All motorists want to get the best possible price for their end-of-life of vehicles. You’re doing the right thing with an asset of value, so it simply makes sense to ensure a fair price is paid.

But what exactly constitutes a fair price, and how are scrap car values calculated?

For the most part, the value of a scrap car is based on its composition of recyclable materials. The more recyclable metal there is in a car, the greater its scrap value.

Hence, heavier scrap vehicles usually fetch higher prices than their lightweight counterparts.  Even so, there are some exceptions to the rule – i.e. cars that are particularly difficult to scrap and recycle, or those comprised heavily of materials that are of little to no value. 

Which Factors Affect Scrap Car Quotations?

Our online scrap car calculator is designed to provide a quick overview of how much your car may be worth. But in order to provide you with a concrete quotation, we’ll need to know a little more about the car you’re ready to recycle. 

For example, the most important factors that influence the value of scrap cars include the following:

  1. The make and model of the vehicle – some vehicle makes and models naturally have a higher makeup of valuable materials than others, and are therefore worth more as scrap cars. 
  2. Shifting UK scrap value prices – scrap metal prices are constantly fluctuating across the UK, meaning that quotations can be quite different from one day to the next – depending on market conditions.
  3. Scrapping and recycling complexities – some cars and commercial vehicles may be particularly difficult and/or hazardous to recycle.  A factor that may influence the total price payable for the scrap vehicle in question.
  4. Collection and transportation – likewise, some vehicles will be more difficult to collect than transport to the recycling centre than others. The greater the complications involved in the collection process, the more the price quoted is likely to be influenced.
  5. Market competition – of course, scrap car values can also be influenced by the prices being quoted by competing car scrapping and recycling companies at the time.

Getting the Best Possible Price for Your Scrap Car

If your goal is to get as much cash as you can out of your end-of-life vehicle, remember that not everything needs to be scrapped or recycled.

Chances are, there are plenty of valuable components and electronics in your car that could be sold in the normal way. From alloy wheels to speakers to stereo systems to tyres to headlight clusters, there’s a surprising amount of value in these and other parts.

Basically, if there is anything in your vehicle’s composition that is still in good condition, you may be able to find a buyer for it.

Otherwise, feel free to give the team at Take My Scrap Car a call anytime, and we’ll let you know how much your scrap vehicle is worth. All with no obligation to go ahead, and all the time you need to decide whether scrapping your car is the way to go.