Scrap Car Value Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate the scrap value of your car. Enter the details below to get an estimated price.
Understanding Your Scrap Car's Value
When it's time to say goodbye to your old vehicle, knowing its scrap value can be helpful. A Scrap Car Value Calculator is a useful tool to estimate how much you might receive for your car when it's sold for its material components, rather than for continued road use. This process is often referred to as 'scrapping' your car.
How Scrap Car Value is Determined
The primary factor influencing your car's scrap value is its weight and the current market price of scrap metals. Cars are made up of various metals, predominantly steel and aluminium. When a car is scrapped, it's taken to an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF) where it's drained of fluids, hazardous materials are removed, and then it's crushed and stripped for recycling.
- Car Weight: Heavier cars, made of more metal, will generally fetch a higher scrap price. The weight is typically the gross vehicle weight (GVW) before any fluids are drained, though ATFs may use the dry weight after draining.
- Scrap Metal Prices: The value of scrap metal fluctuates based on global market demand. Prices are usually quoted per kilogram (£/kg). You'll often find that different types of metals have different prices, but calculators typically use an average rate.
- Tyre Disposal Costs: Tyres are not easily recyclable and their disposal incurs a fee. Most scrap dealers will deduct a charge for each tyre on the vehicle, as they are legally obligated to dispose of them responsibly.
- Other Components: While less significant for basic scrap value, other salvageable parts might be removed and sold separately by the ATF, but this usually isn't factored into the initial scrap quote.
How the Calculator Works
Our calculator simplifies this by taking your input on the car's estimated weight, the current scrap metal price per kilogram, and the number of tyres. It then calculates the potential value from the metal content and subtracts the estimated cost of disposing of the tyres. This gives you a realistic estimate of what you might expect.
Example Calculation
Let's say you have a car with an approximate weight of 1200 kg. The current market price for scrap metal is around £0.30 per kg. Your car has 4 tyres, and the typical disposal fee per tyre is £12.
- Metal Value = 1200 kg * £0.30/kg = £360
- Tyre Disposal Cost = 4 tyres * £12/tyre = £48
- Estimated Scrap Value = Metal Value – Tyre Disposal Cost = £360 – £48 = £312
In this scenario, the estimated scrap value for the car would be £312. It's important to remember this is an estimate, and actual prices may vary based on the specific scrap yard, the exact condition of the vehicle, and the prevailing metal market rates at the time of sale.
Always ensure you use a reputable and licensed ATF to scrap your car. They will provide you with a Certificate of Destruction (CoD), which is essential for informing the DVLA that your vehicle has been permanently taken off the road.