Chart that describes the types of vehicle weights

How Vehicle Weight Impacts The Value of a Junk Car

The heavier a vehicle is, the more valuable it is in terms of weight and ferrous metals. These metals can be recycled for further use, such as manufacturing new steel frames or different household appliances. Other aspects of a vehicle are important as well and play a part in determining value, though weight is a solid foundation on which junk car buyers can build a final offer.

As vehicles continue to weigh more on average each year, they become more valuable as sources from which to recycle metal and other reusable components. This not only benefits consumers by decreasing repair costs and saves the industry money by providing a cheaper source of metal components, but it also helps the environment by reducing the impact of having to mine raw materials and use energy to form them into steel, iron, and other metals.

Let's take a look at how the vehicle's weight impacts the value of scrap and junk cars.

Page Navigation
    Add a header to begin generating the table of contents

    The Role of Vehicle Weight in Determining Scrap Car Values

    The heavier a junk car's weight is, the more metal it has. This metal is valuable to junk car buyers, as it can be sold to be recycled and reused. Heavier cars, therefore, bring in more money due to larger steel frames and more iron and aluminum within the body.

    Depending on what the scrap metal prices are doing at the moment, as they can fluctuate similarly to the stock market, the junk car buyer may be able to offer hundreds more for a heavy-duty truck. These trucks have thousands of pounds of steel and iron, which provide them a higher resale value to a junk car buyer based on weight alone, not even factoring in the valuable components such as the engine, transmission, and various internal pieces that can be salvaged and resold. 

    Vehicle Weight Average Value
    Subcompact Car (Ford Fiesta) 2,600 lbs $215-$250
    Midsize Car (Camry, Accord) 3,300 lbs $275-$350
    Midsize SUV (Pilot, Traverse) 4,000-6,000 lbs $330-$500
    Truck (Ford F-150) 5,000-5,500 lbs $400-$500

    Vehicle weight is the most important among the factors that impact scrap car prices.

    View Scrap Car Values by Vehicle Weight (Class)

    The scrap value of a vehicle can vary significantly among different car classes, as brands and models contain varying amounts of metals due to size differences. This is a crucial consideration when determining the price of a scrap car.

    Let's explore the current scrap metal pricing per ton for a few standard car classes.

    Vehicle Type Average Weight (lbs) Estimated Scrap Value per Ton ($200/ton) Example Model Model Weight (lbs) Model Estimated Scrap Value Average Payment We Make Reason for Value
    Compact Cars 2,900 $290 2005 Honda Civic 2,600 $260 $460.94 Value in parts like transmission and engine
    Sedans 3,300 $330 2006 Nissan Altima 3,100 $310 $336.12 High demand for parts
    SUVs 4,500 $450 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4,300 $430 $375.48 Condition and specific part demand
    Trucks 5,500 $550 2005 Ford F-150 5,200 $520 $696.41 Sturdy build and valuable parts
    Vans 4,800 $480 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser 3,123 $312.30 $345.88 Unique design and refurbishable parts

    Our data clearly shows a correlation between a vehicle's weight and its scrap value. Heavier vehicles, like trucks and SUVs, tend to have higher scrap values due to their substantial weight. For instance, a truck averaging 5,500 lbs has an estimated scrap value of $550, significantly higher than a compact car weighing around 2,900 lbs, valued at about $290. This trend is consistent across vehicle classes, underlining the importance of weight in determining scrap car values.

    Local scrap prices are dependent upon current supply and demand, as well as the particular constraints of the business model run by the junk car buyer. Vehicles that are newer and that have in-demand parts will bring in more value for the owner.

    How Much Does Your Junk Car Weigh?

    To determine how much your car weighs, there are several options. The easiest way to find out how many tons a car weighs is to look for a sticker on the inside of the driver's side door. This should have information on the curb weight and the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). You can look at the owner's manual or the manufacturer's website as well. There are also car comparison websites, separate from the manufacturer's site, that will allow you to find the curb weight and the GVWR on your car. Many scrap yards and truck stops have a scale to weigh vehicles on if you need an exact measurement.

    Junk vehicles tend to fall between the 3,000-5,000 pound range, which includes sedans, SUVs, and trucks. These typical passenger vehicles are found in many households across the country, which therefore makes them the most likely to be sold to a junk car buyer at the end of the vehicle's life.

    Here are some weights of common vehicles.

    Vehicle Curb Weight (2000) Curb Weight (2023)
    Honda Accord 2,954 lbs 3,239 lbs
    Ford F-150 3,923 lbs 4,021 lbs
    Toyota Rav4 2,668 lbs 3,370 lbs
    Nissan Altima 2,933 lbs 3,244 lbs

    How do you calculate the scrap car value by weight?

    To calculate the value by weight you must first determine how much your vehicle weighs and then get the local scrap price per ton for cars.  Then multiply the two.

    To determine how much your car weighs, there are several options. The easiest way to find out how many tons a car weighs is to look for a sticker on the inside of the driver's side door. This should have information on the curb weight and the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). You can look at the owner's manual or the manufacturer's website as well. There are also car comparison websites, separate from the manufacturer's site, that will allow you to find the curb weight and the GVWR on your car. Many scrap yards and truck stops have a scale to weigh vehicles on if you need an exact measurement.

    Once you have your vehicle's weight you need to find local scrap car prices per ton. You can get this in one of 2 ways. First, you can call local junkyards or online junk car buyeres to see what they are paying. Second, you can call local metal recycling facilities to see their values per ton.

    Next you'll want to calculate the value.  To do this multiply the vehicle's weight by your local per ton price.

    You will want to use an online junk car value calculator like the one we offer to get an estimate as well.

    What is the Metal Composition of Vehicles?

    It should come as no surprise that vehicles are mainly made up of metal components. The frame of the car itself, for instance, is made from steel. The exact amount of metal found in a vehicle will depend on its make and model and even the year it was manufactured. In the average passenger car, there is around 65% of steel and iron, of which around 25% of the steel has been recycled. The remaining 35% of a vehicle's weight is in other materials, such as cloth, leather, glass, and plastic.

    Breakdown of scrap metal in a 2014 Honda Civic scrap car

    What Metals Are In Your Junk Car?

    According to the World Steel Association, 55% of a vehicle's weight in metal comes from steel. The chassis and body of vehicles are made up of steel, as this is a sturdy and relatively inexpensive metal to build with. Aluminum is another popular choice in the automobile industry when it comes to manufacturing vehicles, as it's lighter than steel and just as durable, if not more. 

    Other metals that can be found in a junk car, in lesser quantities, include copper, lead, platinum, palladium, and rhodium. The latter three are found in catalytic converters. Magnesium and titanium may be found in some vehicles, though generally only in higher-end performance cars.

    When it comes to determining metal classifications, all metal falls into one of two categories: ferrous and non-ferrous. Ferrous metals are the most common recycled metals and include iron and steel. Most of the metal from a scrap car can be sorted into a ferrous pile. Non-ferrous metal includes brass, nickel, gold, tin, and other rarer forms of metal. 

    Why Is It Important to Know a Car's Weight When Junking a Car?

    Every junk car seller should know their vehicle's weight before selling it. It's important to know the car's weight when junking it as this helps to secure the best possible price for the junk car, as prices can be largely dependent on weight, as well as a variety of other factors.

    To secure the best scrap value for your vehicle, it's important to know a few things before you inquire about an offer from a junk car buyer. You should have the following information on hand before you sell.

    • Model, make, year
    • Weight 
    • Odometer reading
    • Condition 

    A car's weight plays an important factor in determining the junk car price. Heavier cars will bring in more than lighter cars, as a general rule of thumb. The heavier a vehicle is, the more weight in metal it has. This generally comes from the larger, more robust frame. This weight determines how much a vehicle can bring in when it's inevitably crushed and sent to the metal shredder at a recycling facility. 

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has noted that the average weight of vehicles has slowly been creeping upward over the years. This means that it's very likely that a newer 4-door sedan weighs more than one manufacturer a decade ago. Weight will vary significantly depending on the type of vehicle, such as a compact car versus a truck or a full-size SUV. 

    If you already know the weight of your vehicle, you may be able to negotiate slightly with a junk car buyer. Professional buying services should offer a fair price without requiring any further negotiations, however. Some buyers may be taken aback by a junk car owner who knows the weight of the vehicle and its importance in the process of valuing the vehicle. 

    How Weight Affects the Environmental Impact of a Junk Car

    The weight of a vehicle influences its environmental impact. Heavier vehicles typically have a larger carbon footprint due to increased energy consumption. However, they also contain more recyclable materials, which adds value for junk car buyers. As SUVs become more popular, the environmental and recycling implications of vehicle weight gain importance.