Most junk car pickups at Junk Car Scrappers Detroit take 10 to 15 minutes from the moment our flatbed pulls up to the moment we drive away. This is exactly what happens in those minutes, what you need to do, what could change the offer, and what we handle after the car is gone. No surprises. For the full selling process from first call to cash in hand, see how to sell a junk car. This page covers the pickup step in detail.

The 5 steps, in order

Each step is brief. The whole sequence runs about 12 minutes on a normal pickup. Steps 1 through 4 happen before the car moves an inch.

1. Our flatbed arrives in your window

The driver pulls up during the pickup window we scheduled (usually a 2-hour window, like 1 to 3 PM). They confirm your name, the vehicle's location, and any access constraints you mentioned at booking. If the car is in a garage, behind another vehicle, or on private property needing owner permission, this is when we work out access.

2. Quick vehicle inspection

The driver walks the car once: confirms the catalytic converter is still attached, checks the VIN on the dash plate against your title, and confirms the overall condition matches what you described on the phone. This takes 1 to 2 minutes. If everything matches, the offer is final. If something is materially different, we re-quote on the spot (more on that below).

3. Title and ID verification

The driver asks for your Michigan title (or approved substitute) and your photo ID. They check that your name matches the title, the VIN on the title matches the car, and that the title is signed in the right places. For inheritance sales, Power of Attorney sales, or no-title scrap sales, the driver verifies the substitute paperwork instead. This takes 2 to 3 minutes on a clean-title sale.

4. Cash, in your hand, before loading

Once the paperwork checks out, the driver hands you the full agreed cash amount, in person. Before the car is loaded onto the flatbed. This is deliberate. You have the money in your hand before the car physically leaves your property. No checks, no wire transfers, no "we'll settle up later." This is the moment of the sale.

5. You sign the title, we load the car

You sign the title over to Junk Car Scrappers Detroit. The driver winches the car onto the flatbed if it doesn't run, or drives it on if it does. Loading takes 3 to 5 minutes for a running car, 5 to 10 minutes for a non-runner that needs to be dragged on. Then we drive away. The car is gone, you have the cash, the title is signed.

What you need to do at pickup

Your part of the sequence is short. The driver runs the rest.

  • Be on-site, or have an authorized adult on-site, when the driver arrives.
  • Have your photo ID and the Michigan title (or substitute paperwork) ready.
  • Show the driver where the car is. Confirm any access details.
  • Sign the title in the marked spots when the driver hands it to you.
  • Accept the cash before the loading begins.

Things that can change the timeline

A normal pickup runs 10 to 15 minutes. These are the things that push it longer.

  • Paperwork cross-checks. Inheritance sales (TR-29), Power of Attorney sales (TR-128), or salvage titles add 5 to 10 minutes for verification.
  • Vehicle access issues. A car blocked by other vehicles, behind a closed garage door, or in deep mud can add rigging or maneuvering time.
  • Joint title with two owners. Both owners need to sign at pickup, or one needs a Power of Attorney from the other.
  • Materially different vehicle condition. If the car is significantly different from what you described, the re-quote conversation adds a few minutes.

When the offer can change at pickup, and when it can't

The offer is firm unless the car is materially different from how you described it on the phone. The line is honest, and we hold to it in both directions.

Examples that legitimately trigger a re-quote:

  • The catalytic converter was attached when you called, but it has been cut off since.
  • You described the engine as "runs," but it doesn't crank at all.
  • Major collision damage, flood damage, or fire damage you didn't mention.
  • The vehicle is a completely different year, model, or trim from what you quoted.

Examples that do NOT trigger a re-quote:

  • The car is dirtier than the photo suggested.
  • One or two tires are flat.
  • Interior trim or seats are missing.
  • The car is harder to access than you mentioned (we still get it).

If a driver tries to lower the offer for non-material reasons, you can decline the sale. No obligation, no trip fee. Junk Car Scrappers Detroit honors the phone offer when the car matches the phone description. That's the rule we work by.

After we drive away

We file the Michigan title transfer with the Secretary of State on our end. You don't need to make a trip to the SOS for the sale itself. The transfer becomes official in the state record within 7 to 14 days. Two things you handle on your side:

  • Your Michigan license plate. Plates stay with the owner in Michigan, not the vehicle. Transfer the plate to a new car at the SOS, or return it for a partial refund of unused registration.
  • Your insurance. Cancel the policy on the car, or remove the vehicle from your policy. Most insurers refund the unused premium prorated. Call them the same day as pickup.

For more on the paperwork side, see what you need to sell a junk car in Michigan. For the full timing breakdown before pickup, see how long it takes to sell a junk car in Detroit.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the actual on-site time?

10 to 15 minutes for most pickups. Complex paperwork or access issues can push it to 20 to 25 minutes. Anything longer than that is unusual and usually means a paperwork problem the seller needs to handle before the sale can complete.

What if I'm not home when the driver arrives?

The pickup is rescheduled. We don't complete a sale without the seller (or an authorized adult with valid Power of Attorney) on-site to sign the title and accept the cash. Call us before the pickup window if you need to reschedule.

Can someone else accept the cash and sign the title for me?

Yes, with a notarized Michigan Power of Attorney (Form TR-128) signed by you authorizing them. Bring the signed form and their photo ID at pickup. We pay the cash to the authorized person, who signs the title transfer on your behalf.

What if the car shows up differently than I described?

The driver re-quotes on the spot based on what's actually there. You can accept the new offer and complete the sale, or decline with no obligation and no trip fee. Most re-quotes come down to a missing catalytic converter or a more severely damaged vehicle than the phone description.

Do I need to watch the car get loaded?

No. You need to be present for the title signing and the cash hand-off. After that, you can go back inside while the driver loads the vehicle. Loading takes 3 to 10 minutes and is the driver's job, not yours.