Detroit Junk Car Pricing Guide — What Your Car Actually Pays in 2026
Real payout ranges by vehicle type, catalytic converter grade, and Metro Detroit scrap metal rates. No lowball estimates, no filler — just the numbers we're actually paying this week. Updated November 2026.
What Detroit Junk Cars Pay by Vehicle Type
These are the actual payout ranges we've been quoting across Metro Detroit in November 2026. Ranges account for condition (running vs. non-running), completeness (cat intact, wheels on), and title status.
| Vehicle | Payout Range |
|---|---|
| Compact sedan (Civic, Corolla, Focus) | $300 – $900 |
| Mid-size sedan (Camry, Accord, Malibu) | $400 – $1,200 |
| Full-size sedan (Impala, 300, Taurus) | $500 – $1,400 |
| Small SUV / crossover (Escape, CR-V, Equinox) | $500 – $1,500 |
| Full-size SUV (Tahoe, Expedition, Suburban) | $800 – $2,500 |
| Half-ton pickup (F-150, Silverado 1500, Ram 1500) | $700 – $2,200 |
| Heavy-duty pickup (F-250/F-350, 2500/3500, Ram HD) | $1,000 – $3,500 |
| Minivan (Caravan, Sienna, Odyssey) | $400 – $1,300 |
| Cargo van (E-Series, Express, Transit) | $700 – $2,000 |
| Luxury / hybrid (Lexus, BMW, Prius) | $500 – $5,000 |
Catalytic Converter Value by Grade
The single biggest driver of your final offer. Precious-metal content (platinum, palladium, rhodium) varies by manufacturer, engine size, and emissions standard. Diesel and hybrid cats routinely add four figures to a payout.
| Grade | Value Added |
|---|---|
| Standard (domestic) | $50 – $250 |
| Foreign standard | $150 – $450 |
| Diesel | $300 – $900 |
| Hybrid | $500 – $1,400 |
| Exotic / European | $200 – $700 |
| Cut / gutted | $0 |
Detroit-Area Scrap Metal Prices — November 2026
Metro Detroit is home to some of the highest scrap steel throughput in the country thanks to the auto plants. These are current per-ton and per-pound rates from licensed processors serving Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties.
| Material | Current Rate |
|---|---|
| Whole car scrap (per ton) | $180 – $240 |
| Clean iron / steel | $155 – $200 |
| Cast aluminum (rims, blocks) | $0.55 – $0.75 / lb |
| Copper (radiators, wiring) | $3.20 – $4.10 / lb |
| Lead-acid battery | $8 – $15 each |
Rates are Detroit-area averages sampled from licensed recyclers and shredder indexes. Individual yards vary; call (313) 326-5444 for a locked quote on your specific vehicle.
How We Calculate Your Offer
Curb weight ÷ 2,000 × current shredder rate. A 4,500-lb F-150 at $200/ton = ~$450 in scrap alone before any parts or cat value.
Added on top based on grade (see table above). Intact and un-cut cats are worth $150–$1,400 depending on engine type.
Running engines, transmissions, wheels, and body panels sell to rebuilders and export markets — that's how we pay more than a scrap yard.
How to Get the Top-of-Range Price
- Keep the catalytic converter intact — a cut or missing cat deducts $150–$500.
- All four wheels and tires attached — missing wheels lower the tow-in quote.
- Have your title if possible — title-free is fine for 15+ year old vehicles under MCL 257.233, but titled cars pay slightly more.
- Don't remove the battery — it's included in the offer.
- Mention aftermarket parts (lift kits, custom wheels, upgraded stereo) — they can add real value.
- Get a quote by phone or text with your VIN or year/make/model — we lock the price for 7 days.
Get Your Locked Quote in Under 2 Minutes
Tell us your year, make, and model — we'll text back a firm number, good for 7 days.
Pricing FAQ
What's the average payout for a junk car in Detroit right now?
Most junk cars in Metro Detroit pay between $400 and $1,500 as of November 2026. Full-size pickups and SUVs regularly clear $2,000+, while compact sedans with a good catalytic converter typically land in the $500–$900 range. The single biggest variable is the catalytic converter grade — a hybrid or diesel cat alone can swing the offer by $500 or more.
How are junk car prices calculated in Michigan?
Three inputs: (1) scrap steel value based on curb weight × current per-ton rate, (2) catalytic converter grade and whether it's intact, and (3) reusable parts demand (engine, transmission, wheels, body panels). We quote the sum minus tow cost — but towing is free in Metro Detroit, so what we quote is what you get.
Why do scrap car prices change week to week?
Scrap steel is a global commodity tied to China's steel demand, U.S. auto production, and construction cycles. Detroit-area yards adjust prices weekly based on the Chicago-area shredder index. Catalytic converter prices track platinum, palladium, and rhodium spot markets, which can move 10–20% in a month.
Do you pay more than the scrap yard in Detroit?
Yes, in almost every case. Scrap yards pay steel-only rates and often deduct $100–$200 in fees. As licensed recyclers, we sell your parts (engine, transmission, wheels, cat) to rebuilders and export markets before the shell goes to shred. That parts revenue is why we pay $200–$800 more than a scrap yard on the same vehicle.
Does mileage affect a junk car's price?
Only above a threshold. If the vehicle is a running driver with under ~150k miles, we can price it as a resale (higher). Once a car is non-running or the engine is blown, mileage stops mattering — the value comes from scrap weight, cat, and parts, none of which care about odometer reading.
Do I get more if I drop the car off vs. free pickup?
No — we don't charge for tows in Metro Detroit, and dropping it off doesn't add value. Free pickup is baked into the offer already.
How do I get the top-of-range price?
Three factors push you to the high end: (1) catalytic converter intact and un-cut, (2) all four wheels/tires present, and (3) title in hand (though we can still buy title-free under Michigan MCL 257.233 for vehicles 15+ years old — the payout is slightly lower).