Scrap car value calculator
Scrap prices change week to week, so start with a price per tonne from a local authorised scrapyard. Enter it with your car’s weight and you’ll see what the quote should come to.
- Figures checked 25 October 2026
- You’ll need the V5C (box G, mass in service) and a price per tonne from a scrapyard
Your result
Enter a price per tonne from a scrapyard quote.
Why we don’t show a default price
Scrap steel prices move with the market, and yards in different parts of the country quote differently. A national average would be out of date within weeks and could be well off for your area, so the calculator asks for a real quote instead. Use it to check that quotes add up, and to compare a yard that collects with one where you deliver.
Worked example
A car with a mass in service of 1,350kg weighs about 1,275kg once the 75kg driver allowance is taken off. At a quote of £160 a tonne that’s £204. (The £160 is an example only, not a current price.)
Before you scrap
- Use a licensed authorised treatment facility and get a Certificate of Destruction.
- Take out personal items and any private number plate you want to keep. Retain the plate with DVLA before the car goes.
- If the car still runs, check what it would fetch for sale or for parts. It can be more than scrap.
Questions people ask
How is a scrap car valued?
Mainly by weight. A scrapyard quotes a price per tonne, multiplies it by the car’s weight, and may knock some off for collection or missing parts. A car that runs or has parts worth reselling can be worth more than its scrap weight.
Where do I find my car’s weight?
The V5C logbook shows “mass in service” in box G. That figure includes a 75kg allowance for the driver, so the calculator can take that off for you.
Can a scrapyard pay me in cash?
No, not in England and Wales. The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 bans cash payments for scrap metal, including cars. Licensed dealers pay by bank transfer or a non-transferable cheque.
What paperwork do I need?
Use an authorised treatment facility (ATF). It should give you a Certificate of Destruction and tell DVLA the car has been scrapped. Any full months of vehicle tax left are refunded automatically.