Get $1,200 For That Old Castro Valley Clunker

CASTRO VALLEY, CA — Do you have an old car sitting around your Castro Valley home unused? Perhaps you plan to restore it, or pass it along to a child or grandchild when they're old enough.

But would you get rid of it if it meant an extra $1,200 in your bank account?

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District recently announced the Vehicle Buy Back Program for Bay Area residents to scrap 1997 and older vehicles.

Those old cars and small trucks pump out more pollution than newer models with emission control technology.

“While cars and trucks on Bay Area roads are the largest source of air pollution in the region, older vehicles run dirtier than those with newer engines and contribute significantly more to unhealthy air quality,” said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the Air District. “Taking older vehicles off the road is a fast and effective way to reduce transportation-related air pollution.”

To participate in the buy back program, you must meet these requirements:

• Vehicle must be 1997 model year or older.
• Vehicle must be currently registered as operable and must be drivable.
• Vehicle must have been registered in the Bay Area for the past 24 months.
• Vehicles within 60 days of a required smog check must take and pass smog check.

The air district said the program will reduce carbon dioxide, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

Get more details about the Vehicle Buy Back Program.

If you don't meet the requirements, the State of California operates a program to buy vehicles that do not pass a smog check. Get more details about the is available at Consumer Assistance Program.