Commodity markets move
Ferrous scrap, aluminum, copper, and platinum-group metals all move on their own markets. That is why a quote from last spring is not a quote today, in either direction.
Cash for scrap cars in Edmonton, with the pricing explained in the open
Firm quotes, not vague ranges
Free towing never deducted
Paid before the vehicle is loaded
The Foundation
Weight sets the floor under a scrap-car offer
Nothing with four wheels is worth nothing, and the reason is mass. Once a vehicle has been depolluted and stripped, what remains is mostly steel, with aluminum in the engine block, heads, wheels and often the hood or other panels, plus copper in the wiring.
That material sells by the tonne. Your vehicle's curb weight therefore sets a floor under the offer before anything else is considered.
This explains something that confuses sellers constantly: a rusted-out full-size truck frequently pays more than a tidy small car. The truck weighs roughly twice as much. Condition determines whether parts have value; weight determines the floor regardless.
Rough guide by class
Compact car — 1,100 to 1,350 kg
Mid-size sedan — 1,400 to 1,650 kg
Small SUV or crossover — 1,500 to 1,800 kg
Minivan — 1,900 to 2,100 kg
Half-ton pickup — 2,000 to 2,500 kg
Three-quarter and one-ton — 2,700 to 3,500 kg
Full-size van — 2,300 to 2,900 kg
What This Solves
Why quotes move and what changes the number
The catalytic converter matters
It is the single most valuable small component on most vehicles. Make, model, and engine can change converter value dramatically, which is why two similar-looking cars can quote differently.
The bad news should be volunteered early
A seller who says 'no converter, front clip destroyed, hasn't started since 2022' gets a lower quote than the optimist — and receives exactly that amount, instead of a renegotiation at the gate.
Process
How to get a firm quote
01
Send the year, make, and model.
02
Add engine and drivetrain details if you know them, especially diesel or 4WD.
03
Tell us the approximate mileage and honest condition: does it start, roll, steer, what is missing, and is the converter there.
04
Give the exact location, including whether it is in an alley, parkade, acreage, or blocked in, and we give you a firm number in minutes.
What raises and lowers your offer
The number moves for real reasons. Some details add value directly; others remove it immediately.
What raises it
Heavier vehicle class, original converter present, complete vehicle, a drivetrain that still turns, diesel components, multiple vehicles at one address, and easy access all improve the number.
What lowers it
Missing components, missing converter, light stripped vehicles, difficult recovery, and long distance on a low-value unit all push the offer down.
What does not matter
Cosmetic condition, hail damage, dead battery, flat tires, no keys, and even mileage mostly stop mattering once the vehicle is being priced as material rather than transportation.
Payment and terms
The quote should be firm, not a range and not 'subject to inspection' beyond confirming that the vehicle matches what you described. Payment is cash or Interac e-Transfer before the vehicle is loaded, and towing is free, never deducted.
We cover Edmonton and all quadrants, plus St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Beaumont, Leduc, Nisku, Devon, Morinville, Gibbons, Bon Accord, Legal, Redwater, Calmar, Thorsby, Ardrossan, Josephburg, Acheson, and the surrounding county areas. Further out — Wetaskiwin, Camrose, Vegreville, Westlock, and Drayton Valley — call and ask. Heavier vehicles travel much further economically than light ones.
Two things to watch for
"Free towing" that turns out to be a deduction from the offer
A quote revised on arrival and blamed on distance even though your address was known when the quote was given
Common Questions
Common questions
How much is my scrap car worth in Edmonton?
It depends primarily on class and weight, whether the converter and drivetrain are present, and current metal markets. Call with the details rather than working from a generic figure — five minutes gets you a real number.
Why is one quote so much lower than another?
Different parts outlets, different assumptions about what you described, and sometimes a tow fee that has not been mentioned yet. Ask each buyer what the number is based on and whether towing is deducted.
Do you pay more for trucks?
Generally yes — greater curb weight, stronger regional parts demand, and higher-value drivetrain components.
Should I remove the battery or wheels first?
No. Both reduce your offer by more than you would get selling them.
Can I get a quote without a VIN?
Yes. Year, make, model, engine and condition are enough for a firm number; the VIN gets recorded at pickup.