Car Scrap Value Calculator

Car Weight (kg):

Scrap Metal Price per kg ($):

Catalytic Converter Value ($):

Alloy Wheels Value (Set of 4) ($):

Battery Value ($):

Deduction for Non-Metal/Processing (%):

function calculateScrapValue() { var carWeight = parseFloat(document.getElementById('carWeight').value); var metalPricePerKg = parseFloat(document.getElementById('metalPricePerKg').value); var catalyticConverterValue = parseFloat(document.getElementById('catalyticConverterValue').value); var alloyWheelsValue = parseFloat(document.getElementById('alloyWheelsValue').value); var batteryValue = parseFloat(document.getElementById('batteryValue').value); var deductionPercentage = parseFloat(document.getElementById('deductionPercentage').value); if (isNaN(carWeight) || isNaN(metalPricePerKg) || isNaN(catalyticConverterValue) || isNaN(alloyWheelsValue) || isNaN(batteryValue) || isNaN(deductionPercentage) || carWeight <= 0 || metalPricePerKg <= 0 || deductionPercentage 100) { document.getElementById('result').innerHTML = "Please enter valid positive numbers for all fields. Deduction percentage must be between 0 and 100."; return; } var baseMetalValue = carWeight * metalPricePerKg; var additionalPartsValue = catalyticConverterValue + alloyWheelsValue + batteryValue; var subtotalValue = baseMetalValue + additionalPartsValue; var deductionAmount = subtotalValue * (deductionPercentage / 100); var totalScrapValue = subtotalValue – deductionAmount; document.getElementById('result').innerHTML = "Estimated Car Scrap Value: $" + totalScrapValue.toFixed(2) + ""; }

Understanding Your Car's Scrap Value

When your old car reaches the end of its life, selling it for scrap can be a practical way to recover some value. A car's scrap value is primarily determined by the weight of its metal components and the current market prices for those metals, but other valuable parts also play a significant role.

Key Factors Influencing Scrap Value:

Car Weight: This is the most crucial factor. The heavier your car, the more metal it contains, and thus, the higher its potential base scrap value. Most of a car's weight comes from steel, but other metals like aluminum are also present.
Scrap Metal Prices: The market price for scrap metal (steel, aluminum, copper) fluctuates daily based on global demand and supply. These prices directly impact how much a junkyard or recycler will pay per kilogram or pound of your car's metal.
Catalytic Converter: This component is highly valuable due to the precious metals it contains, such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium. Its value can vary significantly based on the make, model, and year of the car, as well as current precious metal prices.
Alloy Wheels: If your car has alloy wheels instead of standard steel wheels, they can fetch a higher price due to the aluminum content.
Battery: Car batteries contain lead and acid, which are recyclable and have a small but consistent scrap value.
Other Components: Some vehicles might have other valuable parts like alternators, starters, or even specific body panels if they are in good condition and can be resold. However, for a general scrap calculation, these are often factored into a general deduction.
Deductions for Non-Metal Parts & Processing: A significant portion of a car's weight is made up of non-metal materials (plastics, rubber, glass, fluids, upholstery). Recyclers also incur costs for draining fluids, dismantling, and processing. Therefore, a percentage deduction is typically applied to the gross metal value to account for these factors.

How to Use This Calculator:

Our Car Scrap Value Calculator helps you estimate how much your vehicle might be worth at a scrap yard. Simply input the estimated weight of your car (you can often find this in your car's manual or online specifications), the current scrap metal price per kilogram (which you can check with local scrap yards or online metal price indexes), and the estimated values for key components like the catalytic converter, alloy wheels, and battery. Finally, adjust the deduction percentage to reflect the non-metal parts and processing fees.

Maximizing Your Car's Scrap Value:

To get the best price for your scrap car, consider these tips:

Shop Around: Contact several local scrap yards or auto recyclers to compare their offers. Prices can vary.
Know Your Car's Weight: Accurate weight information helps ensure a fair quote.
Mention Valuable Parts: Specifically highlight if your car has an intact catalytic converter or alloy wheels, as these are significant value drivers.
Drain Fluids (Carefully): Some yards prefer or require fluids to be drained, but always check their policy first. Improper fluid disposal can be harmful to the environment and illegal.
Remove Personal Items: Before handing over your car, ensure all personal belongings and important documents are removed.

Remember, this calculator provides an estimate. The final price will depend on the specific recycler, the actual condition of your vehicle, and real-time market prices.