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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 Pennsylvania
Let Wheelsaway help you get the best price for your old junk car with our scrap car prices guide!
Explore tips, trends, and get a free no-obligation valuation to unlock its true value.
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How much can you make?
Want to know how much money you can get for your junk car?
On average, scrap vehicles can sell for between $100-$500 per ton!
How much a scrapyard will pay for your car depends on a few things, such as:
- Metals: What metals does your vehicle contain, and how big is it? You can expect a bigger appraisal for larger junk cars.
- Age: How old is it, and how many miles are on the clock?
- Condition: Is it a lemon or a total clunker?
We’ll explain how to get a rough estimate below, and share some tips that will help you increase the value of your ride.
You can also use our free quote tool for a fair, instant offer!
How Do You Calculate Scrap Car Prices?
You can get a rough estimation using the formula below:
- Find out what metals are inside your car.
- Determine the price of current scrap metals (pounds is best), and calculate the worth of each metal using the formula: Value of Metal = Weight (lbs) × Price per lb
- Add up the value of each metal, deduct any extra fees such as towing, and that’s your rough valuation!
If you want a faster and more accurate valuation, get one with Wheelsaway in less than 60 seconds.
The Price of Scrap Metal
Scrap metal prices are one of the biggest factors affecting your used car’s scrap value.
Values change often, so you’ll need the most up-to-date data to get an accurate valuation. You can also use yearly averages to calculate how much your junk car can go for.
You can usually find the metals in your model by searching for its specifications online. If you can’t find them, Wheelsaway’s free quote tool can do it for you when calculating its value.
Aluminum, copper, and steel are the most common metals found in nearly all vehicles. They’re in a variety of components like engine blocks, wheels, wiring, body panels, frames, and more.
Check out the data below to discover the most common metals and their average values per pound.
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 |
How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Scrap Car?
Discover what sets salvaging and junking apart, which option might be best for you, and which fetches the most cash.
Does Salvaging or Junking Get You More Money?
Salvaging can often fetch more cash, but junking is more convenient. Not all cars can be salvaged, so which method you choose will depend on the condition of your vehicle.
Salvaging: This involves removing and reusing the most valuable parts of a vehicle, and is offered when a car is damaged, but not beyond repair. It has the potential to yield more cash than junking, depending on the quality and value of the undamaged components.
Junking: These vehicles are crushed whole, and all materials are recycled. Junking is best used when a car has reached the end of its life. It’s a quick and simple option for cars with extensive damage, and could potentially still fetch you hundreds of dollars.
Environmental Impact of Junking A Car
Junking is a responsible and efficient way to reduce pollution and harmful waste.
Companies that process end-of-life vehicles are held to high standards and must comply with environmental requirements throughout the state of Pennsylvania. This ensures the local environment is protected, and harmful waste is handled responsibly.
Here’s just a few of the benefits of junking your car:
- Reusable metals like steel, aluminum, and copper are recovered and recycled instead of being mined from new raw materials.
- Car parts that can be reused help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while preserving important natural resources.
- Hazardous components, including batteries and fluids, are removed and disposed of properly to prevent soil and water pollution.
- Once retired vehicles are processed correctly, they no longer leak oil or other harmful substances into the environment.
When you junk your vehicle with Wheelsaway, you’ll not only get a fair price for your ride, but the satisfaction of knowing you’re protecting the environment!
Should I Sell It in Parts?
Parting out your scrap car means you could get more cash for individual components rather than selling the car whole. But is it worth it?
In short: the chance of a higher return can be outweighed by the risk of damage, and the time it takes to remove and sell the components.
Parts such as alloy wheels, engines, and catalytic converters are in high demand and can get you a few extra dollars. However, taking your vehicle apart piece by piece can be time-intensive, may require special tools or know-how, and can lower the value of what’s left.
For many car owners, selling the vehicle intact – whether for scrap or salvage – is the simplest way to cash out fast. Professional services that manage the entire process can help you get the most money without the hassle of coordinating buyers or handling leftover parts yourself.
Turn Your Junk Car Into Cash Today
Cash in your old vehicle with ease using Wheelsaway. Enjoy an instant offer in Pennsylvania, plus hassle-free pickup and quick payment.
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