If you have an old, worn-out, unsightly car, you may be surprised to learn that it contains valuable parts and thousands of pounds of useful raw materials. No matter how rusted-out or broken down your scrap car might be, an auto recycler will often give you some money for it. However, the exact amount you’ll get for your junk vehicle depends on a wide range of factors.

Determining Prices for Scrap Cars

Valuable Parts

Even if your car is damaged or undrivable, it contains auto parts that are worth something. Catalytic converters contain precious metals, and car batteries can often be refurbished and sold. Rare or older cars may also have difficult-to-find parts for which other drivers may be willing to pay a premium. Even the most common vehicle contains over 2,000 pounds of steel and hundreds of pounds of aluminum that can be sold and recycled.

Raw Materials

Most of the value of a scrap car comes from raw metal, which is used to make everything from new vehicles to food containers and construction girders. The amount scrap yards will pay for junk cars depends largely on the current prices of these materials, which fluctuates according to supply and demand.

When automakers and construction companies are booming, the demand for steel and aluminum increases, which drives up the value of your junk car. On the other hand, demand falls when the manufacturing and construction industries are in a slump, which brings a corresponding slump in scrap metal prices. These rates change rapidly from one week to the next, and sometimes even daily.

If you’re looking to get rid of your scrap car, Denver Metal Recycling in Colorado makes it easy. They’ll pick your old vehicle up for you if you can’t bring it to their yard, and they’ll always pay top dollar for any kind of scrap metal. To get a quote for your scrap car, visit their website or call (303) 316-2880.