What to Do Before Junk Car Pickup in Ontario
A practical checklist for Ontario junk car pickup: remove belongings, plates, toll devices, paperwork, and access issues before towing.
Key takeaways
- Remove personal belongings, plates, documents, toll devices, parking passes, and dash cameras.
- Confirm ownership or authorization details before the tow truck is assigned.
- Tell dispatch about blocked access, flat tires, no keys, seized wheels, or underground parking.
Clear the car before the truck arrives
Check the glovebox, trunk, centre console, under seats, door pockets, and hidden storage areas. Remove personal items, ownership copies, insurance slips, service records, toll transponders, parking passes, and dash cameras.
Licence plates should be removed before the vehicle leaves unless you have been told otherwise for a specific paperwork situation. Keep anything tied to your insurance, registration, or personal accounts.
Confirm paperwork and payment details
Have ownership or authorization details ready and make sure the person selling the vehicle is allowed to release it. If the ownership is missing, discuss that before dispatch so the buyer can explain the verification steps.
Confirm the quote, payment method, pickup address, towing terms, and any release instructions before the truck is assigned. Clear terms prevent confusion at the handoff.
Make pickup access simple
If possible, clear space around the vehicle and move anything blocking the tow path. Tell dispatch if the vehicle is underground, in a condo garage, behind another car, missing wheels, or parked somewhere with tight access.
Share gate codes, shop contacts, storage yard rules, parking restrictions, or preferred pickup windows early. Access details help the driver arrive prepared.