Find it in the owner's manual or the maker's spec sheet. For scale, the average new vehicle sold in 2024 weighed 4,354 pounds, and the average new pickup about 1,700 pounds more than the average sedan (EPA).
National average for a whole car with tires: about $184 a ton (iScrapApp, October 28, 2026). Yards recently reported anywhere from $140 to $235. Use your local yard's price if you have it.
How scrap value works
A junk car sold for scrap is priced mostly by weight: the car's weight in tons times what yards are paying per ton for whole cars. That's the number the calculator gives you.
- Weight × price. A 3,400-pound car is 1.7 tons. At $184 a ton, that's about $313 in metal.
- Towing. If the buyer picks it up, expect that cost to come out of the offer.
- Parts and condition. A car that runs, or has a good engine, transmission or catalytic converter, can bring more than metal value, especially from a parts recycler or a private buyer.
- Title. Without a title, most buyers can't take it at all. See no-title options.
Get real quotes
Call two or three licensed yards near you and ask what they pay per ton for a whole car, whether they tow, and what they need from you. Prices move with the steel market, and yards differ.
Common questions
How much is a junk car worth for scrap?
Roughly its weight in tons times the going price per ton. At the late-October 2026 national average of about $184 a ton for a whole car with tires, a 3,400-pound car is worth about $313 in metal, before towing.
How much do junkyards pay per ton for cars?
Yards reporting to iScrapApp in October 2026 ranged from about $140 to $235 a ton, with a national average near $184 for a whole car with tires. Call local yards for their current price.
Is selling for scrap the best option?
Not always. A car that runs, or has valuable parts, can bring more from a parts buyer or a private sale. Compare options in sell, junk, part out or donate.
Checked against official sources on October 28, 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency or business before you act.