Scrap (Junk) Car Value Calculator in 2022
Instantly calculate the value of your scrap car with our valuation calculator. Junk Car Medics uses state-of-the-art technology to determine a junk car's value. Get an instant offer using our calculator above or continue on to read about a car's scrap value.
How is the Scrap Value of a Car Calculated
Here are the factors that Junk Car Medics uses to calculate the value of a scrap car.
1. The Vehicle
Different vehicles have different values. Any scrap car appraiser will start with the year make and model of the vehicle being scrapped.
2. The Value of Your Car's Parts
Junk cars generally don't have much value beyond their weight in metal because they are usually cars that are really old or beyond repairable. Few of these cars still are on the road and the ones that are will be coming off soon. Therefore, the value in a junk car's parts doesn't really impact the overall's scrap car's value much. However, when there are reusable car parts they will definitely increase the value.
3. The Weight of Your Car and Value in Scrap Metal
This is the biggest factor in determining scrap car value. Every vehicle has value in scrap metal, no matter the condition or age. This is why you should never give your car away or believe someone if they tell you that your vehicle has no value. All metal has value.
In-Demand Car Parts Can Increase a Scrap Car's Value
Depending on your junk car’s overall condition, there may be other parts that have higher values than what they are worth simply as scrap, as long as they are in good condition, are in demand, and can be resold on the used parts market. Some automotive recycling yards sell these parts on the internet to buyers across the country. Others operate as “pick and pull” yards. These are self-service operations in which vehicles are parked in rows, allowing local customers to enter the grounds with their tools, browse through the current vehicle inventory, and remove the pieces they need.
Either way, items like these can be resold, and can make your junk car worth more than its pure scrap metal value:
- Engine
- Transmission
- Catalytic converters
- Battery
- Radiator
- Air conditioning components
- and much more!
The Value of the Metals In Your Car Impact Your Scrap Car's Value
After the reusable parts have been removed, the shell that is left will be flattened or crushed to take up less space. It is then fed into a giant shredding machine, which breaks it down into small chunks of metal. Additional processing separates these chunks of mixed metal into ferrous metals (iron and steel) and non-ferrous metals (aluminum and copper). All of these metals will be recycled into new raw materials, which will then be used in the manufacture of new cars and other products.
What this all means for the value of your junk car
What we end up with is an elaborate equation based on the amount of each type of metal in your specific year, make, and model vehicle, combined with that day’s market prices for each of those metals, plus the value of parts that can be removed and resold. To make things more complicated, there is not a single answer to the question, “What is my junk car worth?” Different scrap yards and junk car processors will give you different prices. That’s why it’s so important to shop around – and be sure to let us at Junk Car Medics give you a great price for your junk car!
Can I See National Scrap Car Prices When Using The Scrap Value Calculator?
No, the scrap value calculator will only produce a value for your junk car based on the factors mentioned above. You can check out our page on national scrap car prices. We'll keep you updated with the average price for various junk cars
How To Use Scrap Value Calculator To Get The Right Value Of Your Junk Car?
Using a scrap value calculator to get a price for your junk car is easy and fast. Plug in the year, make, and model of your vehicle and then answer a few questions about the overall condition of the vehicle. The calculator will quickly give you a price and this will help tell if you are getting the right price for your junk car.
We hope that this has given you a better understanding of how to calculate the price of a junk car. You should still shop around to know you are getting the right price for your junk car.
Bottom line, every junk car is different and will have its own unique value at any given point in time. You should still shop around to know you are getting the right price for you junk car.
Does The Scrap Value Calculator Adjust From The Increase In Prices Caused By The Pandemic?
Yes, the scrap value calculator adjusts to any changes in scrap metal prices including the ones caused by the pandemic. Learn more about how the pandemic increased demand for used auto parts.
