Scrap car prices in Detroit range from $180 to $260 per short ton as of May 2026. A typical 3,500 lb car yields $315 to $455 in base scrap value. Complete vehicles with engine, transmission, and catalytic converter intact pay above that range — most Detroit sellers receive $300 to $800 at local junk car buyers, with trucks and SUVs reaching $1,200 or more depending on weight and components.
Scrap car prices move with global steel markets and local Detroit demand. This page covers current per-ton rates, how to calculate your car's scrap value, what each metal is worth, and how to get more than pure scrap price for your vehicle.
Current scrap car prices per ton in Detroit — 2026
Detroit-area scrap yards price whole junk cars at the shredded steel rate. The national average as of early 2026 runs $146 to $206 per ton. Detroit typically comes in at the stronger end of that range — $180 to $260 per short ton — because Michigan auto production creates sustained local demand for recycled steel as mill feedstock.
| Vehicle type | Scrap price per short ton | Typical weight | Base scrap value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact car (Civic, Corolla, Focus) | $180 to $240/ton | 2,800 to 3,000 lbs | $252 to $360 |
| Midsize sedan (Camry, Accord, Fusion) | $180 to $240/ton | 3,200 to 3,600 lbs | $288 to $432 |
| Full-size sedan / minivan | $180 to $240/ton | 3,800 to 4,400 lbs | $342 to $528 |
| Pickup truck (F-150, Silverado, Ram) | $190 to $260/ton | 4,500 to 5,500 lbs | $428 to $715 |
| Full-size SUV (Tahoe, Expedition, Yukon) | $190 to $260/ton | 5,000 to 6,200 lbs | $475 to $806 |
These are base scrap values — weight times rate only. A Detroit junk car buyer who prices the catalytic converter, engine, and transmission separately will pay above these numbers on any complete vehicle.
How to calculate scrap value of your car
Calculating your car's scrap value takes three steps. This gives you a realistic floor before you call any buyer.
Step 1: Find your car's curb weight
Look up the curb weight for your year, make, and model. This is on the driver's door jamb sticker or in the owner's manual. Google "curb weight [year] [make] [model]" if you don't have those. Use the base curb weight — not GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating), which includes payload capacity.
Step 2: Convert to short tons and multiply by rate
Divide the curb weight in pounds by 2,000 to get short tons. Multiply by the current Detroit scrap rate ($180 to $260/ton). That gives you base scrap value.
Example: 2009 Toyota Camry, curb weight 3,307 lbs.
3,307 ÷ 2,000 = 1.65 short tons.
1.65 × $220/ton = $363 base scrap value.
Example: 2014 Ford F-150, curb weight 4,685 lbs.
4,685 ÷ 2,000 = 2.34 short tons.
2.34 × $235/ton = $550 base scrap value.
Step 3: Add component value on top
The catalytic converter is worth $80 to $900 depending on the vehicle. A working engine adds $300 to $1,500. A functional transmission adds $150 to $800. These are separate from scrap weight and are what push a junk car buyer's offer above the base scrap calculation.
A complete Camry — cat intact, engine runs, transmission functional — is worth $363 in scrap plus $150 to $400 in components. Total range: $513 to $763 at a Detroit junk car buyer versus $363 at a scrap-weight-only yard. Completeness of your car is the single biggest factor affecting value.
How scrap tons are measured — short ton, net ton, metric ton
Scrap yards and buyers quote prices per ton, but "ton" means different things depending on the context. This matters when comparing quotes.
- Short ton (US ton): 2,000 pounds. The standard for all Detroit scrap yards and local junk car buyers. When a local yard quotes "$220 per ton," they mean per short ton.
- Net ton: Same as a short ton in US scrap industry usage — 2,000 pounds. The terms are interchangeable in local Detroit pricing.
- Metric ton (tonne): 2,204 pounds. Used in international commodity market reporting. When you see scrap prices in financial news or global steel indices, they are usually metric tons.
- Long ton: 2,240 pounds. British standard, rarely used by US scrap yards. Not the standard in Metro Detroit.
When comparing Detroit scrap yard quotes, always confirm "ton" means short ton (2,000 lbs). A $200/short ton quote is slightly better than a $200/metric ton quote on the same car.
Scrap metal prices by material — Detroit rates
A junk car is a bundle of metals priced separately when processed. Here are current Detroit-area rates for each metal found in a typical car.
| Metal | Price per pound | Price per short ton | Where it is in the car |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shredded steel (ferrous) | $0.09 to $0.13 | $180 to $260 | Frame, body panels, engine block, suspension |
| Cast iron | $0.07 to $0.10 | $140 to $200 | Older engine blocks, brake rotors, exhaust manifolds |
| Aluminum (cast / mixed) | $0.45 to $0.75 | $900 to $1,500 | Engine block (newer vehicles), transmission case, wheels |
| Copper (mixed / insulated wire) | $1.50 to $2.80 | $3,000 to $5,600 | Wiring harness, alternator, starter motor |
Steel dominates by weight — typically 65 to 70 percent of a car's total mass. Aluminum makes up 8 to 10 percent in modern vehicles. The high per-pound value of aluminum means newer cars with aluminum engine blocks and wheels pay above the base shredded steel rate.
Catalytic converter scrap prices in Detroit
The catalytic converter is often the highest-value single component on a junk car. It contains platinum, palladium, and rhodium — metals that trade far above the price of steel. Current Detroit-area cat values by vehicle:
- Compact car cats (Civic, Corolla): $80 to $200
- Midsize car cats (Camry, Accord, Fusion): $150 to $350
- Truck and SUV cats (F-150, Silverado, Tahoe): $200 to $600
- Large truck / diesel cats: $300 to $900+
- Hybrid vehicle cats (Prius, Insight): $400 to $1,500+ (highest platinum content)
Cat theft is common in Detroit and Wayne County. A stolen catalytic converter reduces the scrap car offer by its full value — typically $150 to $500 depending on the vehicle. Do not remove the cat before selling. You will always net less selling it separately.
Detroit scrap yard prices vs junk car buyer prices
Understanding the difference tells you who to call first and what to expect from each type of buyer.
| Buyer type | How they price | Typical payout | Free towing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local direct junk car buyer | Weight + components separately | $300 to $1,200+ | Yes |
| Scrap yard / auto wrecker | Weight only (shredded steel rate) | $150 to $500 | Rarely — you deliver |
| National broker (Wheelzy, Peddle) | Algorithm + broker margin deducted | $120 to $500 | Usually |
For most sellers, a local Detroit junk car buyer produces the highest total payout because they price components above scrap weight. A scrap yard is the right call only if the car has already been stripped of all valuable parts.
What raises your car's scrap value in Detroit
- Catalytic converter intact. The single biggest value add. Do not remove it.
- Working engine. Adds $300 to $1,500 above base scrap depending on the car.
- Heavier vehicle. More weight means more metal. Trucks and full-size SUVs pay more.
- Aluminum-intensive model. Newer vehicles with aluminum engine blocks and suspension pay above the base steel rate.
- Clean title. Expands the buyer's downstream options, which produces a higher offer.
- Later model year. Higher parts demand from a larger active vehicle population.
Getting more than scrap price for your car in Detroit
Pure scrap value is the floor, not the ceiling. Junk Car Scrappers Detroit prices junk cars above base scrap by assessing component value separately. Call (313) 889-7717 with year, make, model, and condition. We quote in two minutes. On most complete vehicles with an intact catalytic converter, our offer runs $150 to $500 above pure scrap rate.
For a full breakdown of how we calculate junk car value beyond scrap price, see our junk car value guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a car worth in scrap per ton in Detroit?
Scrap car prices in Detroit run $180 to $260 per short ton as of May 2026, above the national average of $146 to $206 per ton. Detroit's position as a steel-consuming auto manufacturing market drives local ferrous prices slightly higher than the national benchmark. A 3,500 lb car at $220/ton yields $385 in pure scrap value before any component pricing.
What is the average scrap price for a vehicle in Michigan?
The average payout for a complete junk car in Michigan ranges from $200 to $600, with trucks and SUVs reaching $800 or more. The national average payout for a complete average-sized vehicle runs $250 to $350. Michigan runs slightly above that average because Detroit-area auto demand supports stronger ferrous scrap prices at the regional level.
How often do Detroit scrap car prices change?
Scrap metal prices adjust weekly at most Detroit yards, tracking steel mill demand which moves with automotive production cycles. Detroit prices tend to strengthen when Ford, GM, and Stellantis are running plants at high capacity because mill demand for steel scrap as feedstock is higher. During model changeover or plant shutdowns, prices soften. Check iScrap App or ScrapMonster for current Detroit-area rates before calling for a quote.
Does a car without an engine still have scrap value?
Yes, but significantly less. A complete vehicle with engine and transmission brings $230 to over $350 per net ton in many Detroit markets. Without the engine and transmission, that drops to roughly $110 to $160 per net ton — just the shredded steel rate. The engine alone accounts for 15 to 25 percent of a junk car's total offer at a component-pricing buyer.
Where can I track current Detroit scrap metal prices?
iScrap App and ScrapMonster publish regional scrap yard prices updated daily or weekly. The American Metal Market (AMM) publishes the HMS composite index that most US scrap dealers reference for ferrous pricing benchmarks. For Detroit-specific rates, call local yards directly — published rates often lag the current buy price by a few days.