A junkyard dismantles vehicles and sells usable parts. A scrap yard crushes vehicles and sells the raw metal. Junkyards pay more for cars with valuable components because they profit from parts resale. Scrap yards pay based on weight since they only recover metal value.
Key differences:
- Junkyards: Remove and inventory parts, sell to consumers and shops, keep cars intact longer
- Scrap yards: Crush vehicles quickly, sell baled metal to recyclers, focus on tonnage
What this means for sellers:
- Junkyards pay more for cars with good engines, transmissions, and body parts
- Scrap yards pay the same regardless of working components
- Junkyards may be selective about which cars they buy
- Scrap yards take almost anything with metal content
Some operations do both. A salvage yard might pull valuable parts, then send the remaining shell to their scrap operation. These hybrid businesses often pay well because they maximize value from each vehicle.
The terms are often used interchangeably in casual conversation. When getting quotes, ask what the buyer does with vehicles. A “junkyard” that immediately crushes cars is really operating as a scrap yard and will pay accordingly.
Learn whether a junk car buyer or scrap yard is better for your specific vehicle.
