Most scrap cars sell for a few hundred dollars up to several thousand, depending on weight, condition, reusable parts and current scrap metal prices. The process takes three steps: get a quote, schedule a free pickup, and get paid when the car is collected. You need proof of ownership and photo ID, and you remove your plates beforehand.
Want an offer now? Get a free quote with your make, model, year and condition.
How much can you get for a scrap car?
Typical cash offers fall into rough bands. These are illustrations only, not guaranteed offers.
| Vehicle | Condition | Approximate range |
|---|---|---|
| Compact sedan, 2012 | Complete, non-running | $500 to $800 |
| Compact sedan, 2012 | Heavily damaged | $300 to $500 |
A complete car is usually worth more than a stripped one, and heavier vehicles usually bring more than lighter ones. For an exact number, request a quote with your vehicle’s details.
What affects the price of a scrap car?
Two cars of the same age can get very different offers. These are the factors buyers look at:
1. Vehicle weight
Cars contain steel, aluminum and other recyclable metals. A pickup or large SUV generally holds more recoverable metal than a compact car.
2. Current scrap metal prices
Metal markets move, so the same car can be worth more or less from one month to the next. Our scrap metal pricing guide explains what drives those changes.
3. Make, model and year
Some models have parts in higher demand for reuse.
4. Condition and missing parts
A mostly complete vehicle is worth more than one that has been stripped or heavily damaged.
5. Reusable parts
Engines, transmissions, wheels, batteries and catalytic converters can add to the offer when they’re present and usable.
How scrap car removal works
- Request a quote. Call or fill in the form with the make, model, year, condition and pickup address. Mention accidents, missing parts or a non-running engine.
- Review the offer. Confirm that towing is included and whether the price can change at pickup.
- Schedule pickup. Same-day service is often possible.
- Prepare the car. Remove personal items, documents, toll devices and your plates.
- Get paid. The driver checks the vehicle, you hand over the ownership documents, and you receive payment and a receipt.
- Finish up. Notify your insurer and handle your plates as Service Ontario requires.
What documents do you need?
Requirements can change, so confirm the current rules with Service Ontario and your buyer. In general you need:
- Proof of ownership, such as the vehicle portion of your ownership permit
- Government-issued photo ID
- Your licence plates, removed before pickup
Afterwards, keep the receipt (buyer’s name, vehicle details, amount paid), cancel or update your insurance, and check the Service Ontario page for plate requirements. If there’s a loan on the car, contact your lender first, because a lien generally has to be cleared before a sale.
Should you scrap, sell or repair your car?
| Option | Best when | Downside |
|---|---|---|
| Scrap it | It’s non-running, damaged, old, or repairs exceed its value | Lower payout than a working-car sale |
| Sell privately | It runs and is in reasonable shape | Time, haggling, strangers and scam risk |
| Trade it in | You’re buying another vehicle from a dealer | Often low trade-in values for older cars |
| Repair it | Repair cost is well below the car’s value | Risk of further failures |
Signs it’s time to scrap: repair costs exceed the car’s value, it failed inspection, the same problems keep returning, there’s frame or flood damage, or you’re paying insurance and storage on a car you don’t use.
Junk car vs. scrap car: the terms overlap. A junk car has little practical use to its owner, and a scrap car’s main value is its metal and parts. Buyers treat both the same way for pickup and pricing.
How to get the best offer
- Compare two or three quotes, and look at the total cash you’d actually receive.
- Describe the condition honestly. Overstating it often leads to a lower offer at pickup.
- Leave valuable parts on the car. A car without its battery, wheels or catalytic converter gets less.
- Confirm what the quote includes, such as towing and payment method, in writing or by text.
- Watch the market. When scrap metal prices rise, quotes often rise too.
- Don’t strip it yourself unless you know what the parts are worth.
How to choose a buyer and avoid scams
Signs of a trustworthy buyer:
- A physical address and a Google Business Profile with genuine reviews
- A clear explanation of how the offer was calculated
- Towing and payment terms confirmed in writing
- A receipt at pickup
Red flags:
- A quote that drops sharply when the driver arrives
- Surprise towing or admin fees
- Pressure to hand over documents before payment
- No address, no reviews, or no way to confirm the business is real
- Unknown online buyers offering cheques
What happens to your car after pickup?
A responsible buyer follows an end-of-life process:
- De-pollution. Fuel, oil, coolant and other fluids are drained and handled according to Ontario environmental requirements.
- Parts recovery. Usable components are removed for reuse.
- Metal recycling. The remaining shell is crushed and sent to metal recyclers to become raw material for new steel and other products.