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A clear start-to-finish process
How It Works: Sell Your Car for Cash in Calgary
Selling a car you don't want shouldn't take weeks. With us, it usually takes one phone call and one short visit. This page walks through every step, so nothing on pickup day comes as a surprise.
If you want to sell your car for cash in Calgary, here's the whole process from start to finish. We'll also cover the tricky cases. Think of a lost registration, a loan on the car or a vehicle from an estate.
A short visit, with no surprises.Paperwork and payment happen before the vehicle is loaded.
Firm offer Free tow Clear paperwork
One call. One offer. One pickup.
Get a firm offer
Your number is based on the vehicle information you provide.
Book your pickup
Choose a time that suits you and your location.
Sign, get paid and wave goodbye
Payment comes before loading, and the tow is free.
Now let's look at each part more closely.
Tell Us About the Vehicle
The better your description, the more accurate your offer. Before you call, take two minutes to gather these details:
Year, make and model. The registration has all three.
Kilometres. A rough number is fine if the odometer doesn't light up.
Does it start? Does it drive? Be honest. A car that starts but won't move is still worth telling us about.
Damage. Mention hail, rust, collision damage and broken glass.
Missing parts. Tell us if the battery, wheels, engine or converter are gone.
Location. A street address, plus whether it's in a garage, parkade, lane or field.
Photos help, but they're not required. If the car is buried in snow, a description works just as well.
A real number, not a range
Get Your Firm Offer
We use your details to work out a price. Then we give you one number, not a range. That number stays the same at pickup, as long as the vehicle matches what you told us.
What sets the price? Mostly four things. Can the car be repaired and resold? Which parts still have buyers? How much metal does it hold? And is the catalytic converter still on? Market prices for metal and parts move over time, so we'll tell you how long the offer stands.
You don't have to decide on the call. Take the number, think it over, and call back when you're ready.
Book Your Pickup
Once you accept, we set a time. Within city limits, we can often collect the car the same day or the next. For towns outside the city, we'll confirm a pickup time when you call. Our free towing covers every vehicle we buy, and its cost never comes out of your offer.
To make the visit smooth, prepare the site a little:
Clear a path. Move other vehicles, bikes or bins out of the way.
Think about height. Some parkades have low ceilings. Tell us the clearance if you know it.
Open gates. On acreages, unlock gates and mark soft ground.
Dig it out. In winter, shovel around the tires if you can.
Empty it. Sunglasses, garage remotes and paperwork are easy to forget, so look in every pocket and compartment.
Payment before loading
Sign, Get Paid and Hand Over the Keys
When the driver arrives, they'll check that the car matches your description. Then the registered owner shows government photo ID and signs the bill of sale. You get paid before the car is loaded. You keep a copy of the paperwork.
Take your licence plate off before the truck leaves. In Alberta, plates belong to the person, not the vehicle. You can move the plate to another vehicle or return it at a registry agent.
Timeline: Selling to Us vs Selling Privately
StageSelling to usSelling privately
Getting a priceOne phone callResearch, listing, waiting for messages
Showing the carOne short visitSeveral viewings and test drives
NegotiatingNone, the offer is firmLowball offers and haggling
Non-running carTowed freeMost buyers won't look
PaymentBefore the car leavesRisk of fake transfers or bad cheques
Typical timeOften a day or two in the cityDays to weeks
Private sales can bring more money for a newer car that runs well. For older, damaged or dead vehicles, the trade-off usually favours a quick, firm sale.
Special Situations, Step by Step
Not every sale is simple. Here's how to handle the common snags.
Lost registration
Visit any Alberta registry agent with your ID. They can look up the vehicle and give you a copy. Call us first, though. In many cases, we can still plan the sale while you sort it out.
There's still a loan on the car
A lender with a lien has a claim on the vehicle. Call your lender for a payout amount. The loan needs to be cleared before the sale can close. We'll explain how the timing works when you call.
The owner has passed away
The executor of the estate can usually sell the vehicle. Have the paperwork that names you as executor, plus your photo ID. If there's no executor yet, talk to a lawyer or registry agent first.
The car belongs to a company
The person signing needs the authority to sell company assets. The bill of sale goes in the company's name. Take off decals and cancel any fuel cards or trackers tied to that unit.
The car came from another province
If it was never registered in Alberta, bring your out-of-province registration and ID. Many of these cars fail the Alberta out-of-province inspection, and that's fine with us.
The car was written off by insurance
If your insurer paid out and you kept the vehicle, check its status first. A salvage vehicle can still be sold to us. Just tell us its status when you call.
Mistakes to Avoid Before You Sell
A few common moves can cost you money or slow things down. If you're unsure about any of these, ask us before you do anything. A quick question can save a costly mistake.
Pulling parts first. Selling the battery or wheels separately often lowers the offer more than you earn.
Removing the converter. It's a big part of the value, and a car without one is worth much less.
Paying for repairs. A new battery or alternator rarely raises the offer by its cost.
Cancelling insurance too early. Keep coverage until the car is gone, especially if it's parked on the street.
Forgetting the second key. It doesn't change the price, but the next owner will thank you.
After the Sale: Your Checklist
The car's gone. A few quick tasks protect you from here:
Registration. Cancel or transfer it at a registry agent.
Insurance. Phone your insurance company right away, and ask whether any unused premium comes back to you.
Parking apps. Remove the plate from any parking or payment apps you use.
Records. Keep your bill of sale for at least a year.
Plate. Store it, move it to another vehicle or hand it in at a registry agent.
Built to remove the usual risks
Why Our Process Works This Way
Every step has a reason. A firm offer saves you from a driveway price cut. Free towing means a dead car isn't a problem. Payment before loading means you never chase money. And a proper bill of sale means the car is legally out of your hands. That's what it takes to sell your car for cash in Calgary without the usual risks.
Want to know what kinds of vehicles we take? See our junk car removal page, or read our FAQ for quick answers.
Ready to Start?
Call (403) 688-7302 with your vehicle details, or send them through our contact page. Prefer to compare first? Our main cash for cars Calgary page explains how we compare with other ways to sell.