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What Is My Junk Car Worth? Scrap Prices and Vehicle Weight
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The Short Answer
A junk car is worth what its metal and reusable parts will bring, minus the cost of picking it up and processing it. The two biggest drivers are the vehicle’s weight and the current price of scrap steel. Condition, missing parts, the catalytic converter and local demand for used parts adjust the number from there.
Because scrap prices change every month, an honest offer is always based on today’s market. For a current number, call (561) 203-8970 in Florida or (732) 709-7989 in New Jersey, or request a quote online.
Scrap Steel Prices in 2024 and 2025
The U.S. Geological Survey tracks a composite price for No. 1 heavy melting steel scrap, a standard grade of scrap steel. According to the USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Iron and Steel Scrap, the composite averaged $319 per metric ton in 2025, up slightly from $314.85 in 2024. Within 2025, the monthly price peaked at $366.26 in March and fell to $303.46 in November.
That swing of roughly $60 per ton in a single year is why a quote from the spring may not match a quote in the fall. The monthly series is published in the USGS Iron and Steel Scrap Mineral Industry Survey (spreadsheet), Table 11.
Why Weight Matters
Scrap is bought by weight, so heavier vehicles generally bring more. The EPA’s 2025 Automotive Trends Report reports that the average new vehicle weighed 4,354 pounds in model year 2024, just below the highest point on record. Pickup trucks and large SUVs weigh considerably more than compact cars. Most junk cars are older and lighter than today’s new-vehicle average, and a vehicle missing its engine or transmission weighs, and is worth, less.
Steel is not the only metal in a car. Aluminum wheels and engine parts, copper wiring and the precious metals in the catalytic converter all add value beyond the steel price.
Other Factors That Affect Your Offer
- Completeness. A complete vehicle is worth more than one with the engine, transmission or catalytic converter removed.
- Reusable parts. Popular models with parts in demand can bring more than scrap weight alone.
- Paperwork. A clear title makes the sale simpler. In Florida, an older vehicle without a title can still be sold through the derelict process; see our Florida no-title guide.
- Location and access. A car that can be reached easily is simpler to tow, though we do not charge for towing.
Why Cars Keep Reaching Junk Status
Americans are keeping vehicles longer. S&P Global Mobility reported that the average age of US light vehicles reached 12.8 years in 2025 (S&P Global Mobility, May 2025). Older vehicles reach the point where a single repair costs more than the car is worth, and that is usually when a junk sale makes sense. Florida had 19.7 million registered motor vehicles and New Jersey 6.3 million in 2024, according to the Federal Highway Administration’s Highway Statistics Table MV-1, so the supply of aging vehicles in both states is large.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my junk car offer change from last month?
Scrap steel prices change monthly. USGS data show the composite price moved between about $303 and $366 per metric ton during 2025.
Does a heavier car always get a higher offer?
Usually, because scrap is bought by weight. Missing parts, especially the engine, transmission or catalytic converter, reduce both the weight and the value.
Does the catalytic converter affect the price?
Yes. Converters contain precious metals, so a car with its original converter is generally worth more than one without.
Do you charge for towing?
No. We tow for free from Palm Beach County and from our New Jersey service area, and you are paid at pickup by cash, Zelle or check.
Related Guides
- What Happens to Your Car After It Is Junked
- Catalytic Converter Rules When Selling a Junk Car
- How to Sell a Junk Car Without a Title in Florida
See every topic on our Junk Car Selling Guides page, or find your town on Areas We Serve.
Sources
- USGS, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Iron and Steel Scrap
- USGS, Iron and Steel Scrap in November 2025 (spreadsheet)
- U.S. EPA, 2025 Automotive Trends Report (EPA-420-R-26-001)
- S&P Global Mobility, average vehicle age 2025
- FHWA, Highway Statistics 2024, Table MV-1
About the Data on This Page
Scrap prices on this page are 2024 and 2025 annual and monthly figures from USGS, published in 2026; prices change monthly, and they are national composite prices rather than what any specific yard pays. Vehicle weights are new-vehicle averages from the EPA, and most junk cars are older and lighter. The average vehicle age is from a May 2025 S&P Global Mobility release; no free state-by-state figure is published. Information here is a plain-language summary for consumers, not legal advice. Last reviewed November 2026.
