How to get rid of a junk car in San Diego County, CA

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

Short answer: In San Diego County, follow the statewide steps: 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. The local scrap-car program (SCRAP) is closed right now. Don't leave a dead car in public view: in the City of San Diego, that's illegal even on private property.

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. San Diego air district programs

SCRAP (Scrap Car Reimbursement Assistance Program): currently closed. The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District says SCRAP paid $1,000 to retire a 1997 or older vehicle, subject to funding, and that the program is closed. Its information line is 1-800-717-7624.

Clean Cars 4 All: open. The district says Clean Cars 4 All gives qualifying low-income San Diego County residents incentive funding to trade in an older car or truck and replace it with a plug-in hybrid, an electric vehicle or other transportation options. Questions: (855) 651-2242. SDAPCD – Passenger vehicle programs · San Diego Clean Cars 4 All

3. Licensed dismantlers and online buyers

For a car that doesn't run, compare offers. 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.

4. Abandoned and inoperable vehicles

City of San Diego. The San Diego Police Department says it's illegal to leave a vehicle, running or not, parked on a public street for more than 72 consecutive hours without driving it at least 1/10 of a mile. It's also illegal to keep an abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperable vehicle on private property in public view. SDPD's Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Unit removes such vehicles from public and private property. Report one through the city's Get It Done app or website. SDPD warns that response times are currently delayed by several weeks. SDPD – Abandoned or inoperable vehicles

Unincorporated San Diego County. County Code Compliance investigates abandoned and inoperable vehicles on private property in unincorporated areas. County of San Diego Code Compliance

Other cities (Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido and so on): call your city's police department.

If it's your own car sitting in public view, retiring, selling or donating it is better than waiting for the city to remove it.

5. 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

Clean Cars 4 All amounts and full eligibility rules. We didn't read the program's full terms. Check sdcc4a.org or call (855) 651-2242.
Whether SCRAP will reopen. The district doesn't give a date.
Who handles abandoned vehicles on public roads in unincorporated areas. We didn't find an official county page for this. Call your local Sheriff's station or the CHP.
Dismantler prices, hours and towing charges. Call ahead.