To get the best price for a scrap car, compare offers from multiple buyers, keep the vehicle complete, and time your sale when metal prices are high.
Strategies to maximize your scrap car payout:
- Get multiple quotes: Contact at least three to five buyers, including junkyards, scrap yards, salvage yards, and online junk car buyers. Offers can vary by $100 to $300+ for the same vehicle.
- Keep all parts intact: Complete vehicles with engine, transmission, catalytic converter, wheels, and battery sell for more than stripped cars.
- Have your title ready: Buyers pay more for vehicles with clean titles. Missing or salvage titles reduce offers.
- Check scrap metal prices: Steel and aluminum prices fluctuate. Selling when prices are up increases your payout.
- Mention if it runs: Running vehicles bring higher offers, even from scrap buyers.
- Remove personal items, not parts: Clear out belongings but leave components attached. Missing parts lower the quote.
- Negotiate: If one buyer offers more, ask others to match or beat the price.
- Avoid paying for towing: Most junk car buyers and scrap yards offer free pickup. If a buyer charges for towing, find another.
Selling to a junk car buyer for cash or salvage yard often pays more than a scrap metal recycler because they recover parts value in addition to metal value.