Missing keys alone won't stop you from selling a car to a junk or scrap buyer in New York. What actually determines whether a sale goes through is proof that you own the car, not whether you can hand over a key ring. If the car is headed for scrap or parts rather than another driveway, a buyer's tow truck doesn't need to start the engine to take it away.
Why keys matter less to a scrap buyer than to a used-car buyer
A used-car buyer wants to test-drive the car, which means they need a working key. A junk or scrap buyer is pricing the car for its parts and metal, and most of the time it's leaving on a flatbed or a tow hook, not under its own power. Whether the ignition turns over has almost no bearing on what a car headed for scrap is worth. That's a different calculation than the one a private buyer runs, and it's why "no keys" panics sellers more than it needs to.
That doesn't mean keys are irrelevant everywhere. If the car still runs and you're hoping to sell it to someone who plans to drive it away, no key is a real problem — for that buyer, not for a scrap buyer.
Does the DMV actually require keys to transfer a title?
New York's title-transfer paperwork is about proving ownership, not about the physical car. The seller signs over the title, fills out a bill of sale, and the buyer takes it from there — none of that paperwork asks whether a key exists. What the state cares about is the signature on the title, not what's on your keyring. If you do have a key, hold onto it — and the title — until you're actually paid; our guide on what to expect and when to hand things over at pickup covers that timing.
If it's not the keys but the title itself that's missing, that's a separate and more common problem — see our guide on selling a car with a lost title in NY for what to do next. A missing title needs a real fix before a sale can close; a missing key usually doesn't.
What if the car doesn't run either?
Missing keys and a car that won't start often show up together — the car's been sitting long enough that nobody remembers where the spare went, and the battery's dead besides. That combination doesn't change the underlying answer. Our guide on selling a car that doesn't run covers the same logic: a buyer pricing a car for parts and scrap isn't relying on the ignition working in the first place.
Does a missing key change anything about pickup?
Not from a practical standpoint. A tow truck picking up a car for scrap doesn't need to drive it onto the truck under its own power — it gets winched or loaded the same way a car that doesn't run does. Missing keys just mean the driver can't roll the car around your driveway to make loading easier, so if it's parked somewhere tight, mention that when you schedule pickup and the driver can plan for it.
Where CashMyCarNY fits in
CashMyCarNY buys cars other buyers pass on — not running, wrecked, flooded, rusted, or missing parts — and a missing key doesn't take a car off that list. Get an instant offer in about 60 seconds with no haggling, and if the car matches what you described, the price doesn't change once the driver shows up. Towing is free anywhere in New York, and we come to you whether the car runs or not. How the pickup process works covers what to expect once you accept.
Quick answers
Do I need to bring a spare key if I only have one? No. One key is enough for a junk or scrap sale — there's no requirement to produce a second one, since the car isn't being driven away by its new owner the way it would be in a private sale.
What if the car never came with a key at all? It still doesn't block the sale. What the buyer needs is proof you own the car, which comes from the title and paperwork, not from anything on a keyring.
Will a missing key or fob lower my offer? That depends on the buyer, not on any state rule — ask directly when you get your offer instead of assuming either way.
Does this work the same for a pickup in Staten Island as anywhere else in New York? Yes. The keys-versus-paperwork distinction doesn't change by borough or county — it's the same across Staten Island and the rest of the state.
The short version
Missing keys don't stop a junk or scrap car sale in New York — what matters is proof of ownership, and that comes from the title, not the keyring. A used-car buyer who plans to drive the car away is a different story, but that's not the transaction most sellers in this situation are making. If the title itself is missing too, that's the piece worth fixing first. Ask your buyer directly whether a missing key affects the number, since that call belongs to them, not the state.
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Frequently Asked
What kinds of cars do you buy?
Just about anything — running or not, wrecked, flooded, rusted out, or missing parts. We make offers on cars that other buyers pass on.
Do I need the title?
Having the title in hand is best — you'll sign it over in the seller section on the back at pickup. If your title is missing, tell us your situation and we'll walk you through what's possible.
How is my offer calculated?
We price your car based on year, make, model, and condition, plus current scrap value that week. Newer and larger vehicles are generally worth more, but there is no typical figure worth quoting — the number depends on your specific car, so get your own instant offer for the real one.
Is towing really free?
Yes — free towing means $0, no hidden fee, anywhere in New York.
How fast can you pick up?
We move quickly once your offer is accepted. Exact timing depends on your location and schedule, so we'll confirm a pickup window with you directly.
What paperwork do I need in NY?
You'll need your signed-over title, and your plates should come off before pickup. New York requires sellers to surrender plates to the DMV before cancelling insurance, and the DMV issues an FS-6 receipt for the surrender — we'll walk you through it.
What happens to my plates?
Remove your plates before we arrive for pickup. You'll then surrender them to the DMV and keep the FS-6 receipt as your proof of surrender — check dmv.ny.gov for details on the process.
When and how do I get paid?
You get paid at pickup once the vehicle and paperwork are confirmed — no waiting around for a check in the mail.
We’ll Buy It.
Because when it comes down to it, junk cars are our thing. Anywhere in New York.