What’s That Old Car in Your Driveway Really Worth?

The value of an old, unwanted, or scrap car is based on its make, model, age, specific condition, and the current market price for scrap metal. For many Logan residents, that old car sitting in the driveway or rusting in the yard is a mystery. Is it worthless junk, or is it a hidden stack of cash?

Let’s be honest: trying to find a clear value online is confusing. Private sale websites show prices for pristine, roadworthy cars. Dealerships might offer you a tiny trade-in value. But what about a car that doesn’t run, is damaged, or just isn’t worth the cost of rego?

This is where a cash for cars service comes in. As professional auto recyclers, Metal Biz Recyclers calculates a car’s value differently. We don’t just see an old car; we see a rich collection of valuable materials.

This guide explains the 5 key factors that actually determine your car’s cash value in Logan, so you know exactly what to expect.

The 5 Factors That Determine Your Car’s Cash Value

Your car’s price isn’t just a random number. It’s a calculation based on tangible assets. When you get a quote from us, these 5 factors are the most important.

1. The Car’s Make, Model, and Year

The make, model, and year of your vehicle are the starting point for its valuation. Some cars are simply worth more, even as scrap.

This is for two main reasons:

• Parts Demand: Common models on Australian roads have a higher demand for spare parts. A 2005 Toyota HiLux, Holden Commodore, or Ford Falcon often has valuable components (like alternators, starter motors, and transmissions) that are still in high demand for repairs.
• Prestige Models: Higher-end European cars (such as Audi, BMW, or Mercedes-Benz) often contain more valuable alloys in their engine blocks and wheels, which can increase their base value.

2. The Overall Condition and Completeness

The condition of the car is a major factor, but maybe not in the way you think. A cash for cars service is not concerned with faded paint or a dirty interior. We are assessing its recycling value.

Key condition questions include:

• Is the car complete? A car with all its main parts (engine, transmission, doors, battery) is worth more than a stripped shell.
• Is it running? A running car is often worth more because its major components (engine, transmission) are proven to be functional and can be salvaged for resale.
• Is it damaged? We buy vehicles in any condition, including accident-damaged, fire-damaged, or flood-damaged cars. However, the extent of the damage (e.g., if the engine block is cracked) will influence the final offer.

3. The Current Price of Scrap Metal

This is the hidden factor most people don’t consider. Your car is ultimately a large, heavy bundle of metal.

A significant portion of a scrap car’s value comes from its raw materials. The car’s body is mostly steel, but it also contains valuable non-ferrous metals like:

• Copper (in the wiring harness)
• Aluminium (in the engine, wheels, and radiator)
• Platinum and Palladium (in the catalytic converter)

Scrap metal prices change daily based on global commodity markets. A car’s value is directly tied to its weight in steel and these other metals. This is why a heavier vehicle, like a 4×4 or a large van, often gets a higher quote than a small hatchback, even if they are in similar condition.

4. The Car’s Total Weight (Kerb Weight)

The kerb weight of your vehicle is its total weight without passengers or cargo. This is a primary metric for a recycling company.

To put it simply: more weight equals more metal, which equals more value.

A heavier vehicle, such as a Holden Colorado ute or a Toyota LandCruiser, contains significantly more steel than a small Suzuki Swift. Even if both cars are non-running and destined for the scrap heap, the heavier vehicle will always command a higher price based on its weight alone.

5. Valuable Salvageable Components

Beyond the scrap metal, a car is a collection of parts. Our valuation team assesses which specific parts can be salvaged, reconditioned, and resold.

The single most valuable component is often the catalytic converter. It contains precious metals (platinum, palladium) used to filter emissions, and its value alone can be significant.

Other valuable salvageable parts include:

• Wheels and tyres (especially if they are good-condition alloy wheels)
• The car battery
• Radiators (which contain aluminium and copper)
• Alternators and starter motors
• Intact GPS or infotainment systems

A car that has all these parts intact will receive a better offer than one that has been picked over.

Where to Sell: Comparing Your Options in Logan

You have 3 main options for selling an old car. A car’s “worth” is completely different for each, and the best choice depends on your car’s condition and your patience.

Selling Method	Potential Value	Speed	Hassle Factor	Car Condition Required
Private Sale	High. You can set your own price.	Slow. Can take 4-8 weeks.	Very High. Requires RWC, advertising costs, detailing, dealing with “tyre-kickers” and scammers.	Excellent to good. Must be registered and have a Roadworthy Certificate (RWC).
Dealership Trade-In	Low. Dealers offer a low price to maximise their own profit on your new purchase.	Fast. Done the same day you buy a new car.	Low. Very convenient, but you lose thousands in value.	Good to fair. Must be running and registered.
Cash for Cars (Metal Biz)	Fair to High (for its type). Top dollar for scrap/unwanted cars.	Instant. Can be done in 1-2 hours.	Zero. No RWC needed. Free pickup. Instant cash payment.	Any condition. Running, not running, damaged, scrap, unregistered.

As the table shows, trying to sell a non-running, unregistered, or damaged car privately is a waste of time and money. The cost of repairs and getting a Roadworthy Certificate (RWC) in Queensland is often far more than the car is even worth.

How Metal Biz Recyclers Values Your Car (Our Process)

We are professional auto recyclers, meaning our entire business is built on efficiently paying for and recycling end-of-life vehicles. We’ve made the process simple, transparent, and fast for Logan residents.

This is how you find out what your car is worth and get paid.

• Step 1: You Request a Free QuoteYou start by calling us or filling out our online form. You provide us with 3-4 simple details: the car’s make, model, year, and its general condition (e.g., “running but unregistered,” “damaged in an accident,” “won’t start”).
• Step 2: We Give You an Instant OfferBased on the 5 factors above, our team gives you a genuine, no-obligation cash offer. This is the exact amount of money you will be paid. We pride ourselves on offering top dollar because our recycling systems are so efficient.
• Step 3: We Schedule a Free Pickup in LoganIf you accept the offer, we schedule a pickup time that works for you. This is often the very same day. Our tow truck driver comes to your location anywhere in Logan—from Springwood to Jimboomba—completely free of charge.
• Step 4: You Get Paid Instant CashUpon arrival, our driver confirms the vehicle details, you sign the simple transfer paperwork (no RWC needed), and we pay you the agreed-upon amount in cash, right on the spot. We then tow the car away, and your problem is solved.

visit: https://www.metalbiz.com.au/vehicles/cash-for-cars/logan/

Common Questions About Car Valuations

Q: How much cash can I get for a car that is a total wreck?

A scrap car’s value is based on its weight. A standard sedan might be worth $150 – $400, while a heavy 4×4 or van could be worth $400 – $900+, depending entirely on the day’s scrap metal prices.

Q: Do I need a Roadworthy (RWC) or Registration to sell?

No. This is the biggest advantage of a cash for cars service. We buy cars “as-is, where-is.” You do not need to spend a cent on repairs, cleaning, or certification.

Q: What happens to my car after you buy it?

As Metal Biz Recyclers, we are an industry leader in eco-friendly recycling. Your car is taken to our state-of-the-art facility. All hazardous fluids (like oil, petrol, and coolant) are safely drained. Valuable parts are salvaged. The remaining shell is then processed, and the metals are recycled to be used in new manufacturing.

Stop Wondering and Start Earning

An old car isn’t worthless. It’s a resource. Its true value is found in its components, its parts, and its raw weight in metal.

While a private sale is impossible for a damaged or unregistered car, and a dealership will offer you next to nothing, a professional car recycler sees its true potential.

Don’t let that car rust in the driveway for another day. Stop paying rego on a car you don’t use. Stop wondering what it’s worth and find out for sure.

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Ready to find out your car’s true value? Contact Metal Biz Recyclers today for a free, instant cash quote. We service all of Logan and provide on-the-spot payment and free removal.

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