Answers to the most common questions about selling, donating, or scrapping your car with Fast Scrap & Recycling Cars in Calgary, AB.
Getting a Quote
How much will I get for my scrap car in Calgary?
Scrap car values in Calgary depend on three things: vehicle weight (Alberta steel scrap is $200–$280 per tonne in 2026), whether your catalytic converter is intact (adds $150–$800+ depending on the vehicle), and whether any other parts have secondary market value. A typical 1,500 kg sedan is worth $300–$500 in pure scrap. A truck or SUV with a working catalytic converter can be worth significantly more. See our full 2026 pricing guide →
Do you give a firm offer over the phone, or does the price change when you arrive?
We give a firm offer over the phone that holds when our driver arrives. We do not renegotiate at the door. If we quote you $400, you receive $400. This is the core promise we’ve built our business on — lowball-at-the-door tactics are how other buyers work, not us.
How quickly can I get a quote?
Call +1 (403) 870-2084 and you’ll have a firm offer in under 2 minutes. We ask for your vehicle’s year, make, model, condition, and approximate weight class (car, truck, or SUV). That’s all we need.
Do you buy cars that don’t run?
Yes. We specialize in non-running vehicles. Doesn’t start, won’t move, engine seized, accident-damaged, flooded — we take them all. A non-running vehicle still has scrap steel value and often has valuable parts (catalytic converters, transmissions, alloy wheels) that don’t require the car to run.
Do you pay more if my car runs?
Running condition affects value only when it affects what parts we can sell. A running engine or working transmission can increase the offer. A car that runs but has no other value still gets the base scrap value. We assess each vehicle individually — call with your specific make and model and we’ll tell you exactly what affects your offer.
Towing and Pickup
Is towing really free?
Yes. Towing is free for any vehicle we purchase, anywhere in Calgary and Greater Calgary. This is not a marketing claim where towing is subtracted from your offer. The offer you receive is what you receive in cash — no towing deduction, no “service fee,” no surprise charges.
How fast can you pick up in Calgary?
Most pickups happen the same day you call. Call in the morning — your vehicle is typically gone by afternoon. We serve all four Calgary quadrants and can give you a specific arrival window when you book, not a 6-hour window. For Greater Calgary (Airdrie, Okotoks, Chestermere, etc.), same-day pickups are usually available.
Do I need to be home for the pickup?
You or an authorized person with your government-issued ID needs to be present to sign the bill of sale. The vehicle legally transfers ownership when the bill of sale is signed — you cannot complete the transaction without being there. Plan for 10–15 minutes for the driver to arrive, assess the vehicle, sign paperwork, and pay you.
Can you pick up from a private property, apartment building, or storage lot?
Yes. We pick up from driveways, garages, parking lots, apartment building parking areas, and storage facilities. If you have a vehicle in a location with restricted access, let us know when you call — we’ll confirm whether our tow truck can reach it.
I live outside Calgary — do you come to me?
We serve Greater Calgary including Airdrie, Chestermere, Okotoks, Strathmore, Canmore, Crossfield, Olds, and Red Deer. If you’re outside these areas, call us — towing range depends on vehicle value and distance.
Paperwork and Ownership Transfer
What documents do I need to sell my car?
You need your vehicle registration (in your name) and a valid government-issued ID. We handle the bill of sale — you don’t need to prepare any paperwork. If your registration has expired but is still in your name, we can typically still complete the transfer. Call us first if your documentation situation is non-standard.
Do I need to go to a registry office before you pick up?
No. We complete all ownership transfer documentation on-site at your location. You don’t visit any office before or after the pickup. Once the bill of sale is signed, the transfer is complete.
What happens to the registration and plates?
You remove the plates from the vehicle before we arrive (or at the time of pickup). Alberta plates stay with the owner, not the vehicle. After the pickup, you can return the plates to any AMA registry and get a refund on any remaining registration period. Cancel your insurance after the pickup is complete.
I don’t have the title/registration — can you still take the car?
Registration in your name is required for a legal ownership transfer in Alberta. If you don’t have your registration certificate, you may be able to get a copy from AMA or an Alberta registry. If there are complications (lien on the vehicle, registered to a deceased family member, purchased without proper paperwork), call us — many situations have a workable path, but it varies by case.
Will the sale show up on my credit report?
No. A standard vehicle sale does not affect your credit report. If there is a lien on the vehicle (you owe money to a lender secured against the car), the lien must be cleared before the vehicle can legally be sold. This is a separate financial obligation — it has nothing to do with our purchase process.
Vehicle Condition and Types Accepted
What types of vehicles do you buy?
We buy cars, trucks, SUVs, minivans, and vans of any make, model, age, or condition. We do not buy motorcycles, ATVs, or recreational vehicles. For a vehicle to have scrap value, it needs to be a full-size road vehicle with a significant steel frame — the heavier the better.
Do you buy vehicles with salvage titles?
Yes. Salvage-titled vehicles often still have significant scrap and parts value. An insurance write-off with a salvage branding on the title is completely acceptable for scrap purchase — we deal with this regularly.
Do you buy very old or rusted-out cars?
Yes. An extremely rusted vehicle still has scrap steel value. Rust reduces the total recoverable parts value but doesn’t eliminate the base metal value. The older and more deteriorated a vehicle, the closer the offer will be to pure scrap weight.
What if my car is still drivable — should I still scrap it?
If your car is drivable, you generally have options: private sale, trade-in, or scrap. Scrap values reflect the vehicle’s weight and parts, not its ability to drive. Read our repair vs. scrap decision guide → to figure out which option makes more financial sense for your situation.
Payment
How do you pay — cash or e-Transfer?
We pay by cash or Interac e-Transfer before the vehicle moves. You choose which you prefer when you book. Payment is made at the time of pickup — before our driver hooks up the vehicle or loads it onto the truck.
Do you pay before or after you take the car?
Before. This is non-negotiable. You sign the bill of sale and receive your payment before the vehicle leaves your property. We do not take vehicles and pay later.
Environmental and Legal
How do you dispose of the vehicle?
Every vehicle goes through depollution before recycling. All fluids (engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid) are drained and captured. Fuel is recovered. Air conditioning refrigerants are extracted with certified equipment. Lead-acid batteries are removed and sent to licensed battery recyclers. After depollution, usable parts are salvaged and the hull is crushed and processed as scrap steel. Nothing goes to landfill. Read more about Alberta’s vehicle recycling regulations →
Is scrapping my car legal in Alberta?
Yes — scrapping a vehicle with a licensed recycler like Fast Scrap & Recycling Cars is completely legal. It’s illegal to abandon a vehicle on public or private property, and improper disposal that allows fluids to contaminate the environment carries significant penalties. Using a licensed, compliant recycler protects you legally and environmentally. See our full Alberta scrapping guide →
Do you issue a receipt?
Yes. Every transaction includes a signed bill of sale that serves as your receipt and proof that ownership was transferred. Keep this document — it protects you if any issue arises after the pickup (parking tickets, liability claims, etc.).
About Fast Scrap & Recycling Cars
Are you a local Calgary company?
Yes. We are locally operated in Calgary, Alberta. We are not a broker, a national franchise, or a lead-generation service. When you call our number, you’re talking to the team that will actually show up at your door. Learn more about us →
How long have you been in business?
Fast Scrap & Recycling Cars is an established Calgary vehicle buyer and recycler. We focus exclusively on the Calgary and southern Alberta market — this is the only thing we do.
How do I get started?
Call +1 (403) 870-2084 or email info@mediumseagreen-mongoose-489263.hostingersite.com. Give us your vehicle details and we’ll have a firm offer ready in 2 minutes. Most Calgary pickups happen the same day.