Junk Car Value Guide
Junk Car Value by Weight
Most of a junk car's baseline value is steel, so curb weight is the biggest single factor. Here's the value by vehicle class, scrap-only and total.
Quick answer: value by weight
- ✓A compact car (~2,800 lb) is worth roughly $200–$350; a full-size truck (~4,800 lb) runs $450–$900 or more.
- ✓Scrap steel runs about $150–$260 a ton, so each 1,000 lb adds roughly $75–$130 of baseline value.
- ✓Weight sets the floor; the catalytic converter, running condition, and reusable parts decide where you land in the range.
A junk car is mostly steel, and steel is sold by the ton — so the heavier your vehicle, the higher its starting value. Weight alone won't tell you the final offer, but it sets the baseline that everything else builds on. This table shows the scrap-only value by vehicle class and a typical total once a catalytic converter and reusable parts are factored in.
Junk car value by weight class
| Vehicle class | Typical weight | Scrap-only | Typical total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact car | ≈2,800 lb | $210–$365 | $200–$450 |
| Midsize sedan | ≈3,300 lb | $245–$430 | $275–$600 |
| Full-size sedan | ≈3,900 lb | $290–$505 | $325–$700 |
| Small SUV / crossover | ≈3,700 lb | $275–$480 | $325–$675 |
| Large SUV | ≈5,400 lb | $405–$700 | $475–$1,050 |
| Pickup truck | ≈4,800 lb | $360–$625 | $450–$950 |
| Minivan | ≈4,500 lb | $340–$585 | $375–$800 |
Estimates only. Scrap baseline uses ~$150–$260/ton; total adds typical converter and parts value for a complete vehicle. Actual offers vary with daily scrap prices, your exact model, and local demand.
Why weight matters — but isn't everything
Weight sets the floor because scrap steel is priced by the ton. But two cars of identical weight can be worth very different amounts: a complete car with a running engine and an intact catalytic converter can be worth hundreds more than a stripped hull of the same weight. Think of weight as the starting line, then add for the converter, working drivetrain, and resellable parts. That's why a heavy SUV missing its converter can quote below a lighter, complete sedan.
Value by Weight — FAQ
Q: How much is a junk car worth per pound?
Scrap steel runs roughly $150–$260 a ton, which works out to about 7.5 to 13 cents a pound. A 3,300-lb sedan is therefore worth about $245–$430 in steel alone, before parts and the catalytic converter are added.
Q: Do heavier cars always get higher offers?
At the baseline, yes — more steel means more scrap value. But a complete lighter car with its converter and a running engine can out-earn a heavier car that's been stripped, because parts and the converter often add more than raw weight.
Q: Where do I find my car's curb weight?
Check the driver's door jamb sticker, your owner's manual, or a quick search of your year, make, and model. Curb weight is the empty weight scrap value is calculated from.
Q: How do I turn a weight estimate into a real offer?
Use our junk car value calculator to combine weight with condition and converter status, then get a quote from a licensed yard. The yard factors in your exact model and current prices for a firm number.