Scrap Yard: Your Questions Answered

As Galway’s premier scrap yard, our clients often have questions on how to get the most from their scrap metal. From hearing their questions and clearing up common misconceptions, it’s clear there is a lot of misinformation and half-truths about how a scrap yard calculates the cost of scrap metal. Therefore, we’ve compiled some of the most common questions and provided the most straightforward answers possible. If you have any additional inquiries, please contact our Galway scrap yard today.

How much do you get for a car at a scrap yard?

 Several key factors will determine the exact amount you are offered:

• Weight and Size: Heavier cars generally contain more metal, making them more valuable to scrapyards. SUVs and vans, for example, will typically fetch a higher price than smaller hatchbacks.

• Make, Model, and Age: The specific make and model influence its value, partly due to the demand for salvageable parts. Some popular models, like the Ford Focus (which had an average scrap value of €239 in Q1 2025, and €255 in March 2025), might have slightly different average values. Generally, a car's scrap value decreases with age unless it's a vintage or rare model.

• Condition: A complete car with all its main components (engine, gearbox, catalytic converter, wheels, etc.) will be worth more. If parts have been removed, the value will decrease. Significant damage can also reduce the price.

• Global Scrap Metal Prices: The value of scrap metal fluctuates based on international market demand for materials like steel, aluminium, and copper. These changes can impact the price scrapyards are willing to pay weekly or monthly.

How much are batteries worth at the scrap yard?

Fluctuating Prices: The value of scrap metal, including the lead in batteries, changes with market conditions. The price you're offered can vary from one scrapyard to another and can change over time.

Weight-Based Payment: Scrapyards pay by weight. A typical car battery weighs between 10kg and 30kg, so a single battery might fetch between approximately €4.50 and €13.50 based on the €0.45/kg price. However, this is just an estimate.

Civic Amenity Sites vs. Scrapyards: While some local civic amenity sites or recycling centres may accept old car batteries for free disposal to ensure they are recycled correctly, they do not pay you for them. Scrapyards that deal in metal recycling are the businesses that will typically purchase batteries for their lead content.

How much is copper pipe worth at scrap yard?

Some of the factors that go into estimating the price of scrap copper are:

• Purity and Condition: Scrap yards typically offer different prices for different grades of copper. "Clean Copper Tube," which is free of solder, paint, or discolouration, will fetch a higher price than copper with contaminants (sometimes referred to as "Braziery" or "Mixed Copper").

• Market Fluctuations: The price of copper is influenced by global market demand and supply, so it can change daily. The prices mentioned above are estimates based on recent listings but are subject to change.

• Scrap Yard Location: Prices can vary slightly between scrap yards due to operating costs, inventory needs, and local market conditions. It's always a good idea to check with a few local yards for the best possible price.

• Quantity: You can negotiate a better price per kilogram or ton for larger amounts of copper pipe.

Need the services of a professional scrap yard? Please get in touch with us today.