Licensed Texas salvage yards and junk car buyers
Selling a car that no longer runs, or hunting for a used part? In Texas, a business that dismantles vehicles or sells used auto parts must hold a TDLR Used Automotive Parts Recycler license. Every yard below holds a current one.
- Licensed status from the official record, with the date we checked
- TDLR license
- License valid through
- County
- Address and phone from the public record
- A link to the source so you can check it yourself
No ratings for sale. Featured spots are labelled and never change the order.
Browse salvage yards
How it works
Compiled from TDLR license data files (daily download), TDLR license search, Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2309, TxDMV: buying or selling a vehicle.
Search your area
Every salvage yard in the public record for your city — not just the ones that paid to be listed.
Check the record
Licensed status, key facts and the date we last refreshed the data, on every profile.
Contact them directly
Call from the profile or send a message. We never sell your details.
Guides
Plain-English answers, with links to the official sources.
Our promise
What we will never do — for the people searching and for the businesses listed.
Are you a salvage yard?
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Common questions
Do I need a title to sell my junk car in Texas?
Usually yes. Since January 1, 2026, a recycler can scrap a vehicle bought without a title only if it is at least 13 years old and has not been registered for at least 7 years. Otherwise get a certified copy of your title from TxDMV. See no-title rules.
What do I do after selling my car to a salvage yard?
File a Vehicle Transfer Notification with TxDMV. Filed within 30 days of the sale, it stops you being held responsible for parking tickets and tolls incurred after the sale. Then cancel your insurance on the vehicle.
What should I do with my license plates?
TxDMV says you can transfer them to a vehicle you're buying (same classification), keep them, or deface the front so they can't be misused. A licensed recycler must remove any unexpired plates it receives and keep them secure until destroyed.
Does a salvage yard need a license in Texas?
Yes. A business that operates a used auto parts recycling business or sells used auto parts needs a TDLR Used Automotive Parts Recycler license for each facility (Occupations Code §2309.151).
Why did the yard copy my driver's license when I sold a part?
Texas requires licensed recyclers to record the seller's driver's license number and keep a photocopy for most component parts they buy (§2309.354), as a theft-prevention measure.
Why isn't a yard listed?
We list only current TDLR recycler licenses with a Texas address. Scrap metal recyclers and TxDMV salvage dealers that don't need this license are not listed.