
FAQs
Wondering how to scrap or junk a car in Maryland? Get simple answers on titles, liens, and registration from our complete FAQ guide.

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Want the highest price for your scrap car?
The average price you could get for your scrap car varies. Its age, weight, and condition are the biggest factors that will impact its value. The scrap metals in your car will also determine your payout. Steel, aluminum, and copper are the most common metals found in scrap cars – we’ll explore their worth individually later.
You can expect to make $100-$500 per ton for your scrap vehicle, depending on the factors above and current scrap metal prices. If you have a larger vehicle, you could get paid even more cash!
For a fast and accurate quote, use Wheelsaway. We’ll tell you how much cash you can get for your old junk car, based on current metal prices, in just a few seconds!

Want to know how much your car will scrap for? You can get a rough figure yourself using the formula below:
1. Figure out which metals your vehicle contains.
2. Check current scrap prices—per pound or per ton.
3. Estimate how much of each metal your car has.
4.Do the math: Value of Metal = Weight (lbs) × Price per lb
5. Add it up, then subtract any fees like towing or disposal to see what’s really in your pocket.
Need your quote faster? Wheelsaway’s easy online scrap car calculator will give you a scrap price for your vehicle instantly.
A vehicle’s scrap value is calculated, not guessed. Factors like weight, age, condition, and the presence of valuable components like catalytic converters or alloy wheels are key. Metals such as steel, aluminum, and copper are the primary contributors to its market worth.
The current price of scrap metal will make up a big part of your scrap car’s valuation – and they’re ever-changing. Values can swing weekly – sometimes daily, so knowing the averages of each metal in your vehicle will help you get the best price for your old ride.
Your body panels, wheels, engine blocks, and wiring likely contain aluminum, steel, and copper – the three most common. However, some vehicles contain rarer materials like platinum. If your vehicle has rarer materials and the components are in good condition, the scrap yard could pay you even more!
We’ve compiled a list of the most common metals and their approximate values per pound. Check them out below.
Note: the prices in this table are approximate and subject to change.
| Metal | Value (per pound, unless otherwise stated) | Common Car Locations |
|---|---|---|
| Platinum, Palladium, Rhodium | High (per ounce) | Catalytic converters |
| Copper | $3.00–$4.22 | Wiring, alternators, starters, radiators |
| Brass | $2.00–$2.30 | Radiators, fittings |
| Gold | $14.00 | Electronic components |
| Silver | $4.00 | Electronic components |
| Aluminum (Scrap prices vary by type – sheet, cast, extrusion, copper unit, wire). |
$0.67–$1.81 | Wheels, engine blocks, body panels |
| Stainless Steel | $0.30–$1.35 | Exhaust systems, trim |
| Lead | $0.80–$0.95 | Car batteries |
| Steel (per metric ton) | $620-$900 | Frame, body panels |
Salvaging: Take apart your car and sell or repurpose the valuable bits. This method often nets more cash, especially if key components are in good shape. Perfect for vehicles that still have life left.
Junking: Ready to retire your car? Junking crushes it as-is, sending all its materials back into the recycling loop. It’s the easiest route for cars that are damaged, totaled, or past their prime.
Quick guide: Salvage = higher value. Junk = fastest, simplest option.

When your old car makes it to the scrap yard, it’s disposed of as safely and responsibly as possible. Here’s how junking your car can benefit the environment:
Trying to get the most cash from scrapping? Parting it out sounds like an attractive option, but it’s not always the best.
Why? Dismantling a vehicle yourself takes skill and time. Without the right tools or knowledge, you also risk damaging fragile components, which can lower your payout.
That’s why it’s often easier to sell the car whole. You’ll get paid faster than you would by selling components individually, and there’s minimal work for you to do. Save yourself the stress and still get a quality payout!


Wheelsaway makes selling your Maryland car simple. Grab an instant offer, and we’ll manage pickup and payment so you can relax.

Wondering how to scrap or junk a car in Maryland? Get simple answers on titles, liens, and registration from our complete FAQ guide.

Find out how junk car prices work in Maryland, the environmental benefits of recycling, and which parts are worth the most cash.

Learn how to junk a car with no title in Maryland. Find out paperwork rules, options, and how to still get cash for your vehicle.

Many people struggle with the question, ‘How to junk a car?’ Don’t worry—you don’t need to be an expert to make the process simple, profitable, and stress-free.