How is the value of my scrap car calculated?

The value of your scrap car is calculated using a range of different factors, some of which can vary noticeably between different locations, meaning you have to do a lot of research to find the best price. Not when you scrap your car with EMR Vehicle Recycling. We compare our pricing across local locations, to make sure we're offering you the best possible price.

Here's a quick breakdown of the most important key factors that influence the price you’ll get for your scrap car:

The size and weight

Size and weight are two of the single most pivotal factors that affect the price you get for your car. As a general rule, the heavier the car, the more it’ll be worth, because heavier vehicles contain higher amounts of recyclable metal and other materials.

A full-size van or 4x4, for instance, will typically be worth more than a city hatchback due to the greater volume of ferrous and non-ferrous metals in the frame, body, and mechanical components.

Vehicle make and model

Some vehicle makes and models are naturally worth more than others. There are a variety of reasons for this – some makes and models are more sought after in the scrap trade because of the materials they use, the weight distribution, or the resale value of parts. A premium German saloon or Japanese SUV, for example, may be worth more than a budget-brand vehicle, especially if this luxury vehicle is a popular model with reusable components.

There’s also the fact that cars with a reputation for longevity or expensive parts can be more valuable to breakers who plan to resell usable items. Even within the same category, subtle differences between models can influence how much an ATF is willing to pay – such as whether an engine is aluminium or cast iron.

The condition of your car

Heavily damaged or fire-damaged vehicles can sometimes have slightly lower prices due to the extra handling, safety concerns or contamination risk involved in processing them. Some parts might be too far gone to salvage, and there’s often extra work involved in making sure it’s all handled safely. In many cases, fire or crash damage also affects components like wiring, fuel lines, or fluids, which can make the recycling process trickier and more time-consuming.

Where you’re based in the UK

Location plays another vital role in determining the value you’ll be offered for your car – which is one of the main reasons we make sure to ask for your postcode when we generate your instant online quote, here at EMR Vehicle Recycling. Scrap prices often vary between regions, based on local demand, transportation costs and the number of competing scrapyards in the local area. For instance, urban areas with multiple scrapyards might offer slightly better rates due to competition.

If you’re in a rural location on the other hand, that may result in slightly lower prices, as the nearest Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF) may have to travel further to collect it. Some parts of the UK may also have different environmental levies, access restrictions or infrastructure costs that indirectly affect how much a scrapyard can pay for a vehicle.

Whether or not any parts have been removed

It’s not uncommon to have heard or read advice that you can maximise the amount you get for your scrap car by removing and selling parts separately. However, that can seriously reduce the amount of cash you’ll get for your car. At EMR Vehicle Recycling, our Terms and Conditions explicitly state the car has to be complete, with no parts removed or replaced with third-party ones. A big part of that is to do with safety – lots of people underestimate exactly how dangerous it can be to remove certain parts, given that they may contain heavy metals, toxic gases or liquids.

All in all, it’s generally best to avoid – and in case you’re wondering, scrapyards routinely check this sort of thing before finalising payment, so don’t believe anyone who says you can do it on the sly!

Scrap metal market

Scrap car prices are tied directly to global metal markets. Steel, aluminium, and copper values fluctuate based on worldwide demand, commodity trading and supply chain costs. When scrap metal prices are high, scrapyards tend to offer better payouts.

During economic slowdowns or drops in manufacturing activity, the price of scrap can fall rapidly. This means the same car might be worth less one month than it was the month before. Most dealers follow daily or weekly index rates, which is why scrap prices are rarely fixed for long.

How to get the best price for your scrap car

Now that you know all the different metrics used to measure the value of your car, your next question will naturally be: how can I get the very best price?

While the general ballpark of the price you’ll get will probably largely stay the same, there are a couple of small things you can do to maximise the amount of cash you get for your car. To keep things simple, we’ll split them into “dos” and “don’ts”!

Do: time it carefully

As we discussed above, scrap car values are directly linked to global metal markets, which means timing your sale can sometimes make a noticeable difference. If steel or aluminium prices are surging, even an older vehicle can fetch more than expected. Conversely, when demand drops, scrapyards may well pay less.

It’s worth taking five minutes to check metal index sites in advance. Some traders adjust rates weekly or even daily – which is why we’re always checking here at EMR Vehicle Recycling. If you’re not in a rush to recycle your car, you might find that holding off for a little bit can mean a slightly higher payout in a stronger market, especially for heavier vehicles where metal weight plays a bigger role in pricing.

Do: keep it local

There’s a good reason we always ask for your postcode to give you an instant online quote – it helps us connect you with the nearest Authorised Treatment Facility in our network, meaning shorter journeys for vehicle collection to keep transport costs down and reduce CO2 emissions. When collection’s quicker and cheaper, it’s easier for us to get you the very best price – so that means more money in your pocket.

Do: consider delivering the vehicle yourself

It’s not a universal truth, but some scrapyards increase their offer slightly for vehicles that are dropped off, since it saves them time, fuel and labour. It also means they can process the car faster, without needing to schedule a pick-up or deal with any access issues at your location. If it’s road-legal and safe to move, you may find that delivering it yourself works out slightly better financially.

Don’t: remove parts from your car

We’ve already talked about the fact that you can end up knocking significant amounts off the total value of your car by removing parts – and that, crucially, there’s no guarantee that all the effort will be properly rewarded.

For starters, unless you’ve got the specialist tools and knowledge required to remove certain parts from your car, it can be quite dangerous to attempt, and that alone is often reason enough not to try it. As one good example, you could expose yourself to hazardous chemicals and even explosives. Plus, if you don’t know what you’re doing, it’s also annoyingly easy to damage the parts in question. If that happens, nobody will pay for them and you’ll have devalued your car for nothing.

Even if the parts are removed (safely) and they’ve sustained no damage, the effort involved in selling them can be more taxing than lots of people think - especially since lots of buyers will eagerly haggle, which can further reduce what you’ll get for them.

In general, it’s best to leave it to the experts.