Do junkyards pay you for cars?
Yes, if the yard buys cars. Some yards only sell parts, so ask before you tow anything in. A yard that buys pays mostly for the metal, priced by the ton, and a little more when the car still has parts it can resell. Recent whole-car rates in Texas, Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina and Colorado run from about $120 to $240 a ton, which comes to a few hundred dollars for most sedans. Expect less if the catalytic converter, battery or wheels are gone. Bring the title, a photo ID and the keys if you still have them. Ask whether towing is free, since some yards take the tow out of the price.
Checked Oct 30, 2026