Sell Your Junk Car in 78148 — Universal City, TX
Junk cars in Universal City, TX typically sell for $200–$875 (sedans) and $575–$3,425 (pickups) as of September 2026, based on ~$165/ton South-region scrap. Towing is free in Universal City, pickup times depend on the local tow partner, and you're paid at pickup. Texas expects a title for the sale; if yours is lost, Texas DMV replaces it (VTR-130-U + Bonded Title).
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Live in ZIP code 78148? We buy junk, non-running, wrecked, salvage-title, flood-damaged, and unwanted cars across Universal City and the surrounding Bexar County area. Free flatbed towing, cash paid on the spot — most 78148 pickups are often scheduled within a few days, depending on your area.
Universal City is a small town of about 20,532 residents in Bexar County, in the South region — coverage comes from tow partners based in the nearest metro, and pickups are typically batched by route day.
Scrap car prices in 78148
Estimated payout ranges by vehicle type in the Universal City, TX 78148 market. Your actual offer depends on year, make, model, and condition.
South region scrap market — updated October 2026. In the South, high vehicle volume and mild-climate bodies keep used-parts demand steady, which is why Universal City offers sit where they do rather than tracking a national average.
| Vehicle | Running | Not Running | Wrecked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact | $225–$1,000 | $175–$750 | $125–$525 |
| Sedan | $275–$1,175 | $200–$875 | $150–$625 |
| SUV / crossover | $550–$2,375 | $400–$1,750 | $300–$1,250 |
| Pickup truck | $775–$4,625 | $575–$3,425 | $425–$2,475 |
| Van / minivan | $500–$2,175 | $375–$1,600 | $275–$1,150 |
Scrap steel is trading around $165/ton in the South market, which sets the floor on 78148 offers — that's why a running sedan here quotes at $200–$875 rather than the bare per-ton number.
Junk car buyers near Universal City
Listed buyers within about 40 miles of Universal City. Compare them against your JunkUrCar offer before you commit.
Cash For Cars - Austin
New Braunfels, TX · ~17 mi away
8725 I-35 Ste B, New Braunfels, TX 78130, USA
LKQ Central Texas - Goodwin
New Braunfels, TX · ~17 mi away
5545 Goodwin Ln, New Braunfels, TX 78130, USA
XL Parts-Full Service Auto Parts Inc
New Braunfels, TX · ~17 mi away
154 S Business IH 35, New Braunfels, TX 78130, USA
Copart - Austin
New Braunfels, TX · ~17 mi away
8725 I-35 Bldg 1, New Braunfels, TX 78130, USA
Carquest Auto Parts - Specialized Parts Company
New Braunfels, TX · ~17 mi away
1413 W San Antonio St, New Braunfels, TX 78130, USA
Cash For Cars San Antonio
San Antonio, TX · ~21 mi away
432 New Laredo Hwy, San Antonio, TX 78211, USA
Selling a junk car in Texas: title & DMV rules
Texas requires a title in your name to transfer a junk vehicle, including a scrap sale from a Universal City driveway.
- If the title is missing
- Texas uses a bonded (surety) title when the chain of ownership is broken: you post a surety bond — typically 1.5× the vehicle's appraised value — and the Texas DMV issues a title you can sign over. The duplicate-title paperwork in Texas is VTR-130-U + Bonded Title (VTR-130-SOF).
- License plates
- Remove your plates — Texas plates stay with the seller and can be transferred.
- Notice of sale / release of liability
- File the Vehicle Transfer Notification (VTR-346) with TxDMV within 30 days — it releases you from liability.
- What Texas salvage buyers must do
- Texas requires a bonded title (Form VTR-130-SOF) when a regular title is unavailable. Licensed metal recyclers can accept vehicles 10+ model years old with photo ID and a Bill of Sale under Tex. Transp. Code §501.
- Sign the seller assignment on the title
- Complete the odometer disclosure
- Handle plates as TX requires
- File the notice of sale, then cancel insurance
For the full walkthrough — paperwork, no-title options, and current TX payout ranges — read our guide to selling a junk car in Texas.
Rules change — confirm current forms and filing windows with the Texas DMV.
Nearby ZIP codes
Junk car FAQs — Universal City, Texas
- How much can I get for my car in Universal City, Texas?
- Offers in Universal City, Texas depend on the vehicle: the year, make and model, whether it runs and drives, and the damage or missing parts you describe. Enter those details for an instant online offer. Offers are not guaranteed.
- Is towing included for a car in Universal City, Texas?
- Towing is included with the online offer. Describe where the car sits and whether it rolls and steers, and confirm the pickup terms before you accept. Offers are not guaranteed.
- How does pickup work for a car in Universal City, Texas?
- Pickup in Universal City, Texas is arranged after you accept an offer; timing depends on local tow-operator availability.
- What paperwork do I need to sell my junk car in Universal City, Texas?
- A government-issued photo ID and the vehicle title, or your state's replacement document. Texas title rules vary, so confirm the current requirement with your state motor vehicle agency.
- Should I clean my junk car before pickup in Universal City, Texas?
- You don't need to wash or detail the car. Remove personal items, and handle the license plates per Texas rules.