You’ve decided to sell your junk car to Square Deal Auto Salvage in Benton Harbor. Excellent choice! Now comes the question: what do you actually need to do to prepare? Should you clean the car? What paperwork matters? Can you leave stuff inside?

This guide walks you through everything you need to know to make your junk car pickup smooth, fast, and hassle-free. Whether your vehicle runs or not, these preparation steps help our team do their job quickly and make sure you get paid the full amount we quoted.

Why Preparing Your Car Matters

It Makes Pickup Faster

When your car is ready for us when we arrive, pickup takes 30 minutes instead of an hour. Our drivers can focus on getting your vehicle loaded instead of searching for the title or asking you about hidden items inside. That means less time for you to spend supervising and more time getting on with your day.

You’ll Feel More in Control

Knowing what to expect and what we need from you removes stress. You’re not scrambling at the last minute or worrying you’ll forget something important. Everything’s handled, organized, and ready to go.

It Protects Your Privacy

Removing personal items from your vehicle before our team arrives means you keep sensitive information secure. Addresses, registration details, and personal belongings stay in your control until pickup day.

Step 1: Gather Your Vehicle Title and Ownership Documents

Why We Need Your Title

Michigan law requires proof of ownership when transferring a vehicle. This protects both you and us. Your title proves you actually own the car and have the right to sell it to Square Deal Auto Salvage.

What If You’ve Lost Your Title?

No problem. Michigan residents can contact us online for guidance, or you can request a duplicate title from the Michigan Secretary of State. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Your driver’s license or ID
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)—you’ll find this on your dashboard or in your paperwork
• A small fee (typically $20-30)

You can apply for a duplicate title at any Secretary of State office in Benton Harbor or Berrien County, or apply online through Michigan’s official website. Most duplicate titles arrive within 2-3 weeks. If you need your car removed faster, call us at 269-925-0054 to discuss your specific situation.

Additional Paperwork to Gather

While the title is the most important document, having these handy is helpful:

• Original purchase documents
• Service records (optional, but shows the car’s history)
• Loan payoff information (if you’re still paying on the vehicle)

Step 2: Remove All Personal Items from Inside Your Vehicle

Go Through Every Compartment

Don’t just clear the obvious spots. Junk cars often have forgotten treasures tucked away:

• Glove compartment: Insurance cards, registration, receipts, USB drives, chargers
• Under seats: Loose coins, tools, phone chargers, forgotten wallets
• Door pockets: Papers, trash, water bottles, parking passes
• Trunk: Emergency kits, spare tires (if you want to keep them), jumper cables, tools, seasonal items
• Center console: Coins, pens, gum, medications, important papers
• Visor: Receipts, insurance documents, parking permits
• Cup holders: Loose change, old receipts

Check Behind the Wheels

Seriously. People toss things in wheel wells and forget about them. Check all four wheels before pickup day.

Remove Electronics Carefully

If your car has a working stereo system, phone chargers, or other electronics you want to keep, remove them. We recycle what’s left, so anything valuable should come out before we arrive.

Step 3: Take Off Your License Plates

Remove Plates Before Pickup

Your Michigan license plates are yours to keep. Take them off your vehicle before our team arrives. You’ll want them for your records and for any future vehicle registrations.

How to Remove License Plates

Most license plates are held on with two bolts. You’ll need:

• A socket wrench or screwdriver (depending on your bolts)
• About 5 minutes per side

Front and rear plates both need to come off. If your plates are stuck or rusted, don’t force them—just let our team know when we arrive and they can help, or you can remove them the day before.

What to Do With Your Plates

Once removed, you have options:

• Return them to Michigan Secretary of State (some people do this for environmental reasons)
• Keep them as memorabilia (many people like to keep their old plates)
• Recycle them through a local recycling center

Michigan doesn’t require you to return plates, so it’s completely your choice.

Step 4: Drain Fluids if Safe to Do So (Optional)

You Don’t Have To—We Can Handle It

This step is optional. Square Deal Auto Salvage properly disposes of all vehicle fluids as part of our responsible car recycling process. We’re equipped and trained to handle oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, and other hazardous materials safely.

If You Want to Drain Fluids Yourself

If your vehicle is parked on your property and you’re comfortable doing this, you can:

Oil: Place a drain pan under the oil plug, unscrew it, and let oil drain completely. Store used oil in a sealed container. Many auto parts stores will take used oil for free.

Antifreeze: Locate the radiator drain plug, place a pan underneath, and drain carefully. Never touch antifreeze—it’s toxic. Store it sealed.

Other fluids: Transmission fluid, brake fluid, and power steering fluid can be similarly drained if you’re comfortable working under your vehicle.

Safety Warning

Only do this if you feel confident working on vehicles. If your car is in poor condition or you’re unsure, skip this step. Our team handles it professionally and safely every day.

Step 5: Clean Out the Trunk and Under the Hood

What Needs to Come Out of the Trunk

• Spare tires (if you want to keep them)
• Jumper cables (if you want them)
• Emergency kits
• Tools (jack, lug wrench, etc.)
• Seasonal items (chains, snow brushes)
• Anything valuable or sentimental

Check Under the Hood

Pop the hood and look for:

• Loose items stored in the engine bay
• Your VIN number (you’ll need this if ordering a new title)
• Battery terminals (note if they’re corroded—doesn’t matter for our purposes, but good to know)
• Fluid levels (we’ll handle any topped-up fluids)

You don’t need to drain the radiator or do any mechanical work. We just want to make sure there aren’t tools, parts, or personal items tucked in the engine bay.

Step 6: Take Photos of Your Vehicle’s Condition (Optional But Helpful)

Why Documentation Helps

Taking a few photos before pickup creates a record of the vehicle’s condition on the day of removal. This protects both you and Square Deal Auto Salvage if any questions come up about the car’s state.

What to Photograph

• Overall exterior condition
• Any major damage, rust, or dents
• Interior condition
• Fuel level (if gauge works)
• Odometer reading (if you want it on record)
• License plates before removal

Store these photos on your phone or email them to yourself. You probably won’t need them, but they’re good to have.

Step 7: Prepare Your Driveway or Parking Area

Make Sure We Can Access the Vehicle

Check that:

• Your vehicle is accessible from the street
• There aren’t other cars blocking the driveway
• Power lines aren’t hanging low over the vehicle
• The ground is relatively level (our tow truck can handle slight slopes)

If your car is in a garage, move it out the day before or morning of pickup so our driver doesn’t need to come inside.

Let Us Know About Special Circumstances

If your car is:

• In a garage with a low ceiling
• Blocked by another vehicle
• In a tight driveway
• Parked on the street requiring permits

Just let us know when scheduling pickup. Our experienced drivers have handled all kinds of situations in Benton Harbor. Knowing ahead helps us bring the right equipment.

Step 8: Double-Check Your Quote Amount

Confirm the Offer Before We Arrive

When you call for your free junk car quote, we give you a specific amount based on:

• Your vehicle’s make, model, and year
• Overall condition and mileage
• Current scrap metal prices
• Parts value

Write this amount down or screenshot the email confirmation. On pickup day, you’ll get this exact amount in cash (or close to it—prices can shift slightly if your vehicle’s condition differs dramatically from your description).

What Could Change the Price?

Prices might adjust slightly if:

• The vehicle won’t start when our driver tries (we quoted it running)
• There’s major hidden damage we didn’t know about
• The transmission fluid is completely gone or the engine is severely damaged

These situations are rare. In most cases, your quoted price is what you’ll receive.

Step 9: Arrange for Someone to Be Home (Recommended)

Why Having Someone Present Matters

We need someone who can:

• Sign paperwork
• Confirm vehicle details
• Receive payment
• Hand over the title

You or an authorized household member needs to be present. If you’ll be out of town on pickup day, arrange for a trusted family member or friend to be there on your behalf. You’ll need to authorize them in writing to complete the transaction.

If You Can’t Be Home

Call us ahead of time at 269-925-0054. We can sometimes work out arrangements, but having someone physically present at the location is standard.

Step 10: Have Cash Payment Information Ready

We Pay Cash on the Spot

When our driver arrives and completes the pickup, you receive payment immediately. We don’t send checks weeks later. You get your cash that day.

What Form of Payment?

Our standard is cash payment at the time of pickup. If you have special payment needs, contact us before pickup day to discuss options.

Tips for Receiving Cash Payment

• Have a safe place to store cash (wallet, envelope, etc.)
• Consider having someone else present as a witness
• Don’t announce you’re receiving cash payment to neighbors or strangers

Day of Pickup: What to Expect

Our Driver Will:

• Arrive within your scheduled pickup window
• Inspect the vehicle briefly to confirm it matches your description
• Review the title with you
• Have you sign transfer-of-ownership paperwork
• Load your vehicle onto the tow truck safely
• Hand you cash payment
• Answer any last-minute questions

The Whole Process Takes About 30 Minutes

From arrival to departure, including paperwork and payment, expect roughly 30 minutes. If your car is easily accessible and all paperwork is ready, it might be faster.

After We Leave

Once our truck leaves your property, you’re done! No more responsibility for that vehicle. No insurance needed. No registration concerns. That’s our burden now—and we handle it responsibly through professional car recycling.

What Happens to Your Car After Pickup?

We Follow Eco-Friendly Recycling Standards

Your junk car doesn’t just get crushed. We:

• Safely drain all hazardous fluids (oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, refrigerant)
• Remove the battery and recycle it properly
• Salvage usable parts for resale or reuse
• Separate metal, glass, plastic, and rubber
• Recycle everything according to EPA and Michigan environmental standards

This responsible approach means your old car contributes to new products instead of ending up in a landfill.

Support Local Environmental Responsibility

By choosing Square Deal Auto Salvage for your junk car removal, you’re supporting environmentally responsible recycling right here in Benton Harbor. We keep Michigan clean and support sustainable practices.

Ready to Prepare Your Junk Car for Pickup?

Follow these 10 steps and your pickup will be smooth, fast, and stress-free. You’ll get fair cash, your property will be clear, and you’ll know your car is being recycled responsibly.

Start the process today:

• Call us at 269-925-0054 for your free junk car quote
• Request a quote online and we’ll contact you within 24 hours
• Send us a message with any special questions

We serve all of Benton Harbor and the surrounding 20-mile area in Berrien County. Whether you’re in St Joseph, Coloma, Watervliet, or anywhere nearby, we’re here to help you remove that junk car and get paid fairly.

Square Deal Auto Salvage – Benton Harbor’s Trusted Junk Car Removal Service
Free Pickup, Fair Prices, Eco-Friendly Recycling
Call 269-925-0054 Today