Program ends August 24th at 8:00 PM - Read Story

Consumers send our staff emails every day with basic questions on the CARS program that are already answered on the NHTSA website (cars.gov) as well as this website.   We are pleased to help them but we also decided to make a simple checklist to save on time and energy.

The Cash for Clunkers Consumer Checklist can be downloaded by clicking on the icon on the right. 

Print out this checklist on your computer. The form was designed to save consumers time in qualifying for the CARS program as well as submitting their  purchase for reimbursement at a local new car dealer.

If you would like a local dealer to contact you about your clunker trade-in, you can complete the form on the left or call any local new car dealer in your area.

Understandably, there are many source of information on the program that may appear to be in conflict.  Consumers also do not want to believe that they cannot participate in CARS for small lapses in insurance or registration.

Many consumers have told us stories that due to layoffs or financial stress, their clunkers were taken off insurance for a few months or a late bill cause a lapse in their clunker registration.  Unfortunately, these requirements are not flexible under current NHTSA rules.

If consumers want to change the rules, we encourage you to voice your vote by signing the Cash for Clunker Petition at www.nocashforclunkers.com

Cash for Clunkers Consumer Checklist

If you don’t have a printer, we have include the contents of the PDF checklist below:

We have created a consumer checklist that dealers and consumers can use to make sure that if you want to participate in the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) that you have all the documentation you need to qualify.  You can click on the icon on the right, or click here, to download this form and print it out for your personal checklist.

Please gather the documents listed below before you go to your local dealer.

Be prepared with your clunker information to ensure that you have a smooth transaction. 

Better Organization = Smoother Submissions

Before you call or visit a local new car dealer, understand these non-negotiable requirements:                                                 

• If you cannot show continuous insurance and registration for 12 months, you will not qualify.
• If you are the new car purchaser, your name must be on the title of the clunker
• If you have a lien on your clunker, you will not qualify.
• If your clunker is not qualified on www.cars.gov , you cannot qualify regardless of your actual mpg.
• You must be able to drive the clunker to the dealership.
• If your car is not listed on www.cars.gov  a dealer will not be able to process your sale.

CARS Document Checklist

Please bring these five documents into the dealership when you are ready to place an order for a new car under the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) program.  Check www.cars.gov for official program updates before you go to a local dealer.                             

1. A valid driver’s license. 
2. A clear title in your name or jointly owned with your name included.  If you recently paid off a lien, you should bring your lien release letter or the previous title that is stamped paid. 
3. Proof of continuous insurance for the past 12 months.  Documents to bring can include:
   1. A declaration page from your insurance policy showing dates of coverage.
   2. Insurance cards that cover  the last 12 months
   3. A letter from your insurance company certifying continuous insurance 
4. Proof of continuous registration. Documents to help prove this include:
   1. Registration cards that cover the last 12 months
   2. Experian registration search report (dealer can run this report) 
5. A print-out of the www.FuelEconomy.gov  website page that shows that your clunker qualifies. This will save you time from assuming that your car currently qualifies.