Understanding Junk Car Values by Weight
Weight is the single most important factor in determining your junk car's value. Here's everything you need to know about how weight affects pricing.
Why Weight Matters
Junk cars are primarily valued for their scrap metal content. More weight means more recyclable steel, aluminum, and other metals - which translates to a higher payout for you.
Typical Vehicle Weights
- Compact Cars (Civic, Corolla): 2,500 - 3,000 lbs
- Mid-Size Sedans (Camry, Accord): 3,200 - 3,600 lbs
- Full-Size Sedans: 3,500 - 4,000 lbs
- Compact SUVs: 3,500 - 4,000 lbs
- Mid-Size SUVs: 4,000 - 4,500 lbs
- Full-Size SUVs (Suburban, Expedition): 5,500 - 6,500 lbs
- Half-Ton Trucks (F-150, Silverado): 4,500 - 5,500 lbs
- Heavy-Duty Trucks (F-250, 2500): 6,000 - 8,000 lbs
How We Calculate Value
At RidOfMyCar.com, we use a base rate of approximately $0.06 per pound. This means:
- A 3,000 lb compact car = ~$180 base value
- A 4,000 lb SUV = ~$240 base value
- A 5,500 lb truck = ~$330 base value
We then adjust based on condition, completeness, and other factors to arrive at your final quote.