Charlotte Junk Car Price Index

What junk cars pay by vehicle class in Charlotte

Two numbers matter for every vehicle. The scrap floor is what the metal alone is worth at the current HMS-2 rate of $219/ton: roughly 80% of curb weight is recoverable ferrous steel once fluids, glass, tires, and plastics come out. The typical paid range is what complete vehicles with the catalytic converter still attached actually sell for in this market, because parts demand usually prices above pure scrap.

Two adjustments move a vehicle inside its class. A missing catalytic converter takes roughly $100 to $200 off the number, and more on a hybrid or a V8 truck — the cat table above shows why. A vehicle sold without a title comes in lower as well, because the buyer absorbs the paperwork path. Everything else — mileage, cosmetic condition, whether it starts — matters far less than class, cat status, and title status.

Methodology: the scrap floor column is arithmetic from the HMS-2 rate in the table above (Jun 2026) applied to the midpoint of each weight band at 80% recovery. The paid column reflects our own Charlotte-area buying activity, not a national average. Rates move with the steel market, so re-check the month stamp at the top of this page before using these figures for a decision.

Catalytic converter values by vehicle (Charlotte market)

OEM cats only. Ranges reflect what local recyclers actually pay per unit; aftermarket cats trade at $10–$40 regardless of vehicle.

Want the full breakdown? Read our complete guide on how much a catalytic converter is worth in Charlotte — including how prices vary by vehicle, the precious-metals market behind the numbers, and North Carolina's recycler ID rules.