Scrap car prices guide
Scrap cars are priced by weight. At our current rate of £164 per tonne (last updated 26 October 2026), a typical complete car is worth about £165 to £440, from a small hatchback to a large SUV or van. This page shows the range by vehicle class and the exact formula our instant quote uses.
£164/tonne
All-in rate for a complete car (cat, DPF and wheels are inside it). Last updated 26 October 2026 and reviewed manually, so it can trail the market.
Scrap car prices by vehicle category
Ranges below are the offers our formula produces for a complete car that runs and rolls, across the kerb weights typical of each class. Steel wheels assumed; alloys add £52.
| Category | Kerb weight | Price range | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small cars | 900–1,150 kg | £165–£205 | Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, VW Polo, Toyota Aygo |
| Medium cars | 1,150–1,450 kg | £205–£255 | Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra, VW Golf, Audi A3 |
| Large cars | 1,450–1,800 kg | £255–£310 | Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Insignia, BMW 5 Series, Audi A6 |
| SUVs & 4x4s | 1,500–2,300 kg | £260–£390 | Land Rover Discovery, BMW X5, Nissan Qashqai, VW Tiguan |
| Vans | 1,500–2,600 kg | £260–£440 | Ford Transit, VW Transporter, Mercedes Sprinter |
Ranges use our quote formula at £164/tonne (updated 26 October 2026). For an exact quote for your specific vehicle, use our scrap car value calculator or get an instant quote.
Price breakdown by category
Small cars
£165–£205
Weight: 900–1,150 kg
Examples: Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, VW Polo, Toyota Aygo
The lightest class, so the lowest metal weight.
Medium cars
£205–£255
Weight: 1,150–1,450 kg
Examples: Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra, VW Golf, Audi A3
The most common scrap class.
Large cars
£255–£310
Weight: 1,450–1,800 kg
Examples: Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Insignia, BMW 5 Series, Audi A6
Heavier shells mean more weight to price.
SUVs & 4x4s
£260–£390
Weight: 1,500–2,300 kg
Examples: Land Rover Discovery, BMW X5, Nissan Qashqai, VW Tiguan
Wide spread: a Qashqai and a full-size Discovery are a tonne-quarter apart.
Vans
£260–£440
Weight: 1,500–2,600 kg
Examples: Ford Transit, VW Transporter, Mercedes Sprinter
Kerb weight varies a lot by body length and roof height.
What affects your scrap car price?
Five key factors determine how much your scrap car is worth. Understanding these helps you maximise your payout.
1. Vehicle weight (kerb weight)
Primary driverScrap cars are priced by weight. Our quote engine multiplies your car's kerb weight in tonnes by our per-tonne rate (currently £164/tonne) and adds a flat £15. A 1,000 kg car works out at £180; a 2,000 kg car at £345.
2. Catalytic converter / DPF
Inside the rateCatalytic converters and diesel particulate filters contain platinum-group metals, and they are part of why a complete car is worth more than its steel alone. We do not add a separate line for them: the per-tonne rate is an all-in rate for a complete car. Tell us when booking if the cat or DPF is missing, because the online quote assumes a complete car.
3. Alloy wheels
+£52 for a setConfirming alloy wheels adds £52 to the quote (4 wheels at £13 more than steel). Locking wheel nuts without the key take £20 off, because we then need extra time to get the wheels off.
4. Condition (engine, rolling)
Up to £70 deductedIf the engine does not run the quote drops by £40; if the car does not roll freely it drops by £30. The quote form asks about both before you confirm, so the price you accept already includes them.
5. The scrap metal rate
Sets the base priceScrap metal prices move with global steel markets. The rate behind the quote form was last updated on 26 October 2026 and is reviewed by us manually, so it can lag the market. That date is shown on this page so you can judge how current it is.
How scrap car quotes are calculated
Our quote is a weight-based calculation. Every figure on this page comes from the same code as the instant quote, so the two cannot disagree.
- 1.Base metal value = kerb weight (tonnes) × current scrap metal rate (£164/tonne). A 1,500 kg car = 1.5 × £164 = £246.
- 2.Wheel adjustment = +£52 for alloy wheels (4 × £13 over steel value), or £0 for steel wheels.
- 3.Condition deductions = −£40 if the engine doesn't run, −£30 if the car doesn't roll, −£20 for a locking wheel nut without the key.
- 4.Flat addition = +£15 on every quote.
- 5.Final offer = base + wheels + premium − deductions, rounded to the nearest £5. Free collection is always included.
Get an exact quote for your car
Enter your registration and postcode for an instant, no-obligation quote based on your vehicle's actual kerb weight.
Scrap value by model
Weight-based values for popular models, worked out with the same formula as our instant quote.
Before you accept an offer
A higher price only helps if the buyer is legal and the paperwork is right. These sourced guides cover the checks.
Scrap car price FAQs
How much is a scrap car worth in the UK?
At our current rate a typical complete car is worth about £165 to £440. Small cars (Fiesta, Corsa) come out at £165–£205, medium cars (Focus, Golf) at £205–£255, large cars at £255–£310 and SUVs at £260–£390. The exact figure depends on the kerb weight of your car, and other yards price differently, so compare offers.
What is the current scrap metal rate per tonne?
The rate behind our quote form is £164 per tonne, last updated on 26 October 2026. It is an all-in rate for a complete car, not the bare steel price, and we review it manually, so it can trail the market between updates.
Do heavier cars get more money when scrapped?
Yes, weight is the main driver. A 2,000 kg SUV works out at £345 against £180 for a 1,000 kg small car, using the same formula our instant quote uses.
Does a catalytic converter increase scrap value?
It is part of why a complete car is worth more than its steel alone, but we do not price it as a separate item. Our per-tonne rate already assumes an intact cat or DPF. If yours is missing, tell us when you book so the price is right before we collect.
Are alloy wheels worth more when scrapping a car?
Slightly. Confirming alloy wheels adds £52 to the quote. If your car has locking wheel nuts and no key, £20 is deducted.
Why does my quote differ from another site's?
Yards buy on different rates and add their own margins, and some sites pass your details to several yards. Our quote is a weight-based calculation from your car's registration, shown on screen, with free collection included. The best check is to get two or three offers for the same registration.
Can I get a higher price if I drop the car off at the yard?
We quote one price with free collection included, so the offer is the same whether we collect or you deliver. If you have a particularly heavy vehicle, call us and we will talk it through.