How much is my junk car worth?
Most junk cars are worth somewhere between pure scrap value and a much higher number for a running, in-demand car. Here's what moves the figure and how to estimate yours.
Last updated June 2026
The five things that set the price
Junk car value comes down to: the car's weight (more recyclable steel), whether it runs, its title status, whether the catalytic converter is still attached, and local scrap prices and demand. Weight and the converter set a floor; running condition and a clean title add a premium on top.
That is why two cars of the same age can be worth very different amounts - a running sedan with a clean title is worth far more than the same model sitting dead with no title.
Scrap floor vs. resale premium
Think of value in two layers. The scrap floor is what a recycler always pays for the metal plus the converter. The resale premium is the extra a buyer pays because the car (or its parts) can be resold. Dead, no-title cars sit near the floor; clean, running cars climb well above it.
Frequently asked questions
Roughly $150 to $700 for a typical non-running car, and more for a heavier or running vehicle with the catalytic converter intact. Use the calculator for a number specific to your car.
See what your car is worth
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