If your car is old, damaged or non-running, you may be wondering: is my car worth more as scrap than selling or repairing it? There are several factors that contribute to the price paid for a scrap car, and we will explore in these in this blog so that you can make the right decision for your car (and your bank account!).
What Factors Influence Scrap Value?
- Weight & Size: Heavier, larger cars are usually worth more as they can yield more metal for the scrappers.
- Demand: Luxury or rare cars and popular models (think Fiesta, Corsa, Golf) have a high demand for parts which increases their value.
- Condition: A complete car with working essential parts (like a battery, engine and gearbox) will be worth more than a damaged car that is stripped down or rusted out.
- Current Scrap Metal Prices: Prices of scrap metal can fluctuate and influence the amount you get for your scrap car.
When Is a Car Worth More as Scrap?
- Major Damage: If repairs cost more than the car’s resale value, scrapping is the smarter choice.
- MOT Failure: If your car has failed its MOT due to structural or emissions issues, it can be incredibly expensive to fix and scrapping may be a better option.
- Age or High Milage: If you have an older car that is no longer in demand on the used market, your resale value will probably be low and it is best to scrap the car instead.
- Parts in High Demand: If your car is a popular model, its engine, alloys and body panels can be very valuable to buyers who need replacements.
In general, if your car is a popular model with working parts or a large vehicle that can offer lots of metal, it has good scrap potential. However, if your car is neither large or a popular model, a running car can usually get you more when sold than it can as scrap.
At A&L, we have been responsibly scrapping and recycling cars for over 10 years, so you can trust us to make the scrapping process as hassle-free and transparent as possible.
If you want to check how much your car could be worth, click the button below to generate a FREE instant quote for your vehicle.
Get a Scrap Car Quote
