Almost every neighborhood around Bridgeport has one: the car that hasn't moved in months, slowly sinking into the driveway or taking up a spot on the street. Maybe it failed an inspection, maybe the repair costs more than the car is worth, or maybe it just quit. Whatever the reason, getting rid of it is easier than most people think if you do things in the right order.
Step 1: Decide if it's really "junk"
Before you call anyone, ask yourself:
- Would the repair cost more than the car is worth?
- Has it been sitting so long that tires, brakes and battery are all shot?
- Do you actually want to fix it, or is it just in the way?
If the honest answer is "I'm done with it," it's time to move on.
Step 2: Find your paperwork
Look for the title and the current or last registration. Paperwork rules depend on the car and the situation, so don't panic if something is missing — just gather what you have and tell us what you've got when you call. We'll tell you exactly what's needed before pickup.
Step 3: Take out your personal stuff
Check the glove box, center console, trunk, under the seats and the spare-tire well. Remove garage door openers, toll transponders, parking permits, child seats, and anything with your name or address on it.
Step 4: Take care of your plates and insurance — in the right order
In Connecticut, plates belong to the registration, not the car. Remove your plates before the car is hauled away. The usual order is: take off the plates, return or transfer them through the Connecticut DMV, and only then cancel or change your insurance. Canceling insurance while the car is still registered can cause problems with the DMV, so check with the DMV and your insurance company before you cancel anything.
Step 5: Make the car easy to reach
Tell us where the car is and how it's sitting:
- driveway, backyard, garage or street,
- flat tires or missing wheels,
- whether the keys are available,
- anything blocking it (snow, other cars, a tight gate).
The more we know, the smoother the pickup.
Step 6: Schedule the pickup
Joey Towing and Rental removes old, dead, wrecked and unwanted cars around Bridgeport and nearby towns. Call us, tell us the year, make and model and where it's parked, and we'll tell you what to have ready and when we can come. If you're asking whether we pay for the car, it depends on the car — just ask when you call.
What about a car that might still be worth something?
If the car runs or only needs a small repair, it might be worth more to sell it than to junk it. If you're not sure, our mobile mechanic can take a look first and give you an honest opinion. And if you just need the car moved somewhere else — to a buyer, a shop or another driveway — that's a transport job, not a junk job.
Don't let it sit another season
Cars that sit through a Connecticut winter only get harder to move: tires go flat, brakes seize, and snow piles up around them. If you already know you're done with it, the best time to call is before the next storm.
