A scrap yard pays for a car based on its weight and current scrap metal prices. Most scrap yards offer $150 to $500 for a complete junk vehicle, though larger cars and trucks can bring more.
How scrap yards calculate payment:
| Factor | How It Affects Price |
|---|---|
| Vehicle weight | Scrap yards pay per ton of metal; heavier vehicles earn more |
| Steel prices | Most of a car’s weight is steel; prices range from $150 to $250+ per ton |
| Aluminum content | Engines, wheels, and radiators contain aluminum worth $0.30 to $0.50+ per pound |
| Catalytic converter | Contains platinum, palladium, and rhodium worth $50 to $250+ |
| Completeness | Complete cars with all parts pay more than stripped vehicles |
A typical car weighs 2,500 to 4,000 pounds. At current scrap rates, the metal alone is worth $150 to $400. Trucks and SUVs weighing 4,500 to 6,000+ pounds bring $300 to $600 or more in scrap value.
Scrap yards focus on metal recycling. If your car has valuable parts (engine, transmission, body panels), a junkyard or salvage yard may pay more than a scrap metal recycler. Check current scrap car prices in your area for accurate estimates.