Current Car Scrap Prices in 2026

Car scrap prices currently range from $146 to $206 per ton, with a national average of $190 as of February 2026.

These prices reflect the raw metal value of a vehicle that has no salvageable parts or working components and has reached the end of its useful life. When you tow a car to a metal recycling facility, these are they prices they pay. They are calculated by multiplying the current scrap price per ton by the vehicle's weight. Based on today's prices, you can expect to receive between $100 and $550 for scrapping a complete vehicle.

Complete vehicles are worth more than incomplete ones simply because they contain more metal. Likewise, larger vehicles such as trucks and SUVs command higher scrap values than smaller cars.

Junk Car Reaper tracks metal markets nationwide on an ongoing basis so we can pay top scrap value for your junk car.

Price Per Ton Average	$190/ton
Price Per Ton Range	$146 to $206
Price Per Pound Range	$0.073 to $0.103
Average Junk Car Payout	$475
Month over Month Trend	↑ +2.2%

Updated February 2026

Prices by Region

Scrap Car Prices Per Ton Across the USA

Scrap car prices vary by state and region due to demand, competition among recyclers, and proximity to ports.

Est. Price (Per Ton)	Est. Price (Per Pound)	States
$140 to $170	$0.070 to $0.085	Alaska, Arkansas, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Vermont, Wyoming
$145 to $175	$0.073 to $0.088	Alabama, Iowa, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Carolina, South Dakota, West Virginia
$150 to $180	$0.075 to $0.090	Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin
$155 to $185	$0.078 to $0.093	Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Washington
$160 to $190	$0.080 to $0.095	Connecticut, Indiana, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas
$165 to $195	$0.083 to $0.098	Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York
$170 to $200	$0.085 to $0.100	California, Michigan

Prices by Vehicle Size

Scrap Prices by Vehicle Class

Heavier vehicles contain more recyclable metal, making them worth more. Below you can see scrap prices per ton for various vehicle types based on their typical curb weights.

Filter by state:

Vehicle Type	Approx. Weight	Scrap Price Range
Compact Car	2,500 – 3,000 lbs	$183 – $309
Midsize Sedan	3,200 – 3,600 lbs	$234 – $371
Full-Size Sedan	3,800 – 4,200 lbs	$277 – $433
Compact SUV	3,400 – 3,800 lbs	$248 – $391
Full-Size SUV	5,500 – 6,000 lbs	$402 – $618
Pickup Truck	4,500 – 5,500 lbs	$329 – $567
Minivan	4,300 – 4,800 lbs	$314 – $494

Price Trend

Recent Scrap Price History

How scrap steel rates have moved over the past 6 months.

View Scrap Car Price History →

Understanding the Market

Factors That Determine Scrap Car Prices

Scrap car prices are driven by the metal market. The below factors go into determining the price.

Global Steel Demand

International steel markests set the baseline as a lot of the metal is shipped overseas. When construction and manufacturing demand rise in China and India then scrap metal prices rise worldwide.

Local Recycler Competition

Areas with more metal facilities and auto recyclers will pay more because buyers have to compete for inventory. Whereas cities with fewer recyclers can offer lower prices due to less competition.

Proximity to Ports & Mills

Locations that are near export ports or domestic steel mills will offer higher prices because the cost of transportation is lower. That's why coastal and industrial regions typically have higher prices.

Seasonal Trends

Prices dip in fall and winter when construction slows and rise in spring and summer when it picks back up and the demand for steel increases.

Precious Metal Prices

Catalytic converters are the most valuable part on a car because they contain platinum, palladium, and rhodium. These are precious metals that command a premium and fluctuate independently of steel. A catalytic converter can add $50 to $250 to a vehicle's scrap value.

Trade Policy & Tariffs

Domestic prices can be boosted by import tariffs on foreign steel, but let's pause and see how this plays out.

Maximize Your Payout

How to Get the Best Value When Scrapping Your Car

To get the best price scrap price for your car follow these simple steps.

1

Keep it complete

Scrap yards pay more when a vehicle has all of its parts because it will have more recyclable metal.

2

Get multiple quotes

Shop around and compare scrap yards, junkyards, and online buyers. Prices vary significantly, sometimes by hundreds of dollars.

3

Time it right

Scrap metal prices fluctuate on an ongoing basis. If you can wait, sell when steel prices are up.

4

Remove personal items

Clean out your vehicle completely. Check the trunk, glove box, and under seats.

FAQ

Scrap Car Pricing Questions

Call (855) 476-1118

A vehicle is considered complete when it has all of its major components such as the engine, transmission, catalytic converter, battery, radiator, wheels, and tires. Vehicles that are missing any of these parts will be classified as "incomplete" and the price will be adjusted accordingly. This is the single biggest factor to get the best scrap price for a junk car.

Vehicle shells are priced based on the current per ton rate, and nothing more. A vehicle shell is the body of the vehicle, with all of the compontents and parts stripped. Shells are the lowest valued category.

Scrap metal prices adjust on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. We update this page regularly so that you can see accurate pricing.

The best time is usually in the spring and summer months when construction activity drives up steel demand. If you're within 10–15% of recent highs, it's usually better to sell now rather than gamble on a price increase.

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