If you are thinking about scrapping your car, “scrap value” isn’t just one number. It is actually two separate amounts added together. Here is how to work out what your car is really worth, and what goes into each part of that calculation.

Table of Contents
  1. What Makes Up Your Car’s Scrap Value
  2. What Can Lower Your Body Value
  3. How To Get An Accurate Scrap Value Quote
  4. Frequently Asked Questions

What Makes Up Your Car’s Scrap Value

Your total scrap value is made up of two parts:

  1. Paper Value: your PARF rebate (if your car is under 10 years old and hasn’t had its COE renewed) and/or your COE rebate (a refund for any unused COE time). This part is fixed, and LTA calculates it exactly. You can check your PARF rebate following the steps here.
  2. Body Value: what a scrap car dealer or car exporter pays for the physical car itself: its metal weight, parts, and condition. Unlike paper value, this part isn’t a fixed number given by LTA. It varies by scrapyard, car model, and market conditions.

Total Scrap Value = Paper Value (PARF/COE Rebate) + Body Value

What Can Lower Your Body Value

A few things reduce what a scrapyard or scrap car dealer is willing to pay:

  • Missing or damaged car body parts.
  • Fire or flood damage. Melted wiring reduces how much copper can actually be recovered.
  • Poor overall condition: heavily rusted or stripped cars yield less usable material.

How To Get An Accurate Scrap Value Quote

Since body value isn’t a fixed number the way paper value is, the only way to know your car’s real worth is to get an actual quote. A few tips:

  • Get quotes from more than one scrapyard or dealer. Body value quotes can vary noticeably between scrap car dealers and car exporters, since scrap metal rates and dealer margins differ.
  • Ask for the breakdown. A trustworthy dealer should be able to explain how much of your total payout is paper value (PARF/COE) versus body value, not just give you one lump number.
  • Check your paper value by following these steps. so you know exactly how much of any quote you are being offered is the body value the dealer is actually contributing, versus rebate money that would come to you either way.

Companies like Axpart International will walk you through this breakdown directly, so you can see exactly how your total payout is calculated, rather than just receiving a single number.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is scrap value the same as PARF/COE rebate?

No. PARF/COE rebate is only one part of your total scrap value. PARF/COE rebate is the government rebate on your Additional Registration Fee or unused COE, separate from what a scrapyard pays for your car’s actual body and metal (also known as “body value”). 

2. Why do scrap value quotes differ so much between dealers?

Because body value isn’t a fixed government figure. It depends on the dealer or car exporters network of buyers internationally, the specific dealer’s margins, and how they value your car’s condition and parts. This is why getting multiple quotes is always worth it.

3. Does a car over 10 years old still have scrap value?

Yes. Even without a PARF rebate, your car may still have a COE rebate (if there’s unused COE time left) and will always have some body value, regardless of age.

4. What is the best time to scrap my car for the highest value?

There is no fixed “best” time to scrap your car for the highest value. However, deregistering your car earlier (with more COE time left) will always increase your COE rebate portion.