Current scrap car prices per ton & metal valuation benchmarks.
When a vehicle is completely inoperable, wrecked, or stripped of resale utility, its value comes down to one thing: scrap metal weight. Here is how junkyards calculate scrap vehicle prices per ton, current shredded auto steel benchmarks, and how to maximize your net payout without paying towing fees.
$140 – $240/ton national benchmarks Paid by check at pickup 100% free flatbed towing
Quick Answer: In 2026, wholesale auto scrap prices range between $140 and $240 per ton (2,000 lbs) of prepared shredded steel. For an average 3,400-lb sedan, raw scrap metal weight establishes a $240 to $410 baseline floor before precious metals or core parts are added.
Scrap Yard vs. JunkStar Buyout: Driving your own car onto a commercial scrap yard scale only pays raw shred weight, and if you require a flatbed tow, local towing companies charge $100–$200 against your payout. JunkStar partners with specialized auto recyclers who factor in catalytic precious metals and parts demand, paying you by corporate check directly at pickup with 100% free towing.
- Shredded auto scrap currently trades at $140–$240/ton; heavy full-size trucks carry 2.5–3.1 tons of raw steel ($350–$740 metal floor).
- Catalytic converters contain platinum, palladium, and rhodium, adding $150–$400+ over the raw metal baseline.
- Non-ferrous metals (aluminum engine blocks, copper wiring, brass radiator cores) boost payout beyond base iron weight.
- Local scrap yards deduct scale fees or reject cars without tires; JunkStar winches locked or wheel-less cars for free.
- JunkStar pays you by official corporate business check directly at pickup before loading the vehicle.
The commodity math
How the scrap metal market calculates your vehicle’s weight.
Every passenger automobile is roughly 65% ferrous steel and cast iron, 10–12% non-ferrous metals (cast aluminum wheels, copper wiring harnesses, zinc brackets), and 20–25% non-metallic materials (safety glass, rubber tires, seating foam, dash plastics).
Industrial scrap recyclers evaluate crushed car bodies using the net ton (2,000 lbs) or gross ton (2,240 lbs) benchmark. When a car arrives at an auto shredder, giant 4,000-horsepower hammer mills shred the entire chassis into fist-sized chunks within seconds. Magnetic drums separate the steel, while eddy-current separators pull out aluminum and copper.
To see how this weight baseline compares to running parts and whole-car offers, read our detailed guide on how much junkyards pay for cars and our seasonal timing analysis.
Weight & value benchmarks
Average scrap value by vehicle category.
| Vehicle Class & Common Models | Average Curb Weight | Net Steel Tonnage | Raw Scrap Metal Floor ($160/ton) | JunkStar Total Buyout (Paid by Check at Pickup) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact Car (Civic, Corolla, Focus) | 2,600 – 3,000 lbs | 1.3 – 1.5 tons | $210 – $240 | $300 – $600 (Parts + free tow) |
| Midsize Sedan (Camry, Accord, Malibu) | 3,200 – 3,700 lbs | 1.6 – 1.85 tons | $255 – $295 | $400 – $800 (Paid by check at pickup) |
| Crossover / Minivan (CR-V, Caravan, RAV4) | 3,800 – 4,500 lbs | 1.9 – 2.25 tons | $305 – $360 | $450 – $950 (Free flatbed removal) |
| Full-Size Truck / SUV (F-150, Tahoe, Silverado) | 4,800 – 6,200 lbs | 2.4 – 3.1 tons | $385 – $495 | $500 – $1,400+ (Heavy frame + V8 parts) |
| Heavy Commercial / Van (E-350, Express 2500) | 5,500 – 6,800 lbs | 2.75 – 3.4 tons | $440 – $545 | $600 – $1,600+ (Max iron & driveline value) |
Raw scrap metal floors reflect $160/ton net auto shred commodity average. JunkStar buyouts include catalytic value and free nationwide towing.
Scrap value components
What parts of a car carry the highest scrap price?
OEM catalytic converters
The single most valuable scrap component by weight. Ceramic honeycomb substrates inside contain precious metals (platinum, palladium, and rhodium) that recyclers extract for industrial re-refining, adding $150 to $400+ to your payout.
Cast aluminum alloy wheels
Aluminum trades at $0.45 to $0.75 per pound on industrial recycling markets—more than quadruple the price of ferrous steel. A set of 4 factory alloy wheels adds significant value compared to basic stamped steel rims.
Lead-acid starter battery
Car batteries contain 20 to 30 pounds of recyclable lead and sulfuric acid. Battery cores carry a standalone scrap value of $15 to $30 and should always remain inside the car to keep your quote firm.
Heavy steel frame & subframe
Pickup trucks and full-size SUVs built on body-on-frame platforms contain thick channel steel rails and heavy rear axles that maximize tonnage on industrial scrap scales.
The scrapyard towing trap
Why delivering to a scrap yard often nets you less cash.
Sellers frequently think: 'If I bypass middle buyers and haul my car directly to the scrap metal yard, I will get the absolute highest price.' While that sounds logical, the logistical costs almost always backfire.
Commercial scrap yards operate for industrial contractors with 18-wheelers, not private individuals. If your car does not run, you must hire a local flatbed tow truck to take it to the yard, costing $125 to $200 out of pocket. If the yard quotes $320 in scrap metal, after paying the tow operator you walk away with barely $120 to $170 for hours of hassle.
Furthermore, many industrial yards charge 'tire processing fees' of $5 to $10 per rubber tire or reject vehicles that haven't had hazardous gas tanks punctured. With JunkStar, towing is 100% free nationwide, and payment is handed to you by corporate check directly at pickup.
Common questions