Understanding the Difference Between Salvage Yards and Automotive Scrap Yards

When people want to cash in the old rust bucket, there are usually a few places to turn to for help. Most commonly, car owners are familiar with the terms salvage yard and scrap yard. However, many believe them to be the same place. This is not true, and salvage yards and automotive scrap yards have two very different goals and functions that only slightly overlap.

We’re here to provide more information on the differences and who you should call to sell a junk car.

Automotive salvage yard

A salvage yard is the place to go to buy automotive parts or sell entire cars. These yards will purchase vehicles in working and nonworking conditions. If the car is working, the owner can just drive it to the lot directly, though salvage yards usually have a towing service to go get the car (for a price) if needed.

Salvage yards operate by dismantling parts from broken cars and selling any working parts to other customers. Some yards allow customers to enter the lot directly and look for certain pieces or parts needed. Salvage yards can recycle any oil, gas, or antifreeze fluids in the vehicle to achieve maximum profits. Because they can achieve an excellent margin, depending on the vehicle’s state and value, these places usually offer more competitive prices.

Automotive scrap yards

Unlike salvage yards, scrap yards deal exclusively in scrap metal, most commonly disregarding the rest of the junk car. Scrap yards purchase metal in large amounts and usually pay according to the weight of the scrap metal obtained.

Scrap yards have different prices for the most common metals like zinc, copper, or aluminum. In addition to junk cars, they also usually obtain scrap metal from old appliances and loose wiring. 

Once scrap yards purchase a piece of metal, they reshape it before selling it to businesses that recycle the metals.

Automotive salvage yards usually sell any leftover metal pieces that can’t be salvaged to scrap yards.

Where to sell a junk car?

Typically, a junk car still has some or most of its parts intact, even though it’s no longer working. For most owners, contacting a salvage yard will yield a better result. Salvage yards will look at the entire car and usually give a better deal on the car based on its state and value.

Scrap yards look at only the metal parts of the car, which have limited value. If the junk vehicle is reduced to the frame, then there’s no reason to call a salvage yard. It’ll most likely end up in a scrap yard anyway.

Buying automotive parts

Automotive salvage yards can also sell old parts to customers. Since cars are continuously discarded, these yards often have a vast selection of parts and pieces to choose from. Depending on the business model, some salvage yards will remove the part from an old car, while others require the buyer to grab it from the salvage directly.

Buying metal

Scrap yards will usually sell metal to refineries or businesses that work in the metal recycling industry. They usually sell in bulk and won’t be interested in selling smaller chunks to consumers.

Here’s the deal

If you want to sell a junk car, the best bet is to contact a local salvage yard for a quote. Since they take into account all the remaining parts, they will usually offer a much better deal than a scrap yard. Car owners who need spare parts can likewise turn to salvage yards since scrap yards rarely deal in those.

If you are in the Phoenix Metro area and want a no-hassle cash offer on an old, wrecked, unwanted, salvage or burned car, SUV, van or truck, give us a call at I Buy Junk Cars. 480-771-8290.