Scrap Car Value Calculator
Find out what your car is worth in scrap metal. Pick your exact vehicle or enter its weight — the calculator uses manufacturer curb weights and the current national scrap rate.
Not sure? Look up your vehicle's weight.
Estimated scrap value
—
Choose a vehicle or enter a weight
- Weight
- —
- Rate (Feb 2026)
- $185/ton
- Formula
- lbs ÷ 2,000 × $/ton
This is the metal floor. Complete cars usually get more from buyers because the parts have value too.
Get real offers for your car →How Scrap Car Value Is Calculated
Scrap yards buy end-of-life cars by weight. The calculation is simple:
Curb weight (lbs) ÷ 2,000 × price per ton = scrap value
A 3,200 lb sedan at the February 2026 national average of $185 per ton is worth about $295 in scrap. Because yards pay between $86 and $236 a ton depending on region and how complete the car is, the realistic range for that sedan is $140 to $380.
Weights come from the Teoalida Year-Make-Model-Trim Basic Specs database (68,561 trims, 1990–2027 models). The rate comes from our monthly scrap car price tracker.
Scrap value of common vehicles
| Vehicle | Typical curb weight | Scrap value |
|---|---|---|
| Honda Civic | 2,767 lb | $120–$325 |
| Toyota Corolla | 2,800 lb | $120–$330 |
| Toyota Camry | 3,300 lb | $140–$390 |
| Honda Accord | 3,239 lb | $140–$380 |
| Nissan Altima | 3,244 lb | $140–$385 |
| Ford Escape | 3,464 lb | $150–$410 |
| Honda CR-V | 3,459 lb | $150–$410 |
| Toyota Prius | 3,050 lb | $130–$360 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | 4,545 lb | $195–$535 |
| Ford Explorer | 4,345 lb | $185–$515 |
| Ford F-150 | 4,881 lb | $210–$575 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 4,965 lb | $215–$585 |
Median curb weight across all model years. Pick the exact trim above for your car.
Scrap Value Is the Floor, Not the Offer
Scrap value only counts the metal. A junk car buyer also looks at what can be resold: the engine, transmission, catalytic converter, alternator, wheels and body panels. That is why most junk cars sold through Reap My Ride get $300 to $1,500, often well above the scrap number above.
Scrap value matters most when the car is a stripped shell, badly burned, or missing its major components. For anything more complete, compare offers before you scrap it. See how junk car prices work.
What Else Affects Your Car's Value
Condition
Running vehicles are worth 2 to 5x more than non-runners. A car that starts and drives, even with issues, commands a premium because more components are verified working.
High · $200–$2,000+ difference
Completeness
A car with all major parts (engine, transmission, catalytic converter, battery, wheels) is worth far more than one that's been stripped. A missing catalytic converter alone can reduce value by $50 to $250.
High · $150–$500+ difference
Vehicle Size & Weight
Heavier vehicles contain more recyclable metal. A 5,000-lb truck has nearly twice the scrap metal value of a 2,800-lb compact. Curb weight sets the floor price.
High · $100–$400+ difference
Make, Model & Parts Demand
Popular models like Honda Civics, Toyota Camrys, and Ford F-150s have higher parts demand, which increases their salvage value. Rare or imported vehicles may have less demand.
Medium · $50–$300 difference
Your Location
Junk car prices vary by region. Cities near steel mills, ports, and recycler hubs pay more due to lower transport costs and higher competition among buyers.
Medium · $50–$200 difference
Year & Mileage
Newer vehicles (2010+) generally have more valuable parts. But age matters less than condition: a well-maintained 2005 can outvalue a wrecked 2018. High mileage reduces resale but not scrap value.
Low–Medium · $25–$200 difference
Scrap Calculator Questions
How accurate is this scrap value calculator?
It is accurate for what it measures: the value of the metal. It multiplies the manufacturer curb weight of your exact trim by the national average scrap rate for February 2026 ($185/ton). What a yard actually pays per ton varies by region, by how complete the car is, and by the week, which is why the result is shown as a range.
What if my car isn’t listed?
Use the “Enter the weight” tab. Your curb weight is in the owner’s manual or on the manufacturer’s spec sheet; the door-jamb sticker shows GVWR, which is higher than curb weight. Our vehicle weight lookup covers 1990 to 2027 models.
How often does the scrap rate change?
Scrap steel prices move with global demand and the season, usually by a few percent a month. The rate used here is the national average from our scrap car price tracker, last updated February 2026.
Should I scrap my car or sell it to a junk car buyer?
If the car is a stripped shell, scrap value is what it is worth. If the engine, transmission, catalytic converter and wheels are still on it, buyers usually pay more than scrap because they can resell parts. Getting offers is free, so it is worth comparing before you scrap.
Is the scrap value what I will be paid?
Not necessarily. Scrap value is the floor. Most junk cars sold through Reap My Ride get $300 to $1,500 depending on condition, size and parts. A yard will also deduct towing if you sell to it directly; buyers on Reap My Ride cover the tow.
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