Yes. A car battery is worth $5 to $20 at a scrap yard due to its lead content. Auto parts stores also accept old batteries, sometimes offering store credit. While not a huge amount, the battery does add to your junk car’s overall value and shouldn’t be removed before sale unless you have a specific use for it.
Battery value breakdown:
- Scrap yard payment: $5 to $15 cash
- Auto parts store credit: $10 to $20
- Core exchange (when buying new): $10 to $25 credit
Why batteries have scrap value:
- Lead plates inside are recyclable
- Lead prices range from $0.30 to $0.50 per pound
- Average car battery contains 20 to 25 pounds of lead
- Plastic case and acid are also recycled
Junk car buyers include the battery in their overall offer. They’ll remove it during processing and sell it to battery recyclers. You don’t need to remove it yourself.
If your battery is dead, it still has scrap value. Lead doesn’t care whether the battery holds a charge. A completely dead battery is worth the same as one that still works.
Hybrid and electric vehicle batteries are worth significantly more. A hybrid battery pack can be worth $500 to $2,000+ for refurbishment or cell recovery. If you’re scrapping a hybrid, mention the battery condition when getting quotes. Learn about junking hybrid and electric vehicles for more details.
