Selling a car for scrap is not really a situation one ever hopes to find themselves in, but, unfortunately, this is something that has become increasingly common in the UK these days.
You might reach the point where repairing your car is too costly and no longer a viable option.
In which case, you would have no choice but to sell it for scrap.
This could happen to anyone, and for this reason, it’s best to become better acquainted with scrap car pricing.
So, if you ever happen to be one of the unlucky souls that have to deal with a scrap car, you’ll know exactly how to get your money’s worth.
In this article, we will take a look at scrap car prices in 2022, and some of the key factors that determine scrap car prices in the UK.
We will also answer some frequently asked questions about dealing with a scrap car.
Here’s a brief summary of what you can expect to read about:
- How much is a scrap car worth?
- The weight of the car
- Car make and model
- The current state of the car
- Pick-up charges
- How to increase the scrap car worth
- Get multiple quotes from nearby dealers
- Keep the car clean and rust-free
- Frequently asked questions
Contents
How Much Is a Scrap Car Worth?
Currently, the average scrap car price in the UK is around £323 which is a significant increase compared to what it started at the beginning of 2022 at £295.
Now you may be wondering how does this price even get determined?
Well, there are a number of factors to consider, such as the make and model of the car, its condition at the time of sale, and the weight of the vehicle.
The Weight of the Car
The most important of these factors is its weight. All cars are made up mostly of metals, and since all metals are considered commodities, this makes up the bulk of its worth.
Any scrap car dealer worth his salt will know about the composition of valuable metals present in different car models and will be able to value your car and fix a price based on the amount of copper, steel, and aluminium he can salvage.
The prices of these metals fluctuate significantly throughout the year, which is why the price you’re offered will depend on when you sell the car.
To give you a better idea of what this will mean, here’s a look at the changes in the price offered for a scrap car in the UK per ton.
| UK 2021/2022 | Scrap car prices per Ton |
| Sept 21 | 165 – 185 |
| Oct 21 | 175 – 195 |
| Nov 21 | 170 – 195 |
| Dec 21 | 170 – 195 |
| Jan 22 | 165 – 195 |
| Feb 22 | 175 – 200 |
| March 22 | 185 – 230 |
| April 22 | 185 – 220 |
| May 22 | 180 – 200 |
| June 22 | 130 – 160 |
| July 22 | 140 – 170 |
| Aug 22 | 155 – 185 |
| Sept 22 | 155 – 185 |
Car Make and Model
The make and model of your car also plays a significant role in the amount of money you will get.
For example, a luxury car contains more valuable parts and materials than a simple hatchback.
Similarly, older cars will have fewer working parts than newer ones, meaning fewer of these parts can be reused.
The State of the Car
The condition of the car when it is brought in for sale also makes quite a difference to the price you will be offered.
Cars in relatively good condition will have more parts that can be recycled and are therefore worth more.
Pick-up Charges
The dealer will have to fetch the vehicle, and the cost of doing this depends heavily on how far away the car is. To offset this cost, they will often lower the amount they offer you in return.
How to Increase the Scrap Car Worth
A few tips and tricks can help you get your money’s worth when selling your car for scrap. Let’s take a look at a few of them.
Get Multiple Quotes from Nearby Junkyard Dealers
To get the most profit from your sale, it’s best to get a number of quotes from different junkyards and choose the best offer.
You could also compare these quotes by using an online car scrap value calculator.
Always choose a dealer that will give a Certificate of Destruction from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) to prove that your car has been destroyed and is no longer owned and in use by you.
You should also only consider dealers close to you since, as we mentioned before, the distance they travel to collect your car affects the price they are willing to pay.
Keep the Vehicle Clean and Rust-free
This may seem a little strange, but it’s important to ensure that your car is cleaned and as rust-free as possible when you hand it over to be crushed.
The reasoning behind this is that these dealers make their profit by salvaging as much as they can from a car, and if they have to spend extra time getting through a messy car, they might have to reduce the price they offer to account for extra labour charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which car was most often sold for scrap in the UK in 2022?
At least 29525 Ford Focus cars were scrapped last year in the UK alone. The reason for this is not because the car is of poor quality, in fact, it is quite the opposite.
It is estimated that every 1 in 30 cars in Great Britain is a Ford Focus, making it one of the most popular vehicles in the country, especially because of its cheap price and reliability.
When is the best time to sell a scrap car in the UK?
The best time to sell a scrap car is during the summer when the price of the metals used in vehicles is at its highest.
The demand for metals increases at this time since it is the busiest time for construction in the country, and the requirement for metal is high in the industry.
This increase in demand results in the highest scrap car prices.
Will I be paid in cash?
Due to laws and regulations set in 2013, cars are not allowed to be sold for cash in the UK.
This is mainly to stop car thieves from selling stolen cars for cash at junkyards without the valid owner’s permission.
To Sum Up
The decision to scrap your car is not an easy one. As you can see, there are a number of things to consider before you decide to do so.
We hope that this brief guide has helped you to understand how to get the best price for your vehicle so that it’s not a total loss for you.
For further reading on cars in the UK, check out the article How Much Is My Number Plate Worth(UK).
What are your thoughts on the highest scrap car prices? Share them below in the comments section.
