How Much Is Your Car Worth?

A few years ago selling a junk car for cash would net you enough for a weekend road trip. Today you’d hardly get enough to pay for a hotel room. What gives?

Cash for cars services (including Cash For Junk Wrecked Cars) didn’t suddenly start taking advantage of you. We’re facing a big problem: the price of scrap metal has plummeted in the last two years. The cars that auto salvage yards buy that have reached the end of their life are stripped of all materials and fluids and crushed, with the remains sold to a local shredder. We (and other junk car buyers) can't get nearly what we could previously. And it's a lot of work to tow a car, strip it and crush it believe it or not. Therefore the price we are able to offer to buy cars has reduced greatly.

But why are scrap metal prices suddenly so low even when compared to last years scrap car prices? How does that affect the junk car industry? And what can you do to ensure you get the highest value possible for your junk car? We have the answers.

HOW DOES SCRAP PRICES AFFECT THE VALUE OF MY JUNK CAR?

According to ETF.com, the average car contains 2,400 pounds of steel. The average truck contains 3,000 pounds. That accounts for about 55 percent of the car’s total weight. There’s also approximately 300 pounds of aluminum in the average vehicle.

When a car junker purchases your vehicle, what they’re really buying is the value of that scrap metal by the ton. Steel, aluminum, copper and other metals can be sold for cash to scrap metal dealers. Those scrap metal dealers, in turn, sell the metal to manufacturers who recycle the metal and turn it into new cars, building materials, wire, smartphones and other items we use every day.

The price for scrap metal varies based on demand. If car manufacturers aren’t making many cars, the price of steel and aluminum drops. If builders aren’t constructing new homes and apartment buildings, the price of metal also drops.

Right now demand for metal is low and supply is high. That means prices are low. In fact, the price of steel has fallen from $480 per ton in February 2015 to $50 in early 2016. You can see the precipitous drop in prices in this chart from Quandl:

Steel Price in USD from QuandlThe trend looks similar for aluminum, although it’s not nearly as alarming, as you can see on this chart from InvestmentMine.com:

Aluminum Prices From InfoMine.com

Why the sudden drop in metal prices? It has to do with what’s happening in countries all over the world.

WHY ARE SCRAP METAL PRICES CONSTANTLY CHANGING?

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HOW OFTEN CAN YOU EXPECT PRICES TO CHANGE?

RECENT INFORMATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL METAL MARKET

Metal is a commodity (a raw material for manufacturing or food products) that’s traded internationally. That means what’s happening in the world affects the prices. For years China’s economy was growing so rapidly it created high demand for steel, copper, aluminum and other metals. As its economy slowed from a sprint’s pace to a marathoner’s stride, demand for metals has also gone down, says an article on CNN Money.

However, that doesn’t mean China’s production of steel has slowed down. China has huge over capacities in steel making, says InvestmentMine. “This steel has to go somewhere and now it is going into the world market, where it depresses prices.”

China produces both finished and semi-finished steel says Platts, a leading global provider of energy and commodities information and benchmark price references. The semi-finished steel (also known as billet) has been used as a scrap substitute by steel mills in Turkey, the largest overseas buyer of U.S. scrap. Now that they’re opting for Chinese billet, U.S. scrap is left stranded on the east coast.

 InvestmentMine says the U.S. and EU have imposed huge import tariffs on steel to try and counter the influx of inexpensive materials from China. That’s helping, says Tolomeo, but it will still be a while before the entire U.S. steel supply chain sees sustained market improvement from these measures.

“Any time you’re trying to figure out what China is doing it’s a guessing game,” he says. “They have somewhere around 150 million metric tons of excess capacity. They seem to be getting more serious every day about rationalizing this capacity. But even if they’re serious about that and taking measures, it’s probably two to four years before the U.S. market sees a material impact.”

Thanks to the tariffs, there were slight upticks in the price of steel in February and March. If price increases can sustain themselves through June and July, Tolomeo thinks recent gains in U.S. scrap prices can be sustained.

“Most steel mills are tied pretty closely to the energy industry” because it’s a major consumer of U.S. steel, he says. If oil and gas prices go up and drilling increases, that may also help increase the demand for scrap steel. However, “overall fundamental demand probably won’t recover too much in 2016,” he reports.

The Wall Street Journal calls junk car dealers “the latest victims of the commodities bust.” They interviewed several auto scrap yard owners who confirm they’ve gone from paying consumers $400 for the average car to between $50 and $100. The Institute for Scrap Recycling Industries notes that 50 scrap metals yards have ceased operations altogether. Others have stopped selling cars and are simply stockpiling them until prices come back up.

Vehicle Average Offer Price

Acura Integra $118
acura tl $235
Audi A4 $200
Audi A4 $200
BMW 325i $200
BMW 530i $120
BMW X3 $140
BMW X5 $210
Buick Century $130
Buick LaCrosse $190
Buick LeSabre $135
Buick Park Avenue $135
Buick Regal $150
Buick Rendezvous $200
Buick Skylark $100
Cadillac Catera $169
Cadillac CTS $200
Cadillac DeVille $150
Cadillac Eldorado $125
Cadillac Escalade $250
Cadillac Seville $165
Chevrolet Blazer $150
Chevrolet Cavalier $125
Chevrolet Malibu $150
Chevrolet Suburban $250
Chevrolet Tahoe $250
Chevrolet Tracker $170
Chevrolet Trailblazer $200
Chevrolet Uplander $200
Chevrolet Venture $150
Chrysler 300 $150
Chrysler Cirrus $107
Chrysler Concorde $150
Chrysler New Yorker $100
Chrysler Pacifica $150
Chrysler PT Cruiser $150
Chrysler Sebring $150
Chrysler Town & Country $200
Dodge Avenger $200
Dodge Dakota $200
Dodge Durango $250
Dodge Grand Caravan $200
Dodge Intrepid $160
Dodge Neon $100
Dodge Ram $150
Dodge Stratus $125
Ford 500 $200
Ford Aerostar $200
Ford Aspire $100
Ford Contour $100
Ford Crown Victoria $150
Ford Escape $150
Ford Escort $93
Ford Expedition $250
Ford Explorer $200
Ford F-150 $200
Ford Focus $125
Ford Fusion $225
Ford Mustang $200
Ford Ranger $150
Ford Taurus $150
Ford Tempo $100
Ford Thunderbird $150
Ford Windstar $200
Geo Metro $100
Geo Prizm $100
GMC Jimmy $150
GMC Safari $160
GMC Sierra $200
GMC Sonoma $200
GMC Suburban $250
GMC Yukon $250
Honda Accord $150
Honda Civic $140
Honda Odyssey $250
Honda Prelude $130
Hyundai Accent $150
Hyundai Elantra $150
Hyundai Genesis $300
Hyundai Santa Fe $200
Hyundai Sonata $150
Hyundai Tiburon $125
Infiniti G20 $150
Infiniti I30 $150

G35 $160
Isuzu Ascender $200
Isuzu Axiom $200
Isuzu Rodeo $170
Jeep Grand Cherokee $250
Jeep Liberty $250
Kia Sportage $200
Lincoln Navigator $250
Lincoln Town Car $150
Mazda Protege $140
Mercedes Benz C-Class $200
Mercedes Benz M-Class $200
Mercedes Benz S-Class $200
Mercury Villager $150
Nissan Altima $140
Nissan Frontier $200
Nissan Maxima $140
Nissan Sentra $140
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme $100
Pontiac Grand Am $140
Pontiac Sunfire $100
Toyota Camry $100
Toyota Corolla $100
Toyota Land Cruiser $250
Toyota Sienna $200
Volkswagen Jetta $140

HOW TO UNDERSTANDING SCRAP METAL PRICES

Scrap metal prices vary on a nearly daily basis. They even vary in different parts of the country.  And obtaining accurate pricing can sometimes require a subscription service.

To give you an example of scrap metal prices we have pulled these numbers from Scrap Monster:

Steel - this is what the majority of your car is made of.

Aluminum - is used on various parts such as the engine, doors, hoods and rims.

Copper - located throughout in the wires of the car.

Lead - Sometimes found on the wheels and in the battery.

Platinum & Palladium - located within the catalytic converter.

Now you know what key factors can directly influence the cost and value of scrap metal. But how often do these changes really happen?

DAILY

Like gold and silver, scrap metal prices can change within the same day, often even several times. Have you ever tried to sell your junk car for cash? Were you told you’d receive a lower amount than what you were originally quoted? If so, it could be due to the change in prices.

WEEKLY

It is a lot more common to see scrap metal prices change weekly than daily. The changes are generally altered by a few cents per pound. Because of minimal price changes, many junk car buyers check scrap metal prices weekly and adjust their rates then. That is unless the change is drastic and will cause them to lose a lot of money.

MONTHLY

Monthly changes in scrap metal are often the most common. They’re also the best sign for the scrap metal industry and car owners trying to sell junk cars for cash. Monthly changes are typically very small which symbolizes a strong and stable economy.

HOW TO GET THE BEST SCRAP CAR PRICE PER TON FOR YOUR AUTOMOBILE?

Given all of this, how do you get the highest price possible for your junk car?

Are you wondering - "How much is my car worth in scrap?"

Here’s a simple list of things to consider if you’re wondering if you're being offered a fair price for your junk car when you are wondering how much I can get for my car.

1. KEEP TRACK OF CURRENT SCRAP PRICES

If you’re going to sell your junk car for cash, it’s best know some basics about current scrap metal prices. By keeping track of the most current rates, you can determine when you’ll get the most for your junk car. There are plenty of resources you can use to keep track. Here are some listed below:

• Use Applications – There is a mobile application for just about anything these days. If you’re looking for the going rate for scrap metal, check out the iScrap App. This application allows you to look at scrap metal prices based on your location. You can review what other scrap yards are advertising so you can get the best deal.
• Check the Stock Market – If you invest in the stock market you already have plenty of resources to use to determine the going rate in the US on any given day. Utilize those applications or resources to look up the price for the type of metal you want to sell.
• Contact a Junk Car Buyer – When you’re trying to get the best rate possible, you can contact a junk car buyer. They can tell you what the going rates are for scrap metal. Often, they can give you an accurate assessment of how much you could potentially get for your junk car.
• Create a Spreadsheet – Say you don’t scrap metal often and visit junk car buyers or scrap yards frequently. There are still ways to keep an eye on the pattern of scrap metal prices. Create a spreadsheet and make sure that it’s organized well. Write down the specific metals you’re interested in scrapping and the going rate. Try recording new information weekly so that you can get a clear understanding on the pattern of price changes.

2. WAITING ONLY MAKES YOUR JUNK CAR LESS VALUABLE

Many people hesitate before selling their scrap cars because of the prices. They may think that they’d like to repair or restore the car when they have more time or money, or might be able to find a buyer that wants the car. They might have ideas about stripping the car to get the maximum scrap value. It may even be a car that's in bad shape but still runs, and is held as a replacement in case the household’s primary vehicle dies.

See Our Resource Guide 

No matter the reason you’re storing an unused car on your property, it’s important to understand that the longer you wait to send your car to the salvage yard, the less it’s going to be worth. That’s because many parts on a car that isn’t running deteriorate quickly, and the parts that deteriorate the fastest are usually the most valuable parts on the car to a salvage yard.

When a car isn’t driven regularly, many of the supposed-to-be-moving parts break down. Rust will appear and spread ever faster. Anything made of rubber like window gaskets, hoses, belts, and tires will become brittle. All the fluids in the car will begin to settle out. Any gasoline left in the tank will absorb water from the air, and if the car is left out in the weather, the seats will fade and crack. Animals and other pests will even infest the car, and rodents will begin to chew the electronics, exposing the wires. Corrosion can degrade valuable parts like the starter motor and alternator until they’re only good for scrap.

Salvage Yards will often only offer you the scrap value of a car by weight if the car is inoperable and left outside. 

If you’re thinking of selling your unused car for junk, do it right away and tell the salvage yard that the car was on the road until recently to get a better car scrap value.

3. MAKE SURE YOU GET MORE IF YOUR CAR IS DRIVABLE

To a salvage yard, a car in running condition is always worth more than one that isn’t. First off, a car that runs won’t require towing in order to bring it to the salvage yard. Salvage Yards tow cars all the time, but any savings of time and trouble is worth some money to them so it will factor into the scrap prices for cars.

Salvage Yards also pay better scrap car prices if they can sell the vehicle at an auction. Not all cars bought by salvage yards are actually destined for the scrap heap. A car that's still in running condition is much more likely to be attractive auction buyers and those who buy junk cars because of the possibility it can be fixed up and sold. But unless your car is in exceptionally good shape, the salvage yard will probably sell it at auction as part of a group of cars. That spreads the risk for the auction buyer and seller, and that’s why you shouldn’t assume that just because your car is suitable for auction you could make a lot of money on it. You should, however, be able to get more than the scrap minimum from the salvage yard.

4. USE THE BLUE BOOK VALUE AS YOUR STARTING POINT

It’s easy and free to look up the resale value of your car if it was still running. But if you’re thinking of junking your car, don’t assume the salvage yard will pay anywhere near this price for you vehicle. The Blue Book value of a car assumes that it’s in good condition. If it were in the condition necessary to qualify for its maximum Blue Book condition, you wouldn’t be sending it to the salvage yard.

Even so, you can still use the Blue Book value as a rule of thumb to estimate whether the offer you’re receiving from the salvage yard is high enough. If you take your car’s potential Blue Book value, then subtract the cost of any repairs necessary to get it in sell-able shape, you’ll have a rough guide to estimating what the car might be worth if it’s sold at auction or repaired and flipped by the salvage yard.

5. SALVAGE PRICES ARE HIGHER THAN SCRAP PRICES FOR CARS

Remember: the scrap metal price for a car does not take into account the valuable components still on the car. If your car has re-usable parts like an alternator, a starter motor, an expensive on board GPS system, new tires, or anything else that is easily removed and resold, you should be able to get better than scrap steel prices for it. Keep in mind that all salvage operations involve labor for the scrapyard, and the risk and expense that comes with keeping inventory on hand, so don’t expect salvage yards to give you the full value of parts they sell. But you may be able to negotiate for up to half the value of the easily re-sold components.

6. USE THE WEIGHT OF YOUR CAR AS A LAST RESORT

When all else fails, you can use your vehicle’s curb weight as an estimate for its value as metal prices. The majority of the weight in your car is composed of steel. It’s fairly easy to determine the value of scrap steel at local recycling yards. Prices of around $150 per ton are common, so your average car is usually worth around $300 to a scrapyard. If you’re being offered scrap prices for a car that has potential for salvaged parts or even an auction sale, you should negotiate further with the salvage yard, or look for additional quotes.

7. NEVER ACCEPT A PRICE WITH CONDITIONS

Set a value when junking your car and stick to it. Then it’s smart to get as many quotes so you have various junk car prices from salvage yards as possible before making your decision. Simply ask them how much is a junk car worth. Some auto salvage yards near me have been known to give you a conditional price based on your description, and say they’ll inspect the car when they arrive to pick it up with their wrecker. Once the car is on the truck, they offer you a much lower figure than you agreed upon on the phone. All the pressure is on you to capitulate, because the car is already on their truck.

Don’t worry about missing out on a few more dollars if they ask to inspect your car first. Give the salvage yard a detailed description of your car and its condition, and accompany it with digital pictures if necessary. Ask for a firm scrap car price, and make them stick to it.

Cash For Junk Wrecked Cars® buys and removes junk cars all across Indianapolis, Indiana and all other major cities in a 75 mile radius.

Contact us today for your free quote!

Get your online quote by calling 317-909-2277 or filling out the form on this page!