The most common question people ask before scrapping a car is a simple one: what will I actually get for it? The honest answer is that it depends on several factors — but the two biggest are your car's weight and the current price of steel. This guide explains how scrap values are calculated and what you can do to make sure you are not leaving money on the table.
Quick estimate: Most standard UK cars weigh between 1,000 and 1,800 kg. At current steel prices, that typically puts the base scrap value somewhere between £150 and £400 — before adjustments for the catalytic converter, battery and condition.
The biggest factor: weight and steel price
Scrap cars are priced primarily by weight. A dealer pays a rate per tonne for the crushed metal, and that rate tracks the live price of steel on the commodities market. When steel prices rise, scrap car prices go up. When they fall, quotes drop.
This means two identical cars in the same condition can fetch different prices if you get quotes in different months. It also means that a heavier car is generally worth more for scrap than a lighter one, even if the lighter car is newer or in better condition.
What else affects the price?
The catalytic converter
The catalytic converter contains small amounts of platinum, palladium and rhodium — precious metals that are worth considerably more per kilogram than scrap steel. Most dealers factor the cat into their quote automatically, but the value varies depending on the type of vehicle. Diesel cars tend to have larger cats than petrol cars. Some makes — particularly Japanese brands such as Honda and Toyota — are known for higher-value cats due to the metal content and purity.
Do not remove the catalytic converter before collection. Dealers price on the assumption that the cat is in place, and removing it will result in a lower offer and may cause issues at handover.
The battery
A standard 12V lead-acid battery has scrap value in itself. For conventional petrol and diesel cars this is a small factor. For hybrid and electric vehicles it is significant — EV battery packs can be worth hundreds of pounds depending on their condition, size and whether a buyer can be found for reuse. See our guide: What is an electric car worth for scrap?
Whether the car runs
A non-running car is worth slightly less than a running one, partly because the dealer cannot drive it off and partly because non-runners sometimes have components already stripped. The difference is usually small — around £20 to £50 — but it is worth declaring the condition accurately when getting quotes. See our guide: How to scrap a car that does not run.
Make, model and age
These factors matter less than most people expect for scrap value specifically, because once a car is crushed and processed it is just metal. That said, some makes have more valuable cats (as noted above) and some models weigh significantly more than others. A large SUV or estate will generally fetch more than a small city car of the same age.
Condition of parts
If your car has parts in good condition — alloy wheels, recently replaced tyres, a working gearbox, interior trim — these may be saleable separately, which could increase the total amount you receive. Some dealers or dismantlers will pay more for a car they can part-out. Most scrap-only dealers will not factor this in, but it is worth checking whether a dismantler in your area is interested.
Typical scrap prices by car size (2026)
| Car type | Typical weight | Approximate scrap value |
|---|---|---|
| Small city car (e.g. Fiat 500, VW Polo) | 950 to 1,150 kg | £150 to £220 |
| Medium hatchback (e.g. Ford Focus, VW Golf) | 1,200 to 1,450 kg | £200 to £280 |
| Large saloon or estate (e.g. BMW 5 Series) | 1,500 to 1,900 kg | £250 to £380 |
| Large SUV or 4x4 (e.g. Land Rover Discovery) | 1,800 to 2,500 kg | £320 to £500 |
| Electric vehicle (battery included) | 1,600 to 2,500 kg | £300 to £600+ |
These are estimates only. The actual price you receive will depend on live metal prices at the time of collection, your exact car specification, and the dealer you use. Getting multiple quotes is the only way to be sure you are getting the best price available.
Why do quotes vary between dealers?
Different scrap dealers have different operating costs, different access to processing facilities, and different collection routes. A dealer whose truck is already passing your area that day may offer more because their costs are lower. A dealer in a busy urban area may offer more than one based in a rural location.
The variation between quotes for the same car can easily be £30 to £80. Comparing at least three quotes before accepting is good practice and takes less than a minute if you use a comparison service.
How to get the best scrap price
- Compare multiple dealers at once rather than accepting the first offer
- Leave the catalytic converter in place
- Make sure the battery is still fitted
- Declare the condition accurately — a car described as running that turns out to be a non-runner may receive a revised (lower) offer on collection
- Check whether a local dismantler would pay more for the parts than a scrap dealer would for the whole car
- Get quotes when steel prices are higher — though timing the market is difficult, prices do fluctuate
Will I get the quoted price on the day?
In almost all cases, yes — provided the car is as described. Reputable dealers lock in the price when you accept a quote. The main reasons a dealer might adjust a quote on collection are: the catalytic converter or battery has been removed, the car is in significantly worse condition than stated, or the mileage or specification is different from what was declared.
If a dealer tries to reduce the price without a genuine reason, you are under no obligation to proceed. You can refuse collection and seek another quote.
Is the scrap price the same as the car's value?
Not necessarily. If your car is old but still running and roadworthy, it may be worth more sold privately or part-exchanged at a dealer than scrapped. Scrap value is the floor — the minimum the car is worth as raw material. It is only the right route if the car is at or near end of life and not worth repairing. See our guide: Scrap vs part exchange: which gets you more?