a License Plate (Tennessee Department of Revenue), read 2026-10-27
  15. Titling a Vehicle (Current Residents) (Tennessee Department of Revenue), read 2026-10-27
  16. DIFD-9: No Longer Own Vehicle (Tennessee Department of Revenue), read 2026-10-27
  17. DIFD-17: Lapse in Insurance Coverage (Tennessee Department of Revenue), read 2026-10-27
  18. DIFD-14: Penalty for Not Meeting Financial Responsibility Requirements (Tennessee Department of Revenue), read 2026-10-27
  19. Drive Insured TN (Tennessee Department of Revenue), read 2026-10-27
  20. Duplicate Title (Tennessee Department of Revenue), read 2026-10-27
  21. VT-6: How to Obtain a Duplicate Title (Tennessee Department of Revenue), read 2026-10-27
  22. VTR-4: When Title can be Expected in the Mail (Tennessee Department of Revenue), read 2026-10-27
  23. Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) Program (Tennessee Department of Revenue), read 2026-10-27
  24. How Do I Get My Printed Title? (Tennessee Department of Revenue), read 2026-10-27
  25. LIEN-2: Lien Discharge Requirements and Location to Send Paperwork to Discharge a Lien (Tennessee Department of Revenue), read 2026-10-27
  26. Salvage, Non-repairable and Rebuilt Vehicles (Tennessee Department of Revenue), read 2026-10-27
  27. VTR-19: Steps Taken After a Vehicle has Been "Totaled" (Tennessee Department of Revenue), read 2026-10-27
  28. VTR-20: Driving a "Totaled" Vehicle (Tennessee Department of Revenue), read 2026-10-27
  29. RBLT-3: Insurance Company Must Notify the Owner of a Wrecked Vehicle of Their Obligation to Apply for a Salvage Title or Nonrepairable Vehicle Certificate (Tennessee Department of Revenue), read 2026-10-27
  30. Salvage/Non-Repairable Vehicles (Vehicle Services County Clerk Guide), read 2026-10-27
  31. Title Brands (Vehicle Services County Clerk Guide), read 2026-10-27
  32. Dismantler/Recycler, Tennessee Motor Vehicle Commission (Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance), read 2026-10-27
  33. Catalytic Converter Consumer Protection Law (Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance), read 2026-10-27
  34. New Tennessee Registration Law Aimed at Deterring Theft, Resale of Catalytic Converters (Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, June 8, 2021), read 2026-10-27
  35. Catalytic Converters (Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance Customer Service Center), read 2026-10-27
  36. Records Regarding Seller Transactions (Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance Customer Service Center), read 2026-10-27
  37. FAQs, Scrap Metals (Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance Customer Service Center), read 2026-10-27
  38. Tennessee Code Annotated Section 62-9-104 (FindLaw unofficial copy, current as of January 2, 2024), read 2026-10-27
  39. Abandoned, Immobile or Unattended Vehicles (Tennessee Department of Revenue), read 2026-10-27

Not legal advice

Rules change, and a county tax office can read them its own way. Call the agency or check its site before you sign a title over.

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