How Much Do Scrap Yards Pay for Used Cars that Still Run?

How Much Do Scrap Yards Pay For Used Cars That Still Run?

When selling a used vehicle for scrap at a junkyard, scrap car buyers take a lot of issues into consideration when determining its estimated price. How do scrap car removal companies establish a price for used cars? What’s the difference when pricing running old vehicles compared to scrapping cars? How would a running auto be priced?

It would depend on a variety of factors, mostly relying on the vehicle’s value and overall condition. While some offers would normally cost less than half of the market value, those mainly pertain to end-of-life automobiles. Running vehicles will most likely get you more cash, as they tend to have more valuable parts that junkers can profit from.

How do scrap car removal companies base their pricing on used vehicles?

In most cases, companies use various institutions such as the Canada Black Book and the Kelley Blue Book to determine the current market value of vehicles and then calculate it accordingly to industry standards. Depending on the scrap car removal company you’re dealing with, junk cars are sometimes worth 20 % to 40% of the current market value. Cars that are turned in are also cross-checked to determine an accurate market price.

Scrap car buyers also look for the following when determining the price of a used vehicle:

  • The car’s make, model, and year: This information is important when pricing a used car because junkers determine what kinds of parts will be available for salvage, especially for functioning vehicles. The more pristine car parts and accessories are available, the more your used vehicle will be worth.
  • Vehicle weight: A car’s weight affects its price as well, as junkers can determine the amount of metal that they can salvage. Running vehicles would more than likely cost more than scrap cars because they weigh more due to the amount of metal left in the car.
  • The current value of scrap metal: Another factor that would significantly affect the price of a used vehicle is the recent value and demand for scrap metal. It’s better to do your own research as well as to have a more favorable negotiation with the scrap car buyer.

How are cars that run priced at a scrap yard?

Scrap car buyers determine the price of running vehicles in the same way mentioned above, but they also adjust the price according to the useful parts and materials they might find on your car.

Some parts that scrap car buyers look for in a running vehicle include the following:

Running engine:

Your car’s engine is one of the most important parts a junker looks for in a vehicle. Moreover, if it’s from a newer model and is under 150,000 km, you can expect or negotiate a better offer from your buyer.

Wheels:

Aluminum wheels, depending on their condition, could be of use for scrap yards and so they inspect those on your vehicle as well. They are either resold or salvaged by the scrap yard.

Lights:

All kinds of car lights—headlights and taillights—are mostly in demand on the market. Obviously, junkers take advantage of used vehicles’ remaining lights and resell them.


DO YOU HAVE A CAR TO SCRAP?

Fill out this form to get an instant quote!


    What’s the difference between the price of running cars compared to scrapping them?

    Junkers oftentimes sell functioning or running cars for higher prices than scrap cars, as they are oftentimes still equipped with valuable parts and materials that junkers salvage or re-sell for additional revenue. Scrap cars, on the other hand, are oftentimes only based on their weight and the amount of scrap metal left available on the vehicle.

    Scrap cars, for the most part, are offered with a starting industry average price of $300 to $1,000. For running vehicles, you can expect a higher offer, but it would still depend on the overall condition of the vehicle and the available parts and materials. If you’re looking for a fair and accurate estimation of your vehicle that you want to take to a scrap yard, fill out our online quotation form and reach out to us at info@towingandscrapcarremoval.ca or (647)-957-8305, and we’ll offer top dollar for your scrap car—or running auto. We look forward to doing business with you!

    1. I have a Lexus ES 300 year 2002.
      It runs but battery is dead at the moment. The body has rust. Engine, transmission, is working.

    2. 2010 Jeep Patriot
      Alloy rims
      Rusting
      Was running until today when I turned it on and some smoke come from under the hood that is very likely the starter.
      200,000km

      Location: L9L1G6

          1. I have a 2007 Ford fusion V6 four door Se the only thing wrong with it is it needs a transmission mount and it has 210000 miles on it

    3. I have 2005 BMW X5 With almost 300000 K Working fine now looking to get rid of it before it breaks on me

    4. I have a 2007 Honda Accord SE with 277500 KM on it. The car is in a good shape with new tires and battery with a brand new remote starter. No mechanical fault is there on the car.

        1. Hi, I have a 2002 Honda accord V6 limited edition. Runs great but frame is rotted and is not road worthy or able to drive.

        2. Hi!
          I have ford focus 2010 running without any problem tires are almost new
          Rock panels are rusty and has tire sensor monitor fault sign on dashboard and no other sign. Has two remote with remote starter and soon it need starter.
          Spend $1000 one month back on it to fix tie rod and brakes .

    5. Have a Cadillac STS running needs battery replaced 2006 with 110,000 kms.

    6. 2008 Nissan Altima 3.5L V6. 216,000kms. Running. Minor rust. Brand new rear brakes. Catalytic converter replaced within last 6 years. High end Alloy rims.

    7. Hello there,
      I have a BUICK CENTURY 1999 model, the car is running, transmission working perfectly, A/C working perfectly, the odometer is not working but its around 150000 km. There is a leakage in the radiator and I don’t want to fix that. Send me your offer.

    8. What is the price paid for 2003 Ford Explorer 4WD? Small rust, new muffler, needs battery, as is

    9. I have a 2011 Chevy Equinox
      I think it just needs a timing chain but other than that it works and has a new engine
      There’s a tiny bit of rust I think

    10. 2017 dodge ram 1500
      Curious if you’re interested in it. It’s been in an accident driver side messed up. Hit a pool.
      Everything inside is basically mint condition. Highway driven. I just can’t afford to fix it.

    11. I have a 2004 Toyota tundra limited edition 4 wheel drive. Power stirring gone. What approximately would you buy it for?

    12. Have a 2001 Honda accord, 4cyl. 225km. It runs, catalytic converter is missing.

    13. 2007 Chevy cobalt ls. Exterior has some damage, brand new rad, 4 brand new all season tires, 4 new winter tires

    14. 2002 corolla one owner no accidents little rust many new parts good tires 430000klm with ac working runs and drives great want to sell what is your price

    15. I have a 2006 Subaru baja with 320,000km on it. New engine with 70,000km on it. Runs and drives fine. Trying to get rid of it as I had an accident which pushed the rear passenger door in

    16. I have a Honda pilot 2007, something is wrong with the circuit, it has a brand new battery, 4 winter tyres along with summer tyres,just changed the calliper, spark plugs and coil…everything else is working fine…

    17. 2007 Mazda B4000 4×4
      226043KM

      The good: It’s running great: engine, transmission (4×4 Hi and Lo), brakes, all working as it should, decent all season tires with an extra set of rims. Trailer hitch, Air Conditioning, Cruise Control, Stereo, Fun little truck.

      Problems I know of:
      Box is rusted out at front of box, (new box or convert to flat deck?) some significant rust on frame at box mounts, may need a shackle, may need a sway bar, Some rust on body, mainly on rockers, (doesn’t penetrate cab that I can see or smell when driving). Service comments from oil change: Trans Cooler line leak, Driver Rear Shock Leak, Trans Pan Gasket Sweat

      Still insured and registered so we can deliver to an area you service.

      We have sellers package from MTO.

      We were trying to sell on kijiji but just kept getting fishy responses. (trade offers for a laundry list of items, requests to borrow our plates, etc.)

      We’d be interested in your offer.

    18. 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA TOURING GLS
      330000 km
      Runs perfectly
      Back windsheild wiper broken
      Trunk door hydraulics broken
      Additional Summer Tires & Rims

    19. 2007 saturn outlook. It looks great inside out, very well took care of it. Still running.mileage is 150000k. But the wheel is pretty stiff to drive. How much can I get?

    20. I have a Nissan Altima 2011 with 210,000km. Engine runs but exhaust is noisy and brakes aren’t great.

    21. Got a 2009 hyundai santafe, 250000 kms, it runs but when it gets to operating temperature it starts to have misfires.

    22. I have a 2007 Honda Civic LX 1.8L
      Four doors with 310000 km. Engine & transmission are working. Some rust just on the outside of the body. I want to sell this car just because I have another car now and I have no more driveway room for my civic.

    23. Jeep compass 2011 2,4
      185 xxx
      Transmission dead, everything else is good

    24. I have a 2008 Hyundai entourage van it still runs and has about 280000kms on It

    25. I have 2 non runing vehicles (could run, but been sitting for years.) 2000 buick century, and 2002 kia sedona (ownership in hand) I have a running but required parts to mAKE ROAD worthy..2010 Chev HHR 160,000 km

    26. I have a Nissan Sentra year 2005 . The car is still running 196 K location in Ajax. Just because it is old and because we see rust we decided to go for a new car.

    27. The car is still on the road everything works no rust has sunroof and leather heated seats. New battery alternator starter and front tires.

    28. hi i have a BMW x5
      400k battery is dead but engine and transmission still running body is mint

    29. 2003 infinity g35 4 door car is still being used driven daily from Burlington to Stoney creek. Nothing wrong with the engine aluminium wheels and fairly new tires. Will be getting new ride some time next week

    30. I have a Ford Freestar – Engine is amazing (replaced annd low mileage) and everything works. New alternator. Needs a torque converter and a few basic maintenance touches.

    31. Hi, I have a 2001 Honda CR-V EX AWD, the exhaust is broken but can easily be welded back on, the passenger door handle is broken but can still be opened, and the driver-side window does not roll down. Everything else works well, still runs well, has no problems, has never broken down, etc.

    32. I have a 2002 gmc sierra 1500 5.3L its runs very good transmission just isn’t the greatest anymore and it has a decent amount of rust