Scrap yards typically pay $150 to $500 for complete junk cars, based primarily on weight and current metal prices. Pure scrap yards focus on metal value rather than parts, so they often pay less than salvage yards or junk car buyers who resell components.
Scrap yard pricing factors:
- Vehicle weight (primary factor, typically $0.05 to $0.12 per pound)
- Current scrap steel and aluminum prices
- Whether fluids need draining (adds processing cost)
- Presence of catalytic converter (adds $50 to $200+)
- Towing distance if they provide pickup
A 3,000-pound car at $0.08 per pound yields $240 in base scrap value. Add value for the catalytic converter and aluminum components, subtract processing costs, and the yard might offer $200 to $350.
Scrap yards pay by weight because that’s their business model. They crush cars and sell baled metal to recyclers. They don’t typically remove and resell parts, so a working engine has no extra value to them.
For better prices, compare scrap yards to junk car buyers. Salvage operations that sell parts often pay more for complete vehicles. Learn whether a junk car buyer or scrap yard is better for your specific vehicle.
