Frequently Asked Questions

CarBrain buys cars in less-than-perfect condition, like wrecked, broken-down and collision damaged cars. We make the process easy and convenient by picking up your car without any charge to you. We are your reliable solution.

CarBrain is an evolution of DamagedCars.com, which was founded in 2007. As DamagedCars.com, we’ve made nearly a million offers since our founding. With new, custom-built technology, we wanted to use a new name that’s a better fit. In 2017, CarBrain was born.

The CarBrain team has over seven years of buying salvage cars, wrecked cars and even late-model cars, trucks, vans and SUVs that have been in an accident. Our management team also operates CAS Auto and CAS Miami, which has been buying and selling cars since 1985.

Whether you want to sell your car because of mechanical problems, collision, electric problems or storm damage CarBrain will buy your car. 

CarBrain will buy your car nationwide and has an extensive service network throughout the United States. We’re a nationwide company that provides local service to our customers. Our corporate offices are headquartered in Miami Lakes, Florida.

Our corporate headquarters is located at 7900 NW 154th Street, Suite 200, Miami Lakes, Florida 33016.

CarBrain isn’t your ordinary junk car buyer. To insure you get a great offer for your specific car, we use our custom developed CarBrain price engine technology and up-to-date market pricing. We also look at the current condition of your car, based on photos when appropriate, mileage, location, year, make, model and trim. All of these factors help CarBrain to give you the best and most accurate guaranteed offer available.

At CarBrain we want to offer:
- Highest Value
- Quick Payment for Cars
- Convenience
- Free Tow and No Hidden Fees
- Secure Transactions – We’re fully accredited, licensed, bonded and insured.

Also, you have the security of holding your car until payment is made. When we purchase your car we deliver payment before we tow your car. We don’t get your car until you get your check. CarBrain provides a great reputation, ease of use, convenience and offering you a great price for your car.  

By completing our quick process to get an offer with accurate information on CarBrain, we can give you an instant offer on some vehicles or contact you with a guaranteed offer shortly after you submit your car's info. We can also provide you an instant offer over the phone by calling 1-877-877-7911 and speaking with one of our buyers. Offers to purchase are made by Us or by our network of Service Providers across the continental United States.

CarBrain works with a nationwide network of partners and service providers to pick up your vehicle. On average, we can have your vehicle picked up 24 to 48 hours after you accept our offer.

CarBrain buys and picks up your damaged vehicle from virtually everywhere in the continental United States. Click here to visit our “Areas Served” page to verify we service your ZIP Code.

CarBrain is a free service. There are no charges for evaluations and offers. If you sell car with CarBrain, we pay for pick up and towing. We have no hidden costs. When you sell your car to CarBrain, we pay you, not the other way around.

You are responsible for any storage fees or repair expenses incurred prior to selling the vehicle to CarBrain.

The process is simple. Go to any page on our website click "Get an Offer". For most cars, you’ll receive a guaranteed instant online offer. Or, we may need a few more details about your car, and you will receive a call from one of our car buyers shortly after you submit the form. They’ll give you your offer over the phone and email it to you.

You can also call us at 1-877-877-7911 for an instant, guaranteed offer. Click here to request an online, guaranteed offer today.

CarBrain takes into account a variety of factors when making you an offer for your vehicle. For example, your location, the wholesale value of your car pre-accident, the extent of damage or mechanical and electrical problems, the current market demand for your vehicle and its parts, its make, model, mileage and age all play a part of deciding the value.

For example, some cars, like a 20-year-old sedan that doesn’t start or run, won’t get the same offer as others, like a low-mileage two-year-old sports car with collision damage. Some cars fall in-between, like a high-mileage ten-year-old SUV with electrical problems.

There are no “book” values for damaged or salvage cars, but at CarBrain, we have over 30 years of experience in buying less-than-perfect vehicles. We strive to provide a fair offer to every customer.

There are two ways to upload pictures of your car. You can upload them during the initial offer process. On the last step, there’s a section to “upload pictures for best offer”. You can also follow the link and instructions in the CarBrain email that you’ll receive. Finally, you can login with you reference number and upload photos from there. When choosing photos, please pick clear, current pictures of your car’s Front, Left Side, Right Side, Rear, Interior, VIN and other views of any damage or areas that might be useful in valuing your car. Click “Select Files” to select a file for upload.

You can also text them to 305-972-4442 using a mobile device or email them as attachments to info@CarBrain.com. Please include your reference number or full name in the email or text.

Yes! If you don’t have all your information, enter what you can and come back later to finish. Just follow the links in your CarBrain emails or login on CarBrain.com using your reference number.

Feel free to contact us at any time. If you have additional information you would like to share about your vehicle or have any questions during our process, please send us an email at info@CarBrain.com or call us at 1-877-877-7911.

We also recommend you contact CarBrain prior to beginning any repairs to your vehicle. Frequently, our offer when combined with your insurance settlement check will be a great option for you.

There is different documentation needed during the offer phase, after you accept the offer price for your car, and when we pick up your vehicle.

When filling out the vehicle submission form, other than documenting your car’s year, make, model, trim, mileage and general condition, we ask that you include your vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Your VIN contains important details on your car that help up to give you the best offer. A vehicle’s VIN contains it year, make, model, trim information and other auto options and details. You can enter the VIN at the beginning of the offer process to get into the Fast Lane. Or, you can wait to enter the VIN until later.

For some cars, once we reach an agreement on an offer for your vehicle, we will request a signed photocopy or scan of your title. This photocopy or scan is only used to verify the name and address of the vehicle’s owner and that it is signed in the appropriate place(s). We also request a scan or photocopy of the owner’s driver’s license to verify your name and signature matches the name and signature on the title. Only a vehicle’s legal owner can sign the title and sell the vehicle.

For your privacy, you are welcome to cross out your driver’s license number and date of birth. We only need to verify your name and signature. Be assured, at this stage, we only require a photocopy or scan of your title which are not usable in any way to transfer ownership of your vehicle.

For other cars (which are generally older vehicles), a member of the CarBrain network picks up your vehicle for purchase, they will verify title and ownership before delivering payment and completing the sales transaction,

In all case, when the tow truck comes to pick up your vehicle and give you your check, we require the properly signed original title to your car. Without that title, we cannot purchase your car.

CarBrain and every member of our network of service providers, partners and vehicle purchasers follow all applicable state guidelines regarding the purchase of your vehicle. Our purchase process is the same as any automobile dealer. If your vehicle is financed or a lease, CarBrain can guide you through the title release process.

CarBrain, through our network of service provider partners, handles transportation of the vehicle. There are no hidden charges for towing or other fees. However, you are responsible for any storage fees or repair expenses incurred prior to selling the vehicle to CarBrain.

The CarBrain process is designed to be very secure. You receive a legal purchase agreement confirming the transaction. We do not transfer ownership of your vehicle until the transaction is complete. As an additional layer of security, you don’t release your vehicle until you receive payment for your car.

Most common cars missing major mechanical components such as Engine or Transmission do not meet our minimum standards for purchase.

We will accept most cars with parts missing such as bumper, headlights, radio, or other non-essential mechanical components.

Motor Vehicle Titles are different for every state. Please click here to visit our title information page. Select the appropriate state for instructions on how to sign your title correctly. 

CarBrain requires a title in the seller’s name. We cannot buy your vehicle without a valid, signed title from the registered vehicle owner.

CarBrain will purchase damaged vehicles of any type, including vehicles with physical, electrical or mechanical damage as well as vehicles with high mileage. We're even experienced with buying luxury, exotic and classic cars.

Most mechanical problems consist of blown or seized engines, engine failure, transmission failure, blown head gaskets, cracked cylinder heads, overheating engines, electrical problems and other major mechanical issues. But, CarBrain will make you an offer on your car regardless of mechanical issue.

CarBrain will be happy to make a fair market offer for your damaged car. We buy cars “as-is” with no repair needed. Repairing your car after an accident can be an expensive, stressful, long and complicated process. And, even after your vehicle receives the best repair, it still will likely take a big hit in terms of value, to the tune of up to 30%. When it’s time to sell a car up to 55% of people won’t buy a previously damaged car. Selling your car to CarBrain may be a great alternative to repair. Submit your online request for an offer or call CarBrain toll free at 1-877-877-7911 for an offer today.

If your vehicle is financed, you will need to either pay off the loan on the damaged car or transfer the loan to your new vehicle (sometimes called a collateral swap). If you are buying a new car, your new car dealer may assist with this process. If not, CarBrain can help.

CarBrain is here to help. We offer an excellent alternative to expensive repairs. Even after your vehicle receives the best repair, it still will likely take a big hit in terms of value, to the tune of up to 30%. Selling your vehicle to CarBrain is often the best option after an accident.

The insurer is required to prepare a thorough estimate of the damages and will be responsible for paying the vehicle’s owner this amount. Whether you repair the vehicle is usually up to you. Once the insurance company determines how much they owe, CarBrain will then pay you the residual value of your damaged car prior to repairs.

The vehicle owner can receive two payments, one from the insurance company for the damage settlement and a second from CarBrain for the full salvage value of the vehicle. These payments can then be combined to purchase a new vehicle. Repair isn’t always your best option.

Payment is made by check when we or a member of our Service Provider Network picks up your vehicle, or by mail if you choose this option. As the vehicle owner, you will need to provide keys, signed title and access to the car. If your title is held by a lien holder, we can help you get the title released.

Yes! CarBrain is currently operating with regular business hours. We’re still buying cars as usual. If you’re interested in getting a quote or selling your less-than-perfect car, click “get an offer” to see what offer you can get for your vehicle.

Your payment will not be affected. Pick-up times should not be affected in the immediate future. However, there may be some pick-up delays in certain regions in the coming weeks. Keep in contact with your car buyer to learn if your pick-up time will be affected.

All employees and partners are taking precautions to avoid the spread of COVID-19. Any infected employees have been asked to stay home to avoid further spread of the virus.

In general, you should take precautions whenever you come in contact with anyone to avoid contracting the virus, including washing your hands and avoiding direct contact with shared surfaces.

While employees are working from home, our phone service will not be available. However, you can still contact us by webchat through our website at www.CarBrain.com, or by email at info@carbrain.com. Once you are in contact with a CarBrain buyer, you will also have the option to communicate by text.

Luckily, selling your car online is currently the safest way to get cash for your less-than-perfect vehicles. However, there are still some steps you can take to minimize the risk of infection.

Before the tow truck driver arrives, wash your car keys with soap and water. Use a sanitizing wipe if you have an electronic fob key.

If possible, consider washing key areas of your vehicle including the door handle. You can also choose to wear gloves when the tow truck driver arrives in order to collect payment.

After you have handed over your keys and collected your payment, consider washing your hands again for a minimum of 20 seconds.