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Selling a junk car in North Carolina? Learn how prices are calculated, why recycling matters, and which parts are worth the most.
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Fair Quote, Free Pickup, Fast Cash, Gone Today.
- Damaged Cars
- Mechanical Issues
- Broken Vehicles
- Non-starters
- Free Collection
- Fast & Easy Process
Scrap Car Prices In North Carolina
Ready to cash in on your scrap car in North Carolina?
Knowing what its individual parts are worth and what you can do to maximize their value can help you score the best deal.
Explore our scrap car prices guide below, and get your free quote in seconds – no stress, no negotiations. Unlock your car’s real value today with Wheelsaway!
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How much can you make?
Curious to know how much your scrap car is worth?
The final scrap value of your automobile depends on its age, condition, and size. Scrap yards pay by weight, and a scrap car’s metal value per ton varies from $100 to $500. This means that heavier cars and trucks often earn more. The value comes mostly from the metals inside, like steel, copper, and aluminum. We’ll give you a quick, accurate quote based on the latest metal prices.
How Do You Calculate Scrap Car Prices?
Ready to make money from that old car? Find out what your car is really worth! Multiply its weight (tons or pounds) by the current scrap value of its metals, and don’t forget to adjust for any missing or busted parts:
- Find the top metals in your car.
- Check scrap prices per pound or ton.
- Estimate their weight.
- Multiply: Value of Metal = Weight (lbs) × Price per lb
- Add everything together, minus towing or disposal fees. Cha-ching!
Want something more accurate? For a quick and accurate quote, just use Wheelsaway’s online calculator for a scrap car valuation- it takes seconds to find out how much your scrap car is worth!
The Price of Scrap Metal
When calculating how much you can get for scrapping a car in the US, you’ll need to know the value of its parts.
Certain components can significantly increase the value of your vehicle to scrap yards or salvage buyers. Knowing which parts hold the most worth will help you make informed decisions and get the best return from your old ride. Steel, aluminum, and copper are the most common metals, but others could fetch you a bigger payout.
Check out the table below for more information:
Note: values are 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 |
How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Scrap Car?
Understanding scrap car values is just the first step- here’s how to make sure you get the highest possible offer and approach selling your vehicle for scrap with confidence!
Does Salvaging or Recycling Get You More Money?
Salvaging means removing and selling usable parts like engines, batteries, tires, or catalytic converters. These parts often fetch higher prices than the car’s metal alone, especially if they’re in good condition.
Recycling is selling the entire vehicle as scrap metal. You get paid based on weight and metal prices, making it quick and easy, but it’s usually less profitable than salvaging.
Ultimately, salvaging high-value parts is the best approach to get more cash. For the best final payout, salvage valuable components first, then recycle the rest later!
Environmental Impact of Junking A Car
Not only could your junk car be worth a lot of cash, but junking it responsibly can have big benefits for the environment.
Recycling
Most junked cars are dismantled, and metals like steel, aluminum, and copper are recycled. This reduces the need for mining, which saves energy and lowers greenhouse gas emissions. Approximately 75% of a car’s weight can be recycled – this is a win-win for you and the environment, and definitely something to feel good about when exploring the value of your junk car!
Proper Disposal of Hazardous Substances
Scrap cars often contain some pretty hazardous substances, including fluids like oil, coolant, and brake fluid, plus batteries and airbags. Reputable junkyards will safely drain, store, and dispose of these hazardous materials, preventing soil and water contamination.
Parts Salvaging
Many valuable parts, including engines, transmissions, alternators, and catalytic converters, can be reused in other vehicles, reducing the need to manufacture new parts and lowering environmental impact.
Energy Savings
Recycling metals uses significantly less energy than producing them from raw materials. For instance, recycling aluminum saves about 90% of the energy compared to making new aluminum from bauxite.
Should I Sell It in Parts?
Parting out can be a strategic choice, but it’s important to understand how it affects the car’s overall junk or salvage value.
When you sell a car as a whole, junkyards and salvage yards calculate value based on weight, materials, and market demand for the vehicle in its entirety. Removing parts individually can reduce the car’s bulk value, meaning scrap yards may offer less cash for your junk car if key components like the engine, transmission, or catalytic converter are already removed.
The key is to balance potential profit from individual parts against the decrease in bulk salvage value. For instance, selling an engine separately may net more than the scrap price of the entire car, but the leftover shell may be worth significantly less.
What Else Can You Do?
- Be honest about your vehicle: Clearly share details about your car’s age, mileage, condition, and missing parts to get the most accurate and fair quote.
- Remove valuable accessories: Extra features like alloy wheels, stereo systems, or GPS units can be sold separately or included to boost value.
- Check your documentation: Having your title, registration, and service records ready can speed up the process and make your car more trustworthy to buyers.
Start today: Get a free, no-obligation quote from Wheelsaway and discover the best payout for your scrap car!
Turn Your Junk Car Into Cash Today
It’s never been easier to turn your old junk car into cash. Just contact Wheelsway today for an instant quote, and leave the rest to us. We’ll collect your old ride for free. All you need to do is sit back, relax, and get paid!
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