(587) 821-3848See how weight, metal prices, the catalytic converter and parts set your price, then get a firm offer with free towing.
Ring around Lethbridge and you will hear figures that differ by hundreds of dollars for the same vehicle. Then some buyers knock money off on the day for “processing” or towing. It is hard to know whether you are getting a fair deal.
This page explains exactly what a scrap car is worth and why, so you can judge any offer, including ours. When you are ready, we will give you a firm price for your scrap car, tow it for free and pay you before it leaves.
A scrap car is mostly steel, and steel is bought by the tonne. Heavier vehicles carry more metal, so a full-size pickup or large SUV is usually worth noticeably more than a compact car. You can find your vehicle's curb weight in the owner's manual or on the sticker inside the driver's door frame.
Steel, aluminum and copper prices move with commodity markets, and scrap prices follow them. That is why the same car can be worth a different amount this season than last. Any honest buyer should quote you today's value, not a number from a website that was written years ago.
The converter contains small amounts of platinum, palladium and rhodium. It is often the single most valuable part of a scrap car. Its value depends on the vehicle, since some models carry larger or multiple converters, and on whether it is the original unit or a cheaper aftermarket replacement.
If the engine, transmission, alternator, doors, tailgate, wheels or lights are in usable condition, they can be resold for repairs. Popular southern Alberta vehicles, especially trucks, often carry parts in steady demand.
They do not. A buyer who only sells metal pays less than one who also resells parts, and buyers who charge for towing effectively pay less again.
Usually not worth it. Removing the converter, battery and wheels lowers our offer by roughly what those parts sell for, and you take on the time, tools and risk of selling them.
Not always. Some non-running vehicles are worth more than scrap because they can be repaired or have valuable parts. Our cash for junk cars service looks at that before falling back to scrap value.
Older vehicles are often heavier and built with more steel. Age alone does not make a car worthless as scrap.
Usually the highest scrap values thanks to weight, converters and parts demand.
Close behind, with plenty of steel and in-demand parts.
Middle of the range, depending on completeness and parts demand.
Lower weight, though a complete one with good parts still has solid value.
Their converters and battery packs can add value, depending on condition.
Picture two vehicles sitting side by side in a Lethbridge driveway. The first is a complete full-size pickup that stopped running last winter. It still has its original catalytic converter, aluminum wheels, a good tailgate and a transmission that worked until the engine failed. The second is a compact sedan of similar age that has had its converter stolen, is missing two wheels and had its battery taken for another car.
The pickup will be worth considerably more. It weighs more, its converter is intact, and several of its parts can be resold. The sedan is lighter, has lost its most valuable single part and is missing items that would have added value.
Both still earn a payment, but the difference shows why a flat “we pay the same for every car” offer rarely treats sellers of complete, heavier vehicles fairly. It also shows why telling a buyer exactly what is on the car matters: the price should reflect what is actually there.
We book a pickup time, our driver confirms the VIN and condition, you sign the bill of sale and you are paid. The vehicle is then towed for free. Our scrap car removal page describes the pickup itself, including vehicles in lanes, garages and farmyards.
Bring your Alberta registration and photo ID, keep your plates and cancel your insurance afterwards.
Your scrap car goes to licensed recyclers who remove and recycle the fluids, battery and tires, recover usable parts and shred the remaining shell into sorted steel, aluminum and copper.
That metal goes back into new products, which uses much less energy than producing metal from raw ore.
We pay cash for scrap cars across Lethbridge and in Coaldale, Coalhurst, Picture Butte, Nobleford, Raymond, Magrath, Taber, Fort Macleod and the rest of Lethbridge County. We also buy scrap vehicles through Cash for Cars Calgary, Cash for Cars Airdrie and Cash for Cars Red Deer.
If your vehicle still drives, compare with cash for used cars, and for storm damage see cash for hail damaged cars. All services are on the cash for cars Lethbridge homepage.
Share the year, make, model, condition and what is missing for a firm price in minutes.
Because weight, converter, parts and completeness vary so much. With the year, make, model and condition we can give a firm figure in minutes.
Yes. Our offer covers the whole vehicle, including the converter and any usable parts.
We base the offer on the vehicle's known weight and condition, so there is no surprise weigh-in.
Usually, yes, because trucks are heavier and often have larger converters.
No. Once you accept and book, the price is locked in.
A firm number, explained, with free towing and payment at pickup. Call or request your quote online.
