Junk & Abandoned Car Removal in San Luis Obispo County

A vehicle that hasn’t run in years, sitting in a driveway, lot, or storage unit, doesn’t need to be fixed or even move under its own power to be hauled away.

Common Junk Removal Situations

A car that stopped running and was never fixed. Whether it’s a blown engine, transmission, or something not worth repairing given the vehicle’s age and value, non-running vehicles are our most common junk removal call — no need to get it started or move it first.

Flat tires or a rolled-down vehicle. A vehicle that’s been sitting long enough to have flat, dry-rotted tires still gets removed the same way — via flatbed or appropriate equipment, not requiring the vehicle to roll at all.

Storage unit or lot cleanup. Clearing a non-running vehicle from a rented storage unit, a business lot, or a property you’re preparing to sell.

A previous tenant or unknown owner’s abandoned vehicle. This is handled differently than removing your own vehicle — California requires specific legal notice steps before a property owner can have someone else’s abandoned vehicle towed and disposed of. Let dispatch know your situation is an abandoned (not your own) vehicle so we can walk you through what’s needed first.

What You’ll Need

In most cases, proof of ownership — typically your vehicle’s title — is required to legally remove and dispose of a vehicle, even a clearly non-functional one. If you’ve lost the title, the California DMV can issue a duplicate; let dispatch know ahead of time if this applies to you so we can advise before scheduling pickup.

Does It Cost Anything?

It depends on the vehicle. Some non-running vehicles have enough scrap or salvage value that pickup is free, or you may even receive a small payment. Others — particularly those that are hard to access, require significant equipment to move, or have little salvage value — may involve a standard towing fee instead. Describe your vehicle’s condition, age, and location when you call, and dispatch can give you a realistic idea of what to expect before scheduling.

How It Works

1. Call dispatch and describe the vehicle — condition, how long it’s been non-running, and whether you have the title available.
2. Confirm your location and any access considerations (driveway, storage unit, tight lot).
3. An operator arrives with appropriate equipment (typically flatbed or wheel-lift, depending on the vehicle’s condition) to load and remove the vehicle.
4. Paperwork is handled at pickup, provided you have proof of ownership ready.