Junk car calculator
Estimate what your car is worth as scrap in about 20 seconds. Pick the year, make and model, and the calculator multiplies its curb weight by current scrap prices, then adjusts for the catalytic converter and missing parts.
Scrap prices: October 2026, our range based on iScrapApp and ScrapMonster data. Curb weights come from NHTSA crash-test records. About our data. This is an estimate, not an offer.
How the calculator works
Find the weight
We look up the car's curb weight in NHTSA crash-test records. Of the 5,649 model years in the calculator, 1,702 have a published weight and 524 use the same model within two years. The rest fall back to a typical weight for the body type.
Multiply by the scrap price
Weight in tons (pounds ÷ 2,000) times $140–$200 per ton, our October 2026 range for whole cars at U.S. yards. Enter your local yard's price to use that instead.
Adjust for parts
An original catalytic converter adds about $50–$250. A missing engine or transmission removes about 400 pounds, and parts buyers may offer $100–$500 less.
Worked example: 2007 Toyota Camry
Curb weight 3,210 lb = 1.60 tons. At $160 per ton that's $257 of metal. With the original catalytic converter (about $125), a likely scrap value is around $380, within a range of $275–$570.
Scrap value of commonly junked cars
Estimates for popular models, using each one's NHTSA curb weight and October 2026 prices. Converter not included. Click a car for its specs, recalls and a free offer.
| Car | Curb weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 Honda Civic | 2,750 lb | $195 | $220 | $275 |
| 2011 Toyota Corolla | 2,750 lb | $195 | $220 | $275 |
| 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt | 2,820 lb | $195 | $225 | $280 |
| 2007 Honda Accord | 3,040 lb | $215 | $245 | $305 |
| 2008 Nissan Altima | 3,200 lb | $225 | $255 | $320 |
| 2007 Toyota Camry | 3,210 lb | $225 | $255 | $320 |
| 2006 Chevrolet Malibu | 3,250 lb | $230 | $260 | $325 |
| 2006 Ford Taurus | 3,410 lb | $240 | $275 | $340 |
| 2006 Toyota RAV4 | 3,520 lb | $245 | $280 | $350 |
| 2006 Chevrolet Impala | 3,560 lb | $250 | $285 | $355 |
| 2008 Ford Escape | 3,590 lb | $250 | $285 | $360 |
| 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 4,150 lb | $290 | $330 | $415 |
| 2006 Ford Crown Victoria | 4,160 lb | $290 | $335 | $415 |
| 2011 Honda Odyssey | 4,350 lb | $305 | $350 | $435 |
| 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan | 4,450 lb | $310 | $355 | $445 |
| 2006 Chevrolet Silverado | 4,570 lb | $320 | $365 | $455 |
| 2006 Ford F-150 | 5,160 lb | $360 | $415 | $515 |
| 2006 Chevrolet Tahoe | 5,340 lb | $375 | $425 | $535 |
Typical scrap value by vehicle type
Based on the median curb weight of each body type in our NHTSA data and October 2026 prices of $140, $160 and $200 per ton.
| Vehicle type | Typical weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small car / coupe | 3,040 lb | $213 | $243 | $304 |
| Compact or midsize sedan | 3,331 lb | $233 | $266 | $333 |
| Large sedan | 3,725 lb | $261 | $298 | $373 |
| Station wagon | 3,146 lb | $220 | $252 | $315 |
| SUV | 4,180 lb | $293 | $334 | $418 |
| Minivan | 4,420 lb | $309 | $354 | $442 |
| Pickup truck | 5,164 lb | $361 | $413 | $516 |
| Full-size van | 5,372 lb | $376 | $430 | $537 |
Scrap value only. Add $50–$250 for an original catalytic converter (CashAutoSalvage).
Current scrap car prices
The calculator's range comes from these published figures. Scrap prices follow steel markets and can move quickly, so we review them every quarter.
| Source | What it reports |
|---|---|
| iScrapApp | Complete car national average $183.63/ton, Oct 24, 2026; yard reports $140–$240/ton |
| ScrapMonster | Car bodies (unclean) U.S. average $140/net ton, Sep 24, 2026 |
| Our range | $140–$200 per ton, typical $160 (7.0–10.0¢ per pound) |
What raises or lowers a junk car offer
Weight
The biggest factor for a car with no resale value. A full-size pickup can carry nearly twice the metal of a compact car.
Scrap prices
Yards pay what steel mills pay them, minus their costs. Prices differ by region and change month to month.
Catalytic converter
It contains platinum-group metals. An original converter is worth far more than an aftermarket one, and a missing one lowers the offer.
Condition and demand
A car that runs, or a common model with parts in demand, can be worth more than scrap because buyers resell it or its parts.
Missing parts
No engine, transmission, wheels or battery means less metal and fewer parts to resell.
Title and location
A clean title in your name gets the most offers. Long tows from rural areas can lower what a buyer pays.
Ways to get rid of a junk car
| Option | How you're paid | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Scrap yard | By weight, at the yard's price per ton | Many yards want you to deliver the car. Find one with the junkyard finder. |
| Online junk car buyer | A fixed offer based on the car, its parts and location | Free towing and a quick pickup. The offer may beat scrap for running or newer cars. |
| Private sale | Whatever a buyer agrees to | Usually the most money for a car that runs, but it takes time and you handle the paperwork. |
| Donation | A possible tax deduction instead of cash | If the charity sells the car for more than $500, your deduction is usually limited to the sale price (IRS Publication 4303). |
Repair it or junk it?
A common rule of thumb: if a repair costs more than about half of what the car would be worth once fixed, replacing the car usually makes more sense (PenFed).
Before you sell
- Find the title, or use the title help tool if it's lost or not in your name.
- Check the VIN with the VIN decoder so offers are for the right trim and engine.
- Remove personal items, toll tags and the license plates (check your state's plate rules).
- Get at least two quotes. A real offer is the only way to know what a buyer will pay.
Junk car value: questions
How is junk car value calculated?
Most junk cars are priced by weight: the car's curb weight in tons times the price per ton a scrap yard pays. In October 2026, our range for U.S. yards is $140–$200 per ton for whole cars. A factory catalytic converter typically adds $50–$250, and a missing engine or transmission lowers the weight and the value.
How much is a junk car worth per pound?
At $140–$200 per ton, a whole car is worth about 7.0–10.0 cents per pound as scrap. A ton here is a U.S. short ton of 2,000 pounds.
How much is a junk car worth without a title?
The car is worth the same amount of metal, but fewer buyers can legally take it. Many states let licensed buyers accept older cars with a registration and ID, while others require a title for any sale. Expect fewer offers and sometimes a lower price. The title help tool shows your state's official steps.
Is a car worth more if it still runs?
Often, yes. A buyer who can resell the car or its working parts can pay more than its weight in metal. That's why a real offer can beat a scrap estimate, especially for newer or popular models.
Why might an offer be lower than the estimate?
Local scrap prices, the distance a tow truck has to travel, missing parts, flood or fire damage, and title problems can all lower an offer. Scrap prices also move from month to month.
Are scrap prices the same in every state?
No. Yards near steel mills and ports usually pay more, and rural yards with long hauls often pay less. The sources linked on this page publish national averages; your local yard's price may be higher or lower. If you know it, enter it in the calculator.
Should I remove parts before I sell?
Selling the battery, tires or stereo yourself can bring a little extra, but many buyers lower their offer for missing parts, and a missing engine or transmission can cut $100–$500. Leave the catalytic converter on: it's one of the most valuable parts, and many states restrict who can sell a detached converter.
Want a real number?
Get a free offer for your car in about 30 seconds, with free towing.