There are a number of factors that go into calculating how much your car is worth to the scrap market.
If you're thinking of scrapping your car and wondering what price you can get for it, read on to find out what factors might affect the final sum.
The make, model and age of your car
Luxury car brands tend to have higher-quality components and command higher scrap prices as a result. Similarly, some car models use components that have proved to be particularly reliable and popular, making them more valuable to the scrap market.
The high demand for discontinued or limited car models (due to the scarcity of their parts) can increase their price on the scrap market. Likewise, newer cars will have components that are in high demand due to an ongoing need for replacement parts, also driving up their scrap price.
The size and weight of your car
A car's size and weight are directly related to the volume of metal it contains and thus its scrap value. The bigger and heavier the car, the larger the price it commands on the scrap metal market.
Whether your car is damaged or has parts missing
Damage can affect the value of a car on the scrap market—the more damaged, the lower the value.
Conversely, the presence of reusable parts that are in good working order can have a positive impact. These components can be reused in other vehicles, increasing the value of the car you're selling for scrap.
Mileage can also affect scrap car value. As a general rule, fewer miles on the clock means less wear and tear on reusable parts, making them more valuable.
Whether your car has alloy wheels
It's no secret that alloy wheels are an attractive target for thieves, and unsurprisingly this is due to their value in the scrap market.
Alloy wheels are made from highly recyclable metals such as aluminium or magnesium. The wheels can also be recycled directly back into the car industry depending on their condition.
Whether the car's battery is present
Car batteries are packed with valuable components that can be recycled into new batteries, so cars are worth more to scrap yards if the battery if the battery is present.
By selling your old car (with battery intact) to an authorised treatment facility like ours, you're protecting the planet from dangerous waste materials and reducing the demand for new raw materials that have to be mined from the earth.
The current state of the scrap metal market
The scrap metal market is in constant flux. Not only are different metals worth different amounts to start with, prices change daily based on global market demand.
You can find a table of the latest estimated prices on our Scrap Metal Prices page, or you can contact us for up-to-date scrap metal prices.
Whether the car will start and drive
Ideally, you'll be able to bring your vehicle straight to us. If this is not possible, we can arrange scrap car collection; however, this is likely to reduce the amount we can pay you for your car. Your location and distance from us may also impact the price.
Get in touch today for the most accurate scrap car quote—if you can bring your car to us, we may be able to offer more!
