Yes, most salvage yards do buy cars. However, they are primarily interested in vehicles that are no longer road-worthy—think cars that have been in major accidents, are undriveable due to mechanical failure, or are simply old and neglected. The value isn't in the car as a whole but in its individual parts or as scrap metal. The process is straightforward: you contact the yard, describe your car's condition, get a quote, and if you accept, they typically arrange pickup and pay you on the spot, often in cash.
The price a salvage yard offers depends heavily on several key factors. The most significant is the current price of scrap metal, as the vehicle's weight is a major component of its value. Beyond scrap value, a yard will pay more if your car has desirable parts that are in good condition, such as engines, transmissions, catalytic converters, or even intact body panels and electronics from a late-model car.
| Factor Influencing Price | High-Value Example | Low-Value Example |
|---|
| Scrap Metal Market | High steel/aluminum prices | Low commodity prices |
| Vehicle Weight | Large SUV or truck | Compact sedan |
| Part Demand/Value | Late-model engine, transmission | Common, worn-out parts |
| Overall Condition | Non-running but parts intact | Severely rusted or burned |
| Title Status | Clean title (often higher value) | Salvage title |
Before you sell, it's a good idea to remove all personal belongings and call a few different yards for quotes to ensure you're getting a fair price. While you won't get retail value, selling to a salvage yard is an efficient way to dispose of a car that would otherwise be a burden, turning a liability into a bit of cash.
