Junkyards are the final resting place of a vehicle. Some cars in the graveyard of automobiles are old, and some lived a short life. Whether new or old, they were all purchased by the salvage yard. Junkyards will pay for cars to be used as scrap vehicles for scrap metal. If you consider taking your vehicle to a scrapyard, you may wonder how much junkyards pay for cars.
There are many factors that junkyards use when making an offer to buy junk cars. The condition of your vehicle, how much it weighs, your location, and if it is in demand are all things that the junkyard will look at when making you an offer for your junk vehicle.
How much can I get for my junk car?
If your vehicle has completely kicked the bucket or is puttering along, you may consider selling it to the junkyard. It may be your last option with the clunker and can get you some fast cash for a car you can't sell or trade to a dealership. The average price for cars at a junkyard is between $100-$500.
A running car will generate more cash than a car missing some essential parts or components. A running car may have some scrap parts of value before the scrap yard crushes it for its scrap metal. A non-running vehicle is often weighed, and the current scrap metal prices are paid.
For example, a 1989 Toyota Celica with no chance of running and missing some parts will get you $50-$125. This includes body damage and even missing a wheel and tire. The scrapyard is going to crush this vehicle.
On the other hand, a 2010 Ford F-150 can get you almost $1000 if it is running, but not a great car for daily driving. This is because some parts can be salvaged, which will help generate profit from the vehicle. Also, it weighs more than the Toyota, which means it will get more in scrap metal pricing when it is parted out.
Why do junkyards pay so low?
You may wonder why it is so low when you are given your original offer. For one, junkyards don't base it on the vehicle's market value. Because it will no longer transport people, a car's scrap value can be as low as 20% of the Blue Book value of a used car in good condition.
If you have a running vehicle, they consider how much they can make by reselling the parts from your car. You may get a better offer if they are rare car parts and in high demand. If it is an old car they already have hundreds of parts for, it will be a pretty low price.
Scrapyards buy non-running vehicles for the price of their metal. This means they will weigh the car and pay you based on the percentage of metal in your car. They base this on the make and model of the car and averages of other vehicles similar to yours.
Local scrap car prices help determine the value for cars destined for junkyards.
Salvage yards also have business costs to consider when they offer to buy your junker. If you don't bring the vehicle to them, they will have to pick it up for you. Apart from towing costs, they also have storage and inventory costs and labor costs for dismantling this vehicle. Overall, a junkyard is a business and must consider the business costs they incur when creating your offer!
Some junkyards always price low, especially if they know they are the only scrapyard and can get away with lowball offers and bait-and-switch tactics. In this case, shopping around for a company willing to travel to pick up your vehicle is best. You may get a lower price than if you were near a good junkyard, but it is often better than selling to an untrustworthy auto salvage yard.
How is the value of my vehicle determined?
Different junkyards may use different pricing techniques to value junk cars. But at the end of the day, the factors that determine a junk car value remain the same. The most important factors are the vehicle weight and local scrap metal prices. If the vehicle has salvageable parts that's a plus.
Are there any tools to calculate the value of a junk car?
Junkyards will use several tools to calculate salvage value. The most important is a junk car value calculator. This will take the vehicle's year, make, and model and cross-reference with the thousands of other cars just like yours. Then, they will determine the condition of the vehicle. Depending on the junkyard, you may want pictures or to see the car in person before making your final offer. It will ask about the parts, condition of the engine and transmission, mileage on the odometer, body condition, and interior condition. This is used to determine the car's scrap price by the junkyard.
How to get the most money when selling a junk car to a junkyard?
Below are the seven steps to get the most money when selling a junk car to a junkyard.
- Gather all necessary documents
- Contact the best junkyards near you for junk car quotes
- Examine and compare cash offers for junk cars from shortlisted junkyards
- Schedule junk car pick up or towing to the junkyard
- Finish the sale of the junk car to the junkyard
- Notify your state of the vehicle sale to the junkyard when required
- Consider a private sale or selling the vehicle to a junk car buyer
How much can I get for my junk car with no title from a junkyard?
If your state laws allow you to junk a car without a title, a junkyard usually pays less than a junk car with a title. It's hard to say what exactly junk yards will pay for a junk car with no title. We recommend that you call local junk car buyers to see their prices for a junk car with a title and one without a title.
Who gives a better offer, Junk Car Medics or a Junkyard?
When taking your vehicle to be scrapped, the last thing you want is a completely low and unfair offer. After considering all the work and business costs of scrapping one vehicle, you know not to expect a life-changing amount. But you still don't want to be taken advantage of by the scrap yard.
One way to get the most out of your scrap vehicle is by calling around different junkyards and getting a quote. You can often do this on a scrapyard's website or over the phone. If only a few are in your area, you may find the prices very close.
The second thing to consider is to find a local junkyard as close to you as possible. Whether hauling the car yourself or the salvage yard is picking it up, the fewer miles it travels, the better. Some scrapyards will give you a scrap value based on how many miles they must travel to pick it up.
You can also use Junk Car Medics to scrap your vehicle. When comparing Junk Car Medics vs Junkyards, Junk Car Medics is the best low-stress, hassle-free way to scrap your vehicle for a great offer. We can get you an instant offer in less than two minutes and have your vehicle picked up in only a couple of days!
