How to get rid of a junk car in Los Angeles County, CA

Researched 2026-10-31 from official sources. Programs change, so confirm with the program before you go.

Short answer: The statewide steps apply in Los Angeles County: sort out the title, check whether you qualify for the state's $1,350–$2,000 retirement payment, sell to a DMV-licensed dismantler or donate, and file a release of liability with the DMV within 5 days. LA County residents also have two South Coast AQMD programs for cars that still run.

Start with the statewide steps: How to get rid of a junk car in California (title, lost title, NRL, BAR retirement amounts and income limits, donating, online buyers, salvage certificates).

1. State retirement payment (BAR CAP)

The Bureau of Automotive Repair pays $1,350, or $1,500 / $2,000 if your household is income-eligible, to retire a car that still drives at a BAR-contracted dismantler. You must be approved before you retire the car. See the full eligibility rules. BAR – Retire my vehicle

2. South Coast AQMD Old-Vehicle Scrapping Program (Rule 1610)

BAR lists this as the retirement option for the Greater Los Angeles area. South Coast AQMD licenses private "scrappers" to buy older, running cars. The scrapper sets the price based on the model year. AQMD says vehicles are generally accepted up to model year 1993, and newer ones will likely get only a few hundred dollars.

Your car must, among other things:

have been continuously registered as an operable vehicle to an address inside South Coast AQMD for at least 24 months
be driven to the buyback location under its own power and drive 25 feet forward and in reverse
start with its key (no starting fluid or jump start)
have its doors, hood, dashboard, windshield, driver's seat, exhaust, one bumper, side panels and lights in place
comply with Smog Check requirements

AQMD's page lists the licensed scrappers to contact. Call them for buyback times, locations and paperwork. South Coast AQMD – Old-Vehicle Scrapping

3. Replace Your Ride (retire and replace)

South Coast AQMD's Replace Your Ride helps income-eligible households (at or below 300% of the federal poverty level) retire an older car and replace it with a plug-in hybrid, battery-electric or fuel-cell vehicle from a participating dealer. The car you retire must be model year 2010 or older, gasoline or diesel, operable, titled in your name for at least 24 months with no lienholder, and have a smog or operational test from the last 90 days. AQMD says the program covers all of Orange County and the urban parts of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Help line: (844) 797-2223. Replace Your Ride – Eligibility

4. Licensed dismantlers and online buyers

For a car that doesn't run, compare offers from licensed dismantlers and online car buyers. Check any dismantler on the DMV's Occupational License Lookup (category Dismantler, then search by city or ZIP). Prices and towing charges aren't published by any official source, so call ahead.

5. Abandoned or broken-down cars on the street

City of Los Angeles. LADOT takes abandoned-vehicle reports Monday–Friday, 8 am–5 pm at (800) 222-6366, or online. Have the location (address or cross street and ZIP), license plate, make and color ready. An LADOT traffic officer responds, and if the car is found to be abandoned it's processed for enforcement. You can also file through MyLA311. LADOT – FAQ

Unincorporated LA County. LA County Public Works says parking violations are handled by the LA County Sheriff's Department: call your local sheriff's station to report a vehicle. LA County Public Works – FAQ

Other cities (Long Beach, Pasadena, Glendale and so on): call your city's police department or 311 line.

Leaving your own junk car on the street isn't a way to get rid of it: LADOT processes abandoned vehicles for enforcement. Sell, donate or retire it instead.

6. Don't forget the release of liability

After you hand over the car, file a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability with the DMV within 5 days. DMV – NRL

What we couldn't verify

Antelope Valley program. BAR lists the Old Car Buy Back and Scrap Program for the Antelope Valley, but its site didn't respond when we checked. Ask BAR at (866) 272-9642.
Replace Your Ride incentive amounts. They depend on income level and the replacement you choose. Check the program site or call ahead.
AQMD scrapper prices and hours. They're set by each scrapper. Call ahead.
Citation, tow and storage charges for abandoned vehicles. They vary by city and tow yard. Call ahead.