Scrapping cars for parts can be a lucrative way to earn money while recycling valuable materials. Whether you’re new to scrapping or a seasoned pro, knowing which car parts can be recycled for cash is essential to maximize your earnings. Many scrap yards and auto wreckers specialize in automotive scrap and accept various materials. Below, we’ll break down some of the most profitable car parts you can recycle for cash and give tips on getting the best rates.
Scrapping Cars: What Can You Recycle for Cash?
Many components in a vehicle can be scrapped for cash. Here’s a list of the most common car parts you can recycle, ranked by their typical scrap value (lowest to highest per pound):
- Complete Cars—The mother of all salvage scrap is the vehicles themselves. While they mainly consist of steel, you can ask many scrap yards and auto wreckers to come by to pick up your car for scrap. If you can drive the vehicle to one of the locations and drop it off, it may save on trucking costs and put more money in your pocket. That said, see if you can sell any functioning parts privately for much more money than you would get while scrapping it.
- AL Engine Blocks—Many scrappers may come across an engine block with no life left, so it must be scrapped. The engine blocks usually consist of aluminum with steel running throughout it. Scrap yards may be able to pick this up from your location, but you will always make more money if you can bring it to them yourself.
- Lead Wheel Weights—On the inside of the wheels, there is usually a piece of lead a few inches long that helps balance your car while driving. Because of the steel clips attached, they usually go for a little less than a base Lead price at most scrap yards.
- Car Batteries—Car batteries should always be appropriately recycled. They can be scrapped at most scrap yards. They are easy to remove when installing a new one, and due to their heavy weight, you can get a good handful of cash when scrapping these. Some places where you buy your new car battery will take a deposit on the new battery until you return the old one.
- Starters/Alternators—These are not very common items to come across while scrapping, but these items will add up quickly if you are scrapping vehicles. It mainly consists of copper, so starters and alternators should be separated before going to the scrap yards or salvage yards.
- Aluminum Rims—Scrapping these will be worth a higher aluminum price. They are common on most cars and can be around 25 pounds each. A set of four from a vehicle can add up to some good scrapping cash. Ask your scrap yard how to dispose of the tires correctly.
- Catalytic converters—They are the highest-paying single scrap item on a car. Ranging from prices between $15-$200 each, catalytic converters are worth a good deal of money due to the platinum, rhodium, or palladium inside of them. Cut the catalytic converter out to make more money when scrapping a whole car.
How to Find Auto Wreckers Near You
Not all scrap yards accept automotive scrap, so it’s essential to call ahead or use a reliable resource to find local auto wreckers. The iScrap App makes locating nearby yards or auto wreckers across the U.S. and Canada easy.
