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The Mile High Scrap Heap: Your Guide to Denver’s 5 Best Junkyards

junkyards-denver
We extensively test and research all services we review. Here's why you can trust us.

Inventory Organization: We evaluated how systematically each salvage yard arranges its vehicles and parts. A highly organized lot drastically reduces the time you spend searching for specific components.

Pricing and Payouts: Getting a fair deal is crucial when selling a scrapped vehicle or buying replacements. We prioritized businesses that offer transparent pricing structures and competitive cash offers for junk cars.

Customer Convenience: Hauling away an old vehicle requires logistical support. We looked closely at companies offering free towing services and flexible scheduling to make the disposal process seamless.

Warranty and Protection: Buying salvaged auto parts carries inherent risks, as components may fail after installation. We specifically favored yards that provide solid warranty policies and labor protection to safeguard your investment.

Dealing with a wrecked vehicle or hunting down an elusive car part can feel like a massive headache. Also, if you’re trying to free up driveway space or save money on a repair project, finding a reliable salvage yard makes all the difference. 

Knowing exactly where to go for your projects saves you time and stress. So, I’ve navigated the local auto-recycling scene to track down the most reliable options. 

Read on as I break down the best junkyards in Denver, ensuring you get top dollar for your scrap car or the exact component you need without the usual hassle.

How much do junkyard admissions cost in Denver?

In Denver, self-service junkyards generally charge a $2 to $3 admission fee to pull parts, while used components have fixed, low prices, and scrap cars typically sell for $500 to over $3,000, with complimentary towing included.Service or ItemAverage Cost

Service or ItemAverage Cost
VIP Yard Admission$2.00
Regular Yard Admission$3.00
Used Bumper Cover~$40.00
Used A/C Evaporator~$42.00
Scrap Car Sale$500 – $3,000+ ($165/ton)

1. Pick Your Part – Denver 52nd Ave

pick-your-part-denver-52nd-ave

Website: https://locations.lkqpickyourpart.com/

Address: 1355 W 52nd Ave

Contact: 1-800-962-2277

Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM | Saturday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Tackling a repair project yourself is much easier when you can locate the exact donor vehicle on a well-kept lot. 

Pick Your Part is a self-service yard featuring rows of cars and trucks mounted on individual stands, neatly arranged and separated by manufacturer to provide a streamlined parts-pulling experience.

They also maintain a daily-updated inventory database so you can verify that your desired model is on the lot before leaving home. 

I recently spent an afternoon here looking for a specific Honda alternator, and the structured layout saved me hours of wandering.

And since you handle the labor of removing the components, this place doesn’t hire dismantling mechanics. On the bright side, those financial savings pass directly to you. 

You do have to pay a modest entry fee just to walk through the gates, which means spending money before confirming your specific part is fully intact.

Pros

  • Significant labor cost savings
  • Daily updated vehicle inventory
  • Parts warranty available
  • Buys junk cars and trucks

Cons

  • Mandatory upfront admission fee
  • Must bring your own hand tools
  • Outdoor lot exposed to weather
  • Requires physical dismantling labor

Customer Reviews:

All in all, it was a great experience.

They have a pretty good selection of cars I wish they just had a little bit better categories but for the most part newer vehicles a lot of them had the parts that I needed staff was very friendly easy going laid back wasn’t crowded Yard was fairly clean so it wasn’t hard to walk around and put all in all was great experience

The inventory is intuitively sorted, and easy to traverse.

This place is great. The entrance staff are super helpful, and nice. The inventory is intuitively sorted, and easy to traverse. Each car is marked with identifiers which makes finding what your looking for pretty easy. I was here for parts for 2 different cars. I was lucky with one and not so much with the other.

2. Denver Auto Recyclers & Cash for Junk Cars (NO PARTS)

denver-auto-recyclers-cash-for-junk-cars-no-parts

Website: https://denverautorecyclers.com/

Address: 5539 Washington St

Contact: (720) 404-5484 | [email protected] 

Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Saturday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Getting rid of an old clunker shouldn’t require multiple appraisals or complicated logistics. Denver Auto Recyclers focuses entirely on providing instant cash offers over the phone for whole junk vehicles.

They provide seamless removal and free towing, though it’s important to note that they don’t offer individual parts for sale. 

To get started, you can simply call them, get a quote, and schedule a pickup time. They even offer a dedicated text message line for sending vehicle photos or asking quick questions.

And since they operate seven days a week, standard office workers have plenty of flexibility to hand off their cars without taking time away from the desk. 

The major downside is that their model is strictly focused on buying whole vehicles, so they offer no inventory for individuals seeking replacement parts. 

If you’re scheduling a full property cleanout, you may still need a separate service for general junk removal, in addition to hauling off your car.

Pros

  • Instant phone cash quotes
  • Flexible pick-up scheduling
  • Open seven days a week
  • Convenient text message support

Cons

  • Zero used parts available
  • Focuses solely on full cars
  • Not for DIY repair mechanics
  • No walk-in parts browsing

Customer Reviews:

Very quick and professional! Highly recommended!

Had a car I really needed to get rid of just an eye sore in the front drive way. I called a little late on a Friday night but Ivan was able to take my call and get everything set up for the morning he was even a little early the next morning ready with cash he was very respectful throughout our entire deal from beginning to end very quick and professional! Highly recommend!

Cash given on spot, great business!

Just got done dealing with Felipe, called yesterday took no longer then 10 – 20 min! To schedule a pick up. Pick ups 9am to 5pm and usually can get to you within  a solid time frame of your location. Cash given on spot great business!. Thanks again

3. Central Auto Parts

central-auto-parts

Website: http://www.usedautopartsdenver.co/

Address: 2150 W 60th Ave

Contact: (720) 922-7827

Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Sourcing a major powertrain component always carries a bit of anxiety regarding reliability and future performance. 

Central Auto Parts specializes in rigorously tested used and remanufactured auto components. A unique aspect is that they back every sale with an industry-leading 180-day standard warranty. 

Beyond the standard guarantee, they offer an optional labor warranty. This option provides critical financial security in case a purchased component fails after a mechanic installs it. 

My brother recently sourced a remanufactured transmission from them, and having that extended protection gave him total peace of mind during the installation.

It’s also notable that they run a nationwide distribution network, shipping their tested salvaged components across the country if you can’t make it to the physical lot. 

Unfortunately, the facility is closed on weekends. This schedule makes it highly inconvenient for weekend hobbyists who need to pick up supplies outside of normal business hours.

Pros

  • 180-day standard part warranty
  • Extended labor protection available
  • Nationwide parts shipping
  • Specialized powertrain expertise

Cons

  • Closed on weekends 
  • Focused heavily on large components

Customer Reviews:

I would buy from them again.

I found a door for my 2020 Sorento from a 2019 that did not have any scratches or dents. Paid them about $732 because about half of that was for S&H from Denver to Springfield, MO, but then unexpectedly, they credited my credit card $26 because the S&H wasn’t as much as they thought it was going to be I guess. It arrived all wrapped up and protected with plastic, and secured to two pallets that held it upright. I would buy from them again, but hopefully my wife is a little more careful driving.

Prices are highly competitive.

These folks are great! In stock part orders are ready for pickup next-day and they’ll go hunting for whatever you need if they don’t have it. Prices are highly competitive and will beat what you can find on Ebay. They’re my go-to spot!

4. (NO PARTS) Auto Recycling Denver – Cash For Cars

no-parts-auto-recycling-denver-cash-for-cars

Website: https://www.autorecyclingdenver.com/

Address: 3480 W 1st Ave

Contact: 720 568 9884 / (720) 725-2454 | [email protected] 

Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Leaving a severely damaged or non-running vehicle on your property often turns into an expensive nuisance. Luckily, Auto Recycling Denver is dedicated to buying junk cars in any condition and offers free towing to quickly and cleanly remove unwanted vehicles. 

They purchase wrecked and total-loss cars without hesitation, allowing property owners to immediately free up valuable driveway or garage space.

A plus for convenience is their long operating hours all week long, allowing for high flexibility when planning a vehicle hand-off. The focus here is heavily on rapid turnaround, often resulting in same-day or next-day transactions.

Keep in mind that they operate purely as a vehicle buyer and recycler. If you’re hoping to pull a replacement door or engine for a personal project, this facility isn’t for you.

Pros

  • Complimentary vehicle towing
  • Accepts all car conditions
  • Continuous daily operating hours
  • Rapid same-day transaction speeds

Cons

  • Strictly no part sales
  • Geared only toward sellers
  • No walk-in lot for browsing
  • Does not sell whole vehicles

Customer Reviews:

I would highly recommend them.

They made it very easy. Free tow and came within 20 min from when I called them. He was very nice and professional and handled everything quickly and painlessly. My old car was in disrepair and I still got $190 for it. I would highly recommend them.

It was way quicker & smoother than I expected.

Auto Recycling Denver made the entire process fast, easy, & stress-free.  Nayeli & Clover were the ones who helped me, & they were both amazing—super professional, friendly, & genuinely eager to help.  They towed both of my cars from separate locations without skipping a beat, paid me cash on the spot, & didn’t drag anything out.  Pickup was included, so there were no surprise fees.  It was way quicker & smoother than I expected.  Highly recommend working with them!  Thanks again you two!  Sorry I didn’t get better pictures.  Last second bye to my cars ha.  🤩

5. A1 Auto Recycling – Cash For Junk Cars – NO Parts Sold

a1-auto-recycling-cash-for-junk-cars-no-parts-sold

Website: http://www.a1autorecycling.net/

Address: 600 E 49th Ave

Contact: (720) 422-9387

Hours: Mon – Fri: 8am – 8pm; Sat: 9am – 8pm

Navigating lost paperwork and arranging transportation usually slows down the process of selling a scrap car, but A1 Auto Recycling simplifies the disposal process.

For starters, they still offer to purchase junk cars even if you’ve lost the formal title, provided you have the vehicle registration and a matching identification document.

Moreover, they provide instant cash quotes over the phone and arrives directly at your location with physical cash in hand. By securing a guaranteed cash offer upfront based on the vehicle details, you avoid any aggressive haggling when the truck arrives. 

They also service a huge area, as their tow drivers travel well beyond the Denver metro area to reach surrounding neighborhoods. 

One notable drawback is that their dispatch operations are closed on Sundays. 

If you find yourself doing exterior home maintenance and looking into gutter cleaning companies over the weekend, you’ll have to wait until Monday to schedule this car removal.

Pros

  • Flexible title requirement policies
  • Expansive geographic service area
  • Physical cash paid immediately
  • Guaranteed initial phone offers

Cons

  • Completely closed on Sundays
  • Does not offer retail auto parts
  • Requires accurate phone descriptions

Customer Reviews:

Quick, easy, will offer you top dollar.

Arrived right on time, checked my title and ID, handed me the cash we agreed upon on the phone and my car was gone in 20 minutes.  This was about as simple, easy and quick as it could get.  I would highly recommend this company!  Quick, easy, will offer you top dollar, and they are local too!

The price quoted was honored and received quoted cash, no haggle.

Fast and easy quote on the phone, arranged pickup same day, Pablo arrived early, as i expressed I had to be to work. Took 5 min to exchange driver’s license info, title and give him the key. The price quoted was honored and received quoted cash, no haggle. I will use in the future and recommend to friends and family.