Junk Car Prices: How Much Is Your Car Worth?

Most junk cars sell for $200 to $700, with complete running vehicles bringing $500 to $5,000+ depending on size and condition. Trucks and SUVs command the highest prices because they weigh more and their parts hold stronger wholesale demand. The three factors with the biggest impact on your specific payout are vehicle condition (running vs. non-running creates a $200 to $2,000+ swing), completeness (whether the engine, transmission, and catalytic converter are present), and vehicle weight (heavier vehicles have a higher base scrap value). Non-running compact cars sit at the low end ($200 to $500), while running trucks and full-size SUVs sit at the top ($1,000 to $5,000+).

The prices on this page reflect what Reap My Ride is paying right now, based on 8,500+ recent purchases across the United States. Your actual offer depends on your specific vehicle, location, and local market conditions. Scroll down to find your vehicle's condition, type, and age range, or get an instant offer for your exact car in 60 seconds.

How Junk Car Pricing Actually Works

Every junk car's value is built on four layers, and understanding them helps you evaluate whether an offer is fair or whether you're leaving money on the table.

The first layer is scrap weight. This is the absolute floor: your car's curb weight divided by 2,000 (to convert to tons), multiplied by the current per-ton scrap steel rate. At the current national average of roughly $146 to $206 per ton, a 3,300-pound midsize sedan has a scrap floor of $241 to $340. A 5,000-pound pickup truck has a floor of $365 to $515. Nobody should pay you less than these numbers. For current rates in your state, see our scrap car prices page.

The second layer is the catalytic converter. This single component contains platinum, palladium, and rhodium, precious metals recovered through specialized refining. Depending on your vehicle, the converter adds $50 to $400+ on top of the scrap floor. Toyota and Honda converters sit at the high end. Hyundai and domestic-brand converters sit at the low end. Hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius have converters worth $300 to $1,000+ because the hybrid drivetrain preserves precious metal content better than conventional engines. A missing converter (stolen or previously removed) is the single largest deduction on any junk car offer. For the full breakdown by vehicle, see our catalytic converter value guide.

The third layer is parts demand. A junk car with a working engine, functional transmission, intact body panels, and usable electronics is worth more than its scrap weight and converter alone because those components can be pulled and resold to repair shops and vehicle owners. Parts demand varies by make and model: a junk Honda Civic or Toyota Camry holds stronger parts value than a junk Hyundai Elantra or Chevy Cruze because Honda and Toyota parts command higher wholesale prices.

The fourth layer is title and legal status. A clean title gives the buyer maximum flexibility: they can auction the vehicle, resell it wholesale, part it out, or process it for scrap. A missing title narrows options to parts-only and scrap, which reduces what the buyer can afford to pay. Based on our data, cars without titles sell for roughly $160 less on average, while a replacement title costs just $15 to $50 at your state DMV. For the full breakdown of every title scenario, see our junk car title guide.