So, you’ve got an old car. Maybe it doesn’t start anymore, maybe it’s been in an accident, or maybe it's just not worth the repair bills anymore. Whatever the case, it’s reached the end of the road and you’re thinking, "Can I sell this car for scrap?"
Companies that buy junk cars specialize in purchasing these vehicles, extracting valuable components, and recycling the remaining materials.
The answer is: absolutely. But how much you get—and how much hassle you deal with depends on how you go about it. This guide covers everything you need to know about scrapping your car in 2025, from pricing to paperwork to the best-selling options.
When you sell a car for scrap, you’re essentially selling it for parts and recyclable metal. Scrap yards, also called auto recyclers or junkyards, strip the vehicle of valuable components—like the engine, catalytic converter, and aluminum rims—and then recycle the remaining metal by weight.
The great news? Even a completely non-running car still has value.
Not all junk cars are created equal. Your payout depends on several key factors:
The average scrap car payout ranges from $300 to $750 depending on size, condition, and market prices. Some newer vehicles or heavy-duty trucks can go for $1,000 or more if high-value parts are intact.
For a stripped or severely damaged shell, the price could dip closer to $150–$250.
Try this instant calculator for a real-time quote:
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Knowing metal prices helps you understand your car’s baseline value. Here are updated averages per pound:
Metal | Price Per Pound |
---|---|
Aluminum | $0.93 |
Aluminum Alloy | $0.81 |
Copper | $3.50 |
Brass | $2.65 |
Lead | $0.86 |
Nickel | $8.93 |
Tin | $11.29 |
Zinc | $1.00 |
Steel Scrap | $0.16 |
Steel Rebar | $0.26 |
Metal | Price Per Pound |
---|---|
#1 Bundle | $0.09 |
#1 Busheling | $0.09 |
#1 HMS | $0.07 |
HMS 80/20 | $0.06 |
Sheet Metal | $0.05 |
Shredded Auto Scrap | $0.07 |
Structural Steel | $0.07 |
Metal | Price Per Pound |
---|---|
Aluminum 1100 | $0.64 |
Aluminum 3003 | $0.64 |
Aluminum 356 Wheels (clean) | $0.64 |
Aluminum 356 Wheels (dirty) | $0.45 |
Aluminum 5052 Scrap | $0.86 |
Aluminum 6061 Extrusions | $0.57 |
Aluminum 6063 Extrusions | $0.75 |
Aluminum 6063 Extrusions/Fe | $0.55 |
Aluminum/Cu Radiators | $1.50 |
Aluminum/Cu/Fe Radiators | $1.39 |
Aluminum Radiators | $0.36 |
Aluminum/Fe Radiators | $0.27 |
Transformers | $0.16 |
Breakage 50% Recovery | $0.20 |
Chrome Wheels | $0.60 |
E.C. Wire | $0.99 |
Litho Sheets | $0.64 |
Mixed Turnings | $0.37 |
MLC Clips | $0.63 |
Aluminum Old Cast | $0.61 |
Aluminum Old Sheet | $0.60 |
Painted Siding | $0.59 |
UBC | $0.63 |
Zorba 90% NF | $0.60 |
Aluminum Cans (clean) | $0.46 |
Aluminum Cans (dirty) | $0.23 |
Metal | Price Per Pound |
---|---|
Red Brass | $1.80 |
Yellow Brass | $1.69 |
Brass Rod | $1.65 |
Brass Hair Wire | $1.78 |
Brass Pipe | $1.61 |
Brass Radiators | $1.37 |
Brass Shells | $1.53 |
Brass Turnings | $1.56 |
Bronze | $1.86 |
Bronze Turnings | $0.97 |
Dirty Brass | $0.81 |
Dirty Brass Radiators | $0.81 |
Plumbers Brass | $1.61 |
Semi-Red Brass | $1.64 |
Metal | Price Per Pound |
---|---|
#1 Bare Bright Copper Wire | $3.06 |
#1 Copper Tubing | $2.86 |
#1 Flashing Copper | $2.86 |
#2 Copper Tubing | $2.69 |
#2/3 Mix Copper | $2.61 |
#3 Copper with Tar | $2.45 |
#3 Roofing Copper | $2.53 |
Dirty Roofing Copper | $2.37 |
Electric Motors - Copper | $2.12 |
Enameled Copper | $2.41 |
Insulated Copper Wire | $2.45 |
Lead Coated Copper | $2.07 |
Silver Plated Copper | $2.61 |
Tin Coated Copper | $2.29 |
Tin Insulated Copper Wire | $2.29 |
Metal | Price Per Pound |
---|---|
Lead Batteries | $0.18 |
Lead Shot | $0.41 |
Lead Wheel Weights | $0.26 |
Solid Lead | $0.54 |
Soft Lead | $0.56 |
Metal | Price Per Pound |
---|---|
New Zinc Die Cast | $0.62 |
Old Zinc Die Cast | $0.53 |
Metal | Price per Gram |
---|---|
Palladium | 30.03 |
Platinum | 22.18 |
Silver | 0.58 |
Kindly note that the prices provided in this guide are general indicators and are subject to variation based on factors such as location, vehicle condition, weight, and the current market conditions. Moreover, it's crucial to be aware of any specific regulations or requirements in your state or local area regarding the sale of junk cars.
You’re able to scrap a car anywhere if you can prove that you’re the owner of the vehicle. Most states will allow you to present the vehicle’s registration, along with your driver’s license, in the event that you don’t have its title. Not having the title, however, will in fact have an impact on the value of the vehicle you’re trying to scrap.
Things that aren’t valid proofs of ownership are:
A bill of sale because they can be forged easily.
Proof of insurance because it’s within possibility to insure a vehicle that is not your own.
Cash and bribery because the salvage yard is required to report every car that comes into their possession.
A scrap car is any vehicle that is old, damaged, or otherwise at the end of its life and set to be processed by a licensed metal recycler. Most scrap cars register a high-mileage and structural or mechanical damage accumulated over a 15-20 year time period.
These vehicles are solely worth the materials that they’re made of. Some older cars, due to their components and low mileage, may hold a higher value, regardless of their age. Take a look at our instant value calculator and pinpoint what your scrap car is worth near you.
However, if your vehicle’s best years are behind it, continue reading and find out how to get the most money selling your car conveniently.
So how much to scrap a car? If you have a damaged, wrecked or broken-down car that’s relatively new, you’re in luck. At DamagedCars, we buy junk cars online, at no cost to you.
Parting out your vehicle — as opposed to selling it wholesale — is one way to get significantly more money for your scrap vehicle. If you dismantle then sell the individual parts, you can triple the revenue you gain, but it also requires more time and effort on your part.
Not every component of your vehicle is worth hundreds of dollars if sold individually. Those that are, though, are the ones you should be keen on parting out. Some parts will contain precious metals, like platinum and gold, that catch the eye of prospective buyers.
Some of the most valuable parts on a car to scrap are:
Catalytic converter
Engine
GPS system
Fenders
Doors, mirrors and windows
Bumpers
Airbags
Car battery
Electrical parts
Wheels, tires and rims
Car seats
There’s a wide range of how much a used car engine can net you, with the average being somewhere between $3,000-$5,000. If you’ve got the equipment to remove your engine, you can make a decent profit if it’s in working condition.
On average, a catalytic converter sells for between $800 and $1,200, with the vehicle’s make and model being a big factor to its value. Also, the bigger the car, the bigger the engine, and the more expensive the catalytic converter.
The typical going price for a used transmission is anywhere between $800 and $1400, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. This is, of course, just the selling price of the unit and not the cost of any additional labor needed to part it out.
It can take several months to sell all the parts from your vehicle. You’ll have a hollowed out shell still needing to be hauled off once everything is sold. You’re going to need extra time and expertise on your hands in order to break down your vehicle without damaging any of the individual components.
Time is money too, so selling your clunker online can still earn you a pretty penny without the hassle. At DamagedCars, we buy vehicles in all conditions and always work hard towards getting our clients the best possible deal.
The process of scrapping your car is rather straight-forward:
Get a quote from different buyers
Compare pricing
Schedule pickup
Prepare the paperwork
Hand over the keys
Get handed back the cash!
If you know you’ve got working parts in your vehicle, you can always try to negotiate a better price with the buyer. That said, a scrap yard won’t really care if you’re selling a car without a converter because they determine value by weight.
A platform like DamagedCars, though, will factor in the presence of a working catalytic converter and increase the amount the vehicle is worth overall. Get a free offer today for your junk car.
If you’re wondering how much a scrap car is worth per ton, you need to look at current scrap metal prices. Right now, you can expect roughly $200 per ton in your vehicle. That means you might get around $400 for the average car — more if you have a bigger, heavier vehicle.
DamagedCars can help you get fast payment with FREE towing and title transfer included. We’ll make an offer in 90 seconds, and help you schedule your free towing in just 24 to 48 hours after you accept our offer. Get an offer from us today and get paid fast.
Since average scrap steel prices are around $200 per ton, you can expect between $400 and $600 for your non-working, non-running vehicle, depending on whether it’s a car, truck, van or SUV. However, steel prices fluctuate constantly, so you might get a different price for your car depending on what the market is currently doing.
DamagedCars can help calculate scrap vehicle prices for you in today’s market in just 90 seconds and give you an offer for your car fast. Our offers always include free towing and title transfer, so you don’t have to pay anything to scrap your car with our service. Just collect your check when we pick up the car!
Sometimes a business may charge you towing costs to scrap your vehicle, especially if it doesn’t drive. This can eat into potential profits from selling the vehicle, however, so you should avoid it when possible.
If you get an offer with DamagedCars, we guarantee FREE towing with all our offers, along with free title transfer and fast pickups near you.
You can easily figure out what scrap car prices near you are doing by getting an offer with DamagedCars. Our prices take the current scrap market into account, so you know you’re getting decent car recycling prices no matter what. Best of all, we include free towing with all our offers, so you won’t pay a dime to use our service.
If you need to trash your scrap car, you can find out the current scrap metal prices in your area by comparing quotes from multiple different yards. However, this can be time-consuming.
DamagedCars can help you quickly find the best offer from partners in your area looking for vehicles that meet your description, and our offers always include free towing and title transfer. Get an offer in 90 seconds and get paid in 24-48 business hours for your scrap car now!