Junkyards, often referred to as the graveyard of automobiles, serve as the final resting place for vehicles of all ages and conditions. Whether your car is old or has had a short life, junkyards are willing to pay for it to be used as a scrap vehicle or crushed for scrap metal. But how much do junkyards actually pay for cars?
Junkyards take various factors into account when determining the value of a junk car. These factors include the condition of your vehicle, its weight, your location, and its demand in the market. By considering these factors, junkyards will make you an offer for your clunker.
If you find yourself in a situation where your vehicle is no longer functional or viable for selling or trading to a dealership, selling it to a junkyard might be your best option. Doing so can provide you with fast cash, saving you from the headache of dealing with an unsellable car. On average, junkyards pay between $100 and $500 for cars.
Naturally, a running car will fetch a higher price compared to a car missing essential parts or components. Running cars have some scrap part value, which adds to their overall worth before they are crushed for their scrap metal. Conversely, non-running vehicles are typically weighed, and their value is based on the current scrap metal prices.
Let’s consider two examples to better understand how prices are determined. A 1989 Toyota Celica in poor condition, incapable of running and missing several parts, would fetch you between $50 and $125. This estimate accounts for body damage and even a missing wheel and tire. In this case, the scrapyard would crush the vehicle.
On the other hand, a 2010 Ford F-150, although not suitable for daily driving, can earn you nearly $1000 if it is in running condition. This is mainly due to the salvaged parts that can be resold, contributing to the overall profit generated from the vehicle. Additionally, its weight is higher than that of the Toyota, resulting in a higher scrap metal price when it is dismantled.
You may find the initial offer from the junkyard surprisingly low. It’s important to note that junkyards don’t base their offers on the market value of a vehicle. As the car will no longer be used for transportation, its scrap value can be as low as 20% of the Blue Book value of a similar used car in good condition.
For running vehicles, junkyards consider the potential profit from reselling the parts. If the car has rare parts in high demand, you may receive a better offer. However, if the junkyard already has a surplus of parts for an old car like yours, the price will be lower.
Non-running vehicles are purchased by scrapyards for their metal. The car is weighed, and you are paid based on the percentage of metal in your vehicle. The make and model of the car, as well as data from similar vehicles, are used to determine its value.
Junkyards also take into account the costs they incur when buying your junk car. If you don’t bring the vehicle to them, they have to arrange for its pickup, incurring towing costs. Additionally, they have storage and inventory expenses, as well as labor costs for dismantling the vehicle. As a business, these costs are factored into the offer they make to you.
Unfortunately, some junkyards intentionally offer low prices, taking advantage of their position as the only scrapyard in the area. In such cases, it’s advisable to look for a company that is willing to travel to pick up your vehicle. While you might receive a lower price than if you were near a reputable junkyard, it will still be a better option than selling to an untrustworthy auto salvage yard.
To determine the value of your car, junkyards typically use a salvage value calculator. This tool considers the year, make, and model of your vehicle, comparing it with thousands of others. Additionally, the condition of the vehicle is assessed, and some junkyards may require pictures or an in-person viewing before making a final offer. They will also inquire about the parts, engine and transmission condition, mileage, body condition, and interior condition to provide you with the best possible offer.
Now that you understand how junkyards determine prices, let’s explore how you can maximize your earnings when selling a junk car to a junkyard. Here are seven steps to follow:
- Gather all necessary documents.
- Contact the best junkyards near you and request quotes.
- Examine and compare the cash offers from different junkyards.
- Schedule the pick-up or towing of your junk car to the chosen junkyard.
- Complete the sale of your junk car.
- Notify your state about the vehicle sale if required.
- Consider private sales or selling the vehicle to a junk car buyer.
If your state allows you to sell a car without a title, a junkyard will typically offer less money for it compared to a car with a title. It’s challenging to provide an exact estimate for how much they will pay for a car without a title. To get the best price, we recommend contacting local junk car buyers to inquire about their rates for both titled and untitled junk cars.
When scrapping your vehicle, you certainly don’t want to receive an unjustly low offer. While it’s important to realize that scrapping a car won’t bring in a life-changing sum of money, you still deserve a fair deal. One way to achieve this is by contacting multiple junkyards and obtaining quotes. Most scrapyards allow you to do this through their websites or over the phone. If there are only a few junkyards in your area, the prices may be quite similar.
Additionally, try finding a junkyard as close to you as possible. Whether you deliver the car yourself or the junkyard arranges for its pickup, shorter distances are preferable. Some scrapyards even offer a scrap value based on the number of miles they have to travel to collect the vehicle.
You can also simplify the process by using Junk Car Medics. When comparing Junk Car Medics to traditional junkyards, you’ll find that Junk Car Medics offers a stress-free way to scrap your vehicle while providing you with a great offer. In under two minutes, you can receive an instant quote, and your vehicle can be picked up within a couple of days.
By following these strategies and tips, you can ensure that you make the most out of scrapping your vehicle and receive a fair offer from a reputable junkyard.
