Price guide reviewed July 2026
Hampshire & West Sussex
Scrap Car Prices in Hampshire & West Sussex: What Is Your Car Worth?
There is no honest one-price-fits-all answer. A small complete hatchback, a stripped family car, a damaged SUV and a non-running van can all be worth very different amounts, even when they are collected from the same postcode.
ScrapTrak works out your quote from the vehicle registration, collection postcode, weight, condition, missing parts, reusable components and the recovery work needed. We also check whether the vehicle may be worth more as salvage than as basic scrap.
- Local quotes for Hampshire and West Sussex
- Free collection included across covered areas
- Complete, damaged, MOT-failure and non-running vehicles welcome
- Bank transfer payment after vehicle and ownership checks
- DVLA guidance and Certificate of Destruction where applicable
Get a price for your vehicle
Use the vehicle registration and collection postcode first. Tell us about missing parts, no keys, accident damage, flat tyres, locked brakes, a missing catalytic converter or awkward access so the quote is based on the car as it really stands.
Latest ScrapTrak Scrap Car Price Index
This is the latest average from genuine vehicle prices quoted by ScrapTrak in Hampshire and West Sussex. It gives you a useful view of the local market, while your exact offer will still depend on the vehicle.
Quick value answer
How much is my scrap car worth?
Most scrap cars fall somewhere between roughly £100 and £600+, but the exact value depends on the vehicle rather than one national average.
Small, lightweight cars usually sit towards the lower end. Larger estates, SUVs and vans often start higher because they contain more recoverable material. A complete damaged or non-running car may be worth more again if it has useful parts or realistic salvage potential.
The local price summary above is the better market benchmark. It shows the latest approved average, median and typical middle range from qualifying completed vehicles. Your own quote can sit above or below it, so the registration and postcode are still needed for a usable figure.
Current guide ranges
How much do scrap cars usually sell for?
Public UK price guides in 2026 do not all agree. Some use yard drop-off prices, some use collection prices, some include salvage vehicles and others only count cars sent straight for recycling. That is why averages can look surprisingly different from one website to the next.
The bands below are broad planning ranges seen across current UK guides. They are not guaranteed ScrapTrak offers, but they give you a sensible starting point before you enter your registration and postcode.
| Vehicle type | Broad 2026 planning range | Typical examples | What may move it higher or lower? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very small city car or light supermini | Around £100–£250 | Ka, C1, Aygo, Picanto, older Micra | Low weight usually keeps the baseline down. Completeness and parts demand can help. |
| Small or medium hatchback and saloon | Around £150–£350 | Fiesta, Corsa, Focus, Astra, Golf | Weight, catalytic converter, engine and gearbox demand, alloys and access all matter. |
| Large saloon, estate or MPV | Around £200–£450 | Insignia, Mondeo, Passat, Zafira, S-Max | More weight can help, but stripped parts or difficult recovery can pull the figure back. |
| SUV or 4×4 | Around £250–£600+ | Qashqai, CR-V, X-Trail, Discovery, X5 | Heavy shells and useful drivetrains can be valuable. Seized wheels and difficult access can complicate collection. |
| Small van or light commercial | Around £200–£500 | Berlingo, Partner, Transit Connect, Caddy | Commercial parts demand, load-area condition and vehicle completeness affect the quote. |
| Large van | Around £300–£700+ | Transit, Vivaro, Sprinter, Master | Weight helps, but size, location, missing parts and recovery equipment also matter. |
| Electric or hybrid vehicle | Quoted case by case | Leaf, Zoe, Prius and other EV or hybrid models | Battery condition, damage, high-voltage safety, parts demand and specialist handling are considered. |
Compare like with like. A yard-gate price can be higher than a collected price because the seller delivers the car. ScrapTrak’s local quote includes collection across covered areas, so there is no separate collection figure to guess at later.
A table cannot see your car. Use the registration and postcode for a current local figure based on the actual vehicle.
How the quote is built
How ScrapTrak works out a scrap car price
The common explanation is “weight multiplied by the price of steel”. That is only the beginning. Your car is not a solid block of one grade of metal, and its full kerb weight includes glass, plastics, fluids, tyres, trim and other materials. It also has to be collected, checked, depolluted and processed.
Make, model, likely kerb weight, fuel type and recoverable materials set the starting point.
Engine, gearbox, catalytic converter, battery, wheels, body and keys can change the value.
Repairable damage and demand for reusable components may push the offer above basic scrap.
Postcode, access, vehicle mobility and the right recovery equipment are factored into the final offer.
Why two identical cars can receive different quotes
A Complete family hatchback
It has keys, rolls and steers, the original catalytic converter is fitted, the battery and wheels are present, and it is parked on an open driveway.
Likely result: a stronger, easier-to-confirm quote because the car is complete and collection is straightforward.
B Same model, partly stripped
The catalytic converter and battery are missing, two tyres are flat, the brakes are seized and the car is in a height-restricted underground bay.
Likely result: a lower figure or a different collection plan because recoverable value is missing and recovery takes more work.
The honest details are the useful details. Photos and clear access notes help us price the job properly before the truck is sent.
Why prices change
Why today’s quote may differ from last month’s
Scrap car prices move because several markets and practical costs move at the same time. Steel is important, but it is not the only material or the only cost involved.
Steel and ferrous markets
Most of the vehicle’s structure is ferrous material, so wider steel demand influences the baseline. International market data is useful context, but it is not a direct retail price list for a collected car.
Aluminium, copper and electronics
Alloys, wiring, motors and other non-ferrous materials add value. Modern vehicles can contain more electrical equipment than older cars.
Catalytic-converter metals
Platinum-group metals inside converters move in value. Different vehicles use different converter designs, so there is no honest flat “cat value”.
Demand for used parts
An intact engine, gearbox, body panel, light, wheel or interior can be useful on the right make and model. That can move a vehicle from scrap-only value into salvage value.
Transport and route planning
Fuel, distance, traffic, vehicle size and the recovery equipment needed all affect the practical cost of collection.
Local supply and demand
Quotes can differ by postcode because collection routes and local demand differ. That is why national averages do not always match Hampshire or West Sussex.
Metal-market headlines can be misleading. A rising steel contract does not mean every car quote rises by the same percentage. Your vehicle still has its own weight, parts, condition and collection requirements.
Old screenshots and last year’s figures are not a valuation. Request a fresh quote when you are ready to arrange collection.
Weight and vehicle type
Heavier often means more valuable — but not automatically
A large estate, SUV, MPV, 4×4 or van normally contains more recoverable material than a small city car. That gives heavier vehicles a stronger starting point.
There are exceptions. A lighter, newer car with a valuable engine, gearbox, electronics or body parts can be worth more than a heavier vehicle that has been stripped. Aluminium-bodied vehicles and electric cars also need a more specific assessment than a basic steel-per-tonne calculation.
- Kerb weight helps identify the likely material baseline
- Make, model and specification affect parts demand
- Vans and 4x4s may have valuable commercial or drivetrain parts
- EV and hybrid batteries require model-specific handling
- A stripped heavy car can still price below a complete lighter one
What matters less for pure scrap value?
Mileage: high mileage matters less when the vehicle is being recycled, although it can affect reusable parts.
MOT status: a failed or expired MOT does not remove the metal value.
Valeting: a clean car is pleasant, but polishing it does not add recoverable material. Remove personal belongings instead.
Road tax: unused tax is dealt with through DVLA and is not part of the buyer’s offer.
Car, 4×4 or van? The registration tells us the exact model and gives a much better starting point than guessing by size.
Parts and completeness
Which parts make the biggest difference to scrap car prices?
Not every component has the same effect. Some change the recoverable value, some create salvage demand and others mainly affect how easily the car can be moved.
| Part or detail | Why it matters | What to tell us |
|---|---|---|
| Catalytic converter | Contains valuable metals and can make a meaningful difference. Original and aftermarket units are not valued the same. | Say if it is present, missing, stolen or replaced. |
| Engine and gearbox | Add weight and may have reusable parts value on popular models. | Tell us if either has been removed, dismantled or is stored separately. |
| Alloy wheels | Can add material or resale value, depending on the design and condition. | Confirm how many alloys are fitted and whether the locking wheel nut is available. |
| Battery | A complete battery has recycling value and may help with steering locks, windows or moving an automatic vehicle. | Say if it is missing, flat or disconnected. |
| Wheels, tyres and brakes | A vehicle that rolls freely is much easier to collect. Missing wheels, flat tyres and seized brakes can change the equipment needed. | Tell us whether all four wheels are fitted and whether the car rolls. |
| Keys | Keys can improve salvage value and make steering, gears and access easier, although no-key vehicles can often still be collected. | Confirm whether you have a working key, broken key or no key at all. |
| Body panels, lights and interior | Condition matters when there is demand for reusable parts, particularly on newer or popular models. | Send clear photos of damage and missing panels. |
| V5C logbook | The V5C does not add metal value, but it makes the ownership and DVLA process easier. | Tell us if it is missing so the right proof and next steps can be explained. |
| EV or hybrid battery | High-voltage batteries and related components require a model-specific safety and value assessment. | Share the model, damage, warning lights and whether the battery has been removed or isolated. |
The catalytic converter question
Converters are one of the most misunderstood parts of scrap pricing. The value is not simply “petrol” versus “diesel”. It depends on the exact vehicle, engine, converter reference, whether it is original and the current precious-metal market. Removing it before requesting a whole-car quote often lowers the vehicle offer and can leave you with a harder car to move.
Something missing? You can still ask for a quote. List the missing parts rather than finding out at collection.
Scrap or salvage
Could your vehicle be worth more than its scrap weight?
Some unwanted vehicles belong in the recycling route. Others still have repair or parts value. Sending every car through the same basic weight calculation can leave money on the table.
More likely to be scrap-led
End-of-life or heavily depleted vehicles
- Severe corrosion or widespread structural deterioration
- Older low-demand vehicle with major mechanical failure
- Fire damage, heavy contamination or extensive stripping
- Missing major components and little reusable value
- Repair cost comfortably exceeds any realistic market value
More likely to attract salvage value
Complete vehicles with repair or parts potential
- Newer accident-damaged or insurance-written-off cars
- Cat N or Cat S vehicles with recoverable components
- Popular engines, gearboxes, panels or trim in usable condition
- Vans, 4x4s and models with strong parts demand
- Complete MOT failures where the repair is uneconomical for the owner
ScrapTrak checks the condition and vehicle details before deciding which route makes sense. A salvage offer may be stronger, but it also means the vehicle may be repaired, dismantled for parts or sold on rather than completely destroyed.
Our Salvage My Car page explains the valuation in more detail, including Cat N and Cat S cars, parts demand, photographs, insurance ownership and collection from garages or recovery yards.
Damaged does not always mean scrap. Send photos and let us assess both the scrap and salvage angle.
Local collection factors
Why your Hampshire or West Sussex postcode matters
Collection is included across ScrapTrak’s covered areas, but the postcode still tells us how the job needs to be planned. A car on an open driveway is different from one in a permit street, multi-storey, underground bay, farmyard or narrow South Downs lane.
Hampshire
Common postcode groups include PO, SO, GU, RG and SP. City routes, terraced streets, business parks, rural lanes and height-restricted car parks all need different planning.
West Sussex
Common postcode groups include PO, BN and RH. Coastal parking, town-centre restrictions, country lanes and longer rural approaches can all affect the collection method.
Easy driveway or roadside access
Open access and a vehicle that rolls and steers normally make collection simpler.
Car parks and height barriers
Send the height limit, level, bay location and whether the car can move under its own power.
Rural, farm or yard collection
Share gate widths, surface condition, turning space and any restriction for a recovery truck.
Not sure whether we cover the postcode? Start the quote or use the locations hub. We will confirm the area before collection is booked.
Getting the best price
How to get the strongest fair quote without the usual games
You do not need to polish the car, buy new tyres or spend money trying to make an end-of-life vehicle look saleable. The useful work is simpler: keep it complete, describe it properly and make collection easy to plan.
Leave the important parts fitted
Removing the catalytic converter, battery, wheels, engine or gearbox before collection will usually reduce the whole-car offer.
Send honest photos
Show all four sides, the damage, wheels, tyres, interior, missing parts and where the car is parked.
Describe access before booking
Mention barriers, garages, permits, steep drives, locked steering, seized brakes and blocked-in parking.
Compare the total collected offer
A headline yard price is not the same as a collected price. Check whether collection or later deductions sit outside the advertised figure.
Deal with a private plate first
Apply to retain a personalised registration before the vehicle is collected or destroyed.
Get a fresh quote when ready
Metal and parts markets move. Quote close to the date you actually want the vehicle collected.
Do not fill the car with unrelated waste. Extra tyres, household rubbish, building waste or loose scrap are not part of the vehicle quote and can create processing or collection problems.
Ready to get the number? A complete, accurate description gives us the best chance of confirming the right price first time.
Collection-day clarity
When might a quote need to be reviewed?
A quote is only as accurate as the information behind it. If the car and access match the description, collection should be straightforward. The problems start when something important is only discovered after the recovery vehicle arrives.
- The catalytic converter, engine, gearbox or wheels are missing but were described as present
- The vehicle cannot roll or steer when it was described as movable
- The car is in a height-restricted or inaccessible position that was not mentioned
- The registration or vehicle identity does not match the quote
- There is substantial extra waste or undeclared fire, flood or structural damage
- Ownership or identification checks cannot be completed
How to avoid the awkward conversation
Tell us what you know and say when you are unsure. A quick photo is better than a guess. We would rather plan the right truck and give a realistic figure than send the wrong equipment and waste everyone’s time.
That is also why unusually high “no questions asked” prices should be treated carefully. The real comparison is the confirmed collected offer, not the biggest number on the first screen.
Something unusual about the car? Add it to the quote notes or call before booking.
Payment and paperwork
What happens after you accept the price?
Collection is confirmed
We agree the location and check access, keys, tyres, brakes and any recovery issues.
The vehicle is checked
The registration, condition, major parts and ownership details are verified at collection.
Payment is made
ScrapTrak pays by bank transfer. Cash is not used when a vehicle is being scrapped in England or Wales.
DVLA steps are completed
We explain the correct notification and the Certificate of Destruction route where it applies.
Scrap and salvage paperwork are not identical
If an eligible car or light van is completely scrapped through an Authorised Treatment Facility, a Certificate of Destruction is issued through that process. If the vehicle is repaired or sold on as salvage, it is transferred rather than destroyed, so a Certificate of Destruction is not issued.
Happy with the guide? The next step is a real quote for your registration and postcode.
Official information
Check the legal and market background
These official pages are useful when you want to double-check the rules around authorised treatment, payment, DVLA notification and vehicle tax.
Scrapping a vehicle
GOV.UK explains how to use an Authorised Treatment Facility and notify DVLA.
Authorised scrapyards and payment
Check where vehicles can be scrapped, how Certificates of Destruction work and why cash payment is not allowed for scrap vehicles in England or Wales.
Find an authorised facility
Use the official postcode search for Authorised Treatment Facilities in England.
Vehicle tax refund
DVLA refunds full remaining months of vehicle tax after the correct notification is made.
Private registration
Take a private number off the vehicle before it is collected or destroyed if you want to keep it.
Ferrous market context
The London Metal Exchange publishes ferrous market information. It helps explain market movement, but it is not a direct quote for a complete collected car.
Stop guessing and get the local price
Send the registration, postcode and honest condition details. ScrapTrak will assess the vehicle, include free collection across covered areas and confirm whether scrap or salvage gives the stronger route.
Common questions
Scrap car price FAQs
How much is a scrap car worth in 2026?
There is no single fixed price. Broad UK guide ranges run from roughly £100 for some small or incomplete cars to £600 or more for heavier vehicles, vans and vehicles with useful salvage value. Your registration, postcode, completeness, condition and collection access are needed for an actual quote.
What is the average scrap car price in the UK?
National averages are useful for market context, but they do not value your own vehicle. Different trackers use different vehicle mixes, regions and collection methods, so the only reliable answer for your car is a current quote based on its details.
Are scrap cars priced per tonne?
Vehicle weight is an important starting point, but a car is not priced by multiplying its full kerb weight by one steel rate. A car contains different materials and must be collected, depolluted and processed. Completeness, parts demand, location and access also affect the offer.
Why do scrap car prices change?
Prices move with steel and non-ferrous metal markets, catalytic-converter values, demand for used parts, local buyer demand, transport costs and collection capacity. A quote from several months ago may not reflect the current market.
Does a heavier car always get a better price?
Not always, but heavier complete vehicles often have a stronger scrap baseline. A lighter newer car with valuable reusable parts can still be worth more than a heavier stripped vehicle.
How much does a catalytic converter affect the price?
It can make a meaningful difference, but there is no universal amount. Converter value depends on the vehicle, engine, original part and current precious-metal market. A missing or non-standard converter can reduce the quote.
Do alloy wheels increase scrap value?
They can help, especially when the wheels are complete, original and usable. The effect varies by model. Missing wheels, damaged tyres or seized hubs can also make collection harder.
Can I get more for salvage than scrap?
Yes. Newer accident-damaged cars, Cat N or Cat S vehicles, popular models, vans and cars with usable engines or gearboxes may be worth more for repair or parts than for metal alone. ScrapTrak considers both routes.
Does a failed MOT reduce the scrap price?
A failed or expired MOT does not make a car worthless. For pure scrap value, weight and completeness matter more. The fail details can still affect salvage value and whether the car rolls, steers or needs specialist collection.
Can I scrap a non-runner?
Yes. Non-runners are regularly collected. Tell us whether the vehicle rolls, steers, has keys, has inflated tyres and whether the brakes are free so the correct recovery plan can be arranged.
Does having no V5C reduce the value?
A missing V5C does not change the vehicle's metal content, but extra proof of ownership and DVLA steps may be needed. Tell ScrapTrak before booking so the correct checks can be explained.
Is scrap car collection free?
Collection is included across ScrapTrak's covered areas in Hampshire and West Sussex. Your postcode and access details are checked when the quote is prepared.
Can the price change on collection day?
The quote is based on the information supplied. If the vehicle matches the description, collection should be straightforward. A material difference such as a missing catalytic converter, missing wheels, undeclared damage or inaccessible parking may require the price or collection plan to be reviewed.
How will I be paid for a scrap car?
ScrapTrak pays by bank transfer after the vehicle and ownership details have been checked. Cash payment is not used when a vehicle is being scrapped in England or Wales.
Will I receive a Certificate of Destruction?
A Certificate of Destruction is issued through the authorised treatment facility process when an eligible car or light van is completely scrapped. If the vehicle is repaired or sold for salvage instead, a Certificate of Destruction is not issued.