The lifespan of vehicles is increasing, with the average car in the US reaching nearly 12 years old in 2018. While vehicle longevity is improving, older cars often become less practical due to decreased fuel efficiency and increased maintenance needs. If you own an aging vehicle that’s costing you more than it’s worth, considering scrapping it for parts could be a financially savvy decision. Valuable components from a car designated for scrap can quickly accumulate to a few hundred dollars, providing a useful sum for a down payment on a newer, more reliable vehicle.
Interested in exploring the potential of selling your old vehicle as scrap for car parts? Let’s delve into the details of how you can turn your clunker into cash.
Why Choose to Scrap Your Car for Parts?
In 2018, the average US household spent nearly $10,000 on transportation expenses. A significant portion of this, around $3,700, was allocated to vehicle maintenance and repairs, in addition to fuel and vehicle payments. Older vehicles are inherently less fuel-efficient and require more frequent repairs. For example, 2010 models had an average fuel efficiency of 33.9 mpg, significantly lower than the 39.4 mpg average of 2017 models. As vehicles age, parts degrade, leading to a surge in repair needs and costs that can sometimes exceed the car’s market value.
If your vehicle frequently visits the repair shop, scrapping it may be a more sensible option. Neglecting necessary repairs is dangerous; vehicle malfunctions were responsible for over 44,000 car crashes between 2005 and 2007. Furthermore, decaying car parts pose environmental and health risks. Corrosion releases heavy metals and chemicals that can contaminate soil and water, leading to serious health issues, including poisoning and cancer, and contributing to environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Choosing to scrap your car is an environmentally responsible and potentially profitable decision. If you possess the skills and time, dismantling your car and selling individual scrap car parts can maximize your return. Let’s explore the most valuable scrap car parts you can sell for profit.
Engine: A Top-Value Scrap Car Part
The engine stands out as one of the most valuable scrap car parts. Engine replacement is a costly affair, driving demand for secondhand options. A functional engine can be readily sold to individuals seeking a replacement. Even a non-working engine retains value due to its aluminum content, which is more valuable than steel.
However, selling an engine requires preparation. You’ll need to remove it, drain fluids, and transport it, possibly needing professional assistance from a mechanic.
Selling a Junk Engine for Scrap
A car engine converts energy into motion, typically through fuel combustion. This process generates significant energy in the form of expanding gas, which the engine uses to power parts like gears, valves, and pistons. This energy is then transferred to the transmission system, ultimately turning the wheels. Engine malfunctions, whether a faulty spark plug or a damaged piston, disrupt combustion, leading to issues like overheating or failure to start.
Engines are crucial and costly; a complete rebuild can reach $4,000, while a replacement can cost up to $7,000. Selling the engine is a primary step in maximizing scrap car part value. You have two main avenues for monetizing this component:
Selling to Engine Rebuilders
If your engine is repairable, selling it to rebuilders or remanufacturers is a viable option. These companies inspect, repair, and resell engines at a lower cost than new OEM parts, making them attractive to budget-conscious buyers.
Scraping for Metal
Even a completely defunct engine holds value as scrap metal, particularly due to its aluminum components like the engine block and heads. Aluminum’s higher scrap value compared to steel enhances the profitability.
Transmission System: A High-Demand Scrap Car Part
The global automotive transmission market is estimated at over $109 billion, projected to reach $130 billion by 2026, highlighting the significant value of transmission systems. The transmission is crucial for transferring engine power to the wheels and regulating speed. It allows drivers to control vehicle speed and ensures safe operation by managing power output. Without a transmission, a vehicle would be stuck in a single gear, potentially its fastest or slowest, if it could move at all. The transmission converts engine power into torque, which is essential for wheel rotation and vehicle movement.
Signs of transmission trouble include slipping gears, burning smells, and fluid leaks. Ignoring these can lead to complete transmission failure.
Selling the Complete Transmission System
A repairable transmission system can be sold as-is to car parts buyers or repair shops, especially if you prefer to avoid repair expenses. Used transmissions have a strong market, similar to used engines.
Scraping Transmission Metal Parts
Transmission systems often contain a high percentage of aluminum, up to 85% in some cases, especially in the system cases. Other valuable metals include steel, cast iron, and brass. Scrapping these metals can yield a good return.
Catalytic Converter: A Valuable Scrap Component Due to Precious Metals
The catalytic converter’s invention was spurred by the U.S. Clean Air Act, which mandated a 75% reduction in vehicle emissions by 1975. Catalytic converters are now essential in all vehicles to reduce harmful emissions like carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxide, which are significant environmental and health hazards linked to global warming.
The value of catalytic converters makes them frequent targets for theft, with thousands of reports annually in the US. Replacing one can cost up to $2,000. While selling used catalytic converters is generally illegal due to EPA regulations prohibiting removal from vehicles, you can legally sell them for scrap. They contain valuable precious metals like platinum, palladium, and rhodium, typically 4 to 9 grams per converter. Car scrap yards are the best place to sell them, as they significantly influence the scrap value of a junk car.
GPS System: Potentially Profitable Car Tech Scrap
While smartphones have become the primary GPS devices for many, a car’s built-in GPS system can still be a valuable scrap car part. Selling a factory-installed or even a portable GPS unit with the car can add to your earnings.
Fenders: Protective and Sellable Body Panels
Fenders, often overlooked, are crucial for protecting wheel wells and the car’s undercarriage. Modern vehicles often integrate fenders and bumpers, increasing replacement costs and driving demand for used fenders. These are typically cheaper from private sellers, making them a profitable scrap car part.
Doors: More Than Just Entry Points
Car doors are essential for protection from weather and can be valuable scrap car parts. Though seemingly single units, doors comprise various components like window and mirror controls, lock mechanisms, and sheet metal, all of which can be sold separately to maximize profit. Doors are frequently needed as replacements after accidents, increasing their value as spare parts. Even individual parts like locks, handles, or side mirrors can be marketable.
Bumpers: Safety Components with Scrap Value
Damaged bumpers are a common sight on vehicles. Modern bumpers are complex, made of aluminum, steel, fiberglass, composites, and plastic, designed to minimize damage in minor collisions. A bumper in good condition can fetch a good price, depending on the vehicle’s make, model, and year. For example, a rear-ended car might have a pristine front bumper. Demand is high for bumpers, especially for popular or discontinued models where parts are harder to find.
Battery: Recycling for Cash and Environmental Benefit
While a car battery might only scrap for around $20, recycling it is environmentally responsible, keeping harmful chemicals out of the environment. Alternatively, batteries can sometimes be refurbished with distilled water and Epsom salt to extend their life.
Air Conditioning System: Cooling Comfort Can Bring Cash
A malfunctioning air conditioner is a major discomfort. However, even in a scrap car, AC system parts like the compressor and condenser can be sold. They can be reused in other vehicles or for other applications. Professional removal by a mechanic might be necessary.
Air Bags: Safety Features with Resale Value
Undeployed airbags in a totaled car can be sold. While the airbag itself is relatively inexpensive, professional installation is costly, nearing $1,000. Unused airbags are sought after to reduce these costs, and sellers can potentially earn up to $200 per airbag. Steering wheel and front passenger airbags are particularly valuable. Caution: Airbag removal is dangerous and should only be performed by trained professionals due to their explosive nature.
Windshield Wiper Arms: Small Parts, Small Profit
Windshield wiper arms aren’t high-value, but they can still contribute to your scrap car parts income. Depending on the model, they can fetch up to $65 per arm.
Tailgates: Truck Feature with Potential Value
Truck tailgates, though simple, can be worth a couple of hundred dollars if in good condition. Custom or specialized tailgates can command even higher prices.
Motor Oil & Oil Filters: Eco-Friendly Recycling with Minor Returns
Recycling motor oil and filters isn’t highly profitable, but it’s crucial for environmental reasons. Motor oil doesn’t wear out but gets dirty, making proper disposal essential. Recycling at authorized stations ensures it can be reused. Oil filters can also be cleaned and reused after oil removal.
Radio: Entertainment System with Scrap Potential
A car radio, especially a custom or upgraded system, can be a valuable scrap car part. Even stock radios are in demand for replacements or upgrades in other vehicles. Custom audio systems and speakers are particularly valuable interior components. Online sales can target individuals looking to upgrade their car audio.
Infotainment System: Modern Tech for Scrap Income
Infotainment systems, common in modern cars, offer multi-functional audio, video, and control interfaces. Functional systems are sellable at car accessory shops, pawnshops, or electronics stores. Complete sets with navigation, touchscreen, and stereo are most valuable. Online platforms and driver forums can also connect you with buyers willing to pay more for quality used tech. Even non-functional units contain valuable scrap like electrical terminals, motherboards, and metal wiring, as well as recyclable glass and plastic.
Wheels and Tires: Rolling Assets for Scrap or Resale
A complete wheel set (rims and tires) can be sold to individual buyers if safely removed. Aluminum alloy wheels are more valuable, but even steel wheels have scrap value. Tires need good tread to be profitable. Larger tires from SUVs or trucks are especially valuable.
Selling Complete Wheel and Tire Sets
Selling wheels and tires as a set simplifies removal and targets buyers with the same vehicle make and model.
Selling Tires and Wheels Separately
If you want to keep the wheels, selling just the tires is an option. Conversely, you can sell wheels separately to those only needing rims. Good condition, evenly worn tires are most sellable.
Scraping Tires and Wheels
Worn-out tires and damaged wheels still have scrap value for recycling, preventing landfill waste. Millions of tires are discarded annually, highlighting the importance of recycling.
Car Seats: Interior Comfort with Resale Value
Car seats, both front and rear, can be valuable junkyard parts if in good condition. Seats degrade over time, so well-maintained seats are desirable replacements.
Radiator: Engine Cooling Component with Metal Value
Radiators are crucial for engine cooling and contain significant aluminum, similar to engines. Functioning radiators are valuable, and even non-functional ones offer scrap aluminum value. Coolant must be drained before removal.
Windshield: Essential Auto Glass for Scrap
Automobile glass, especially windshields, is valuable due to frequent damage in minor accidents and from road debris. Both windshields and other windows are in demand as replacement parts.
Lights: Visibility and Value in Scrap Headlights and Taillights
Intact headlights and taillights are sellable spare parts. High-end lights like Xenon lights are particularly valuable. Headlights are prone to damage in accidents, creating a steady demand.
Turn Your Junk Car into Quick Cash by Scrapping for Parts
As this guide demonstrates, numerous scrap car parts hold considerable value, even from old or non-running vehicles. Parting out your car can be profitable if you have the time, skills, and tools. However, it requires time for dismantling, part valuation research, and buyer sourcing.
For a faster, easier solution, consider selling your entire junk car to a junk car buying company like Cash Auto Salvage. These companies offer free towing, quick pickup, and immediate payment, eliminating the hassle of DIY scrapping. Selling your whole car is the simplest route if you prefer to avoid the labor and potential errors of parting it out yourself.
Ready for a quick and easy way to get rid of your old car and get paid? Get an instant offer now and discover your car’s worth!
