Scrap car prices in 2026
A typical junk car brings about $205 to $520 as scrap. That is $165 per ton of recoverable metal - about $115 per ton of the car's weight - plus the catalytic converter.
Last updated October 2026 (scrap price estimate set August 2026)
Scrap car prices by car type
A car that doesn't run, clean title, catalytic converter still on, at our national rate. The scrap price is a range because yards weigh, deduct and pay differently; the top of it is the metal plus the converter.
| Car type | Scrap price | If it runs, up to | Weight | Metal | Converter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact care.g. Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla | $205 - $255 | $335 | 2,900 lb | $165 | $90 |
| Midsize care.g. Toyota Camry, Honda Accord | $225 - $280 | $365 | 3,300 lb | $190 | $90 |
| Full-size care.g. Chevrolet Impala, Ford Taurus | $290 - $365 | $475 | 3,900 lb | $225 | $140 |
| Small SUVe.g. Honda CR-V, Ford Escape | $235 - $290 | $380 | 3,500 lb | $200 | $90 |
| Midsize SUVe.g. Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee | $310 - $390 | $505 | 4,300 lb | $250 | $140 |
| Minivane.g. Honda Odyssey, Dodge Grand Caravan | $315 - $395 | $510 | 4,400 lb | $255 | $140 |
| Light pickupe.g. Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | $380 - $475 | $620 | 4,800 lb | $275 | $200 |
| Large SUVe.g. Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition | $415 - $520 | $675 | 5,500 lb | $320 | $200 |
For your exact make, model and condition, the car scrap value calculator runs the same math and shows each line.
Scrap car price per ton
Yards pay by weight. We estimate $165 per ton (2,000 lb) of recoverable metal as of August 2026. We count about 70% of a car's weight as metal a yard can sell - the rest is glass, plastic, fluids and fabric - so per ton of the whole car it comes to about $115. A 3,300 lb midsize car is 1.65 tons: about $190 of metal plus a $90 converter.
| Region | Per ton of metal | Per ton of car | Midsize car, scrap |
|---|---|---|---|
| MidwestOhio, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri | $178 | $125 | up to $295 |
| NortheastNew York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New England | $170 | $119 | up to $285 |
| SouthTexas, Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas | $165 | $115 | up to $280 |
| WestCalifornia, Arizona, Colorado, Washington | $160 | $112 | up to $275 |
Our regional adjustment is small, from 3% below to 8% above the national rate; prices from one yard to the next often differ by more. For yards in your state and what they pay, see junkyards that buy cars, by state.
The catalytic converter
The converter is often the most valuable single part. In a whole-car price we count the middle of its range; sold on its own, a converter can bring more or less, depending on the exact unit and current precious-metal prices.
| Engine | In the car's price | Sold on its own |
|---|---|---|
| 3 or 4 cylinder | $90 | $55 - $145 |
| V6 | $140 | $85 - $225 |
| V8 / large or dual | $200 | $120 - $320 |
More on this in what your catalytic converter is worth.
What lowers a scrap price
- No converter. A quote without it can be $90 to $200 lower.
- Towing deducted. Ask whether pickup is free; many buyers tow at no charge.
- Lighter than you think. The yard pays on its scale weight, not the brochure weight, and a car missing its engine or wheels weighs less.
- Title problems. Without a title fewer yards will take the car - see how to junk a car without a title.
Scrap price or a buyer's offer?
The scrap price is the floor. A car that runs, or has parts people want, is worth more to a buyer who resells it: a midsize car that runs goes up to about $365 in our estimate against $280 as scrap. See who pays the most for junk cars and how the national buyers compare.
Where these numbers come from
The prices are our own estimate, dated at the top of this page, not a quote and not a paid index. As a ceiling we use the government figure: the USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 estimates the 2025 average price of No. 1 heavy melting steel scrap delivered to mills at $319 per metric ton (about $289 per short ton). A seller gets less than that, because the yard's margin, transport and processing come out first. The full method is on how we calculate your offer.
Frequently asked questions
Our estimate is $165 per ton of recoverable metal as of August 2026. We count about 70% of a car's weight as metal a yard can sell, so that works out to roughly $115 per ton of the car's own weight, before the catalytic converter. Yards price by the ton on their scale and change their price weekly, so treat this as a guide.
See the price for your car
Your make, model and condition, with the scrap math shown - then a real offer if you want one. Peddle tows for free and pays at pickup.
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