It was once your Grandpa’s pride and joy. Pictures in the attic attest that it was glorious back in the 60s. Flash forward to today, it just doesn’t start; it’s got rust all over it, and the last time you wanted to surprise your pops by fixing it, the quote from the autoshop turned that into a fantasy project. It’d be better to sell it for parts. But hold on, before you call the scrap yard, get this, not all of the car is junk. Some parts are actually worth serious money, especially if you sell them separately. In this blog, we will explore what parts can be changed from scrap metal for extra dollars in your pocket.

The Catalytic Converter – The Big Money Maker

The catalytic converter looks like a regular metal can. You can find it tucked under the car just by the exhaust. It doesn’t look like much on the outside, but when you look inside, you’ll realize why it’s valuable. It is coated with precious metals like Platinum, Palladium, and Rhodium. These metals are expensive, as you can imagine, and recyclers pay top dollar to get them. Depending on the current market price and model, a catalytic converter from an SUV can get you several hundred dollars. Because of this, it’s worth checking that yours is still intact before selling or scrapping the car.

Engines & Transmissions – High-Demand, High Value

The engine is the most durable part of the vehicle. Despite the entire body being covered in rust, your engine and transmission might just be fine. Mechanics and vehicle rebuilders often buy used engines and transmissions all the time because it’s often low risk. If the engine doesn’t get back to its former glory, it can still be used for parts. If your engine starts at all, it’s far more valuable sold as one whole than for scrap. For popular name brands, you can get around $500 – $800 for your engine. Transmissions are much the same; they are often the easiest to sell.

Alloy Wheels – Worth More Than Scrap Weight

If your car has alloy (not steel) wheels, they’re worth more than their weight in aluminum. People buy them secondhand to upgrade other vehicles or send them to refurbishers who clean them up and resell. Even scratched or bent alloys can be repaired. A full set of four usually sells better than individual wheels, so keep them together if you can.

Starter Motors, Alternators, and Batteries add up

These might be harder to remove, but they’re valuable all the same. The alternator charges up your battery, and the starter starts up the engine (duh). These often overlooked parts are built to last. Most times, even outliving the car itself. Car repair shops buy them used to save customers money. And car batteries? They’re full of lead and acid—both highly recyclable. Many scrap yards and auto parts stores pay cash for them, even if they’re old.

Alternators, Starters, and Batteries – Small Parts That Add Up

Looking inside, you’ve got that OEM navigation system, that premium sound system, or even a backup camera that may seem old and outdated. But to a person with an older car, there’s a gem. It’s an upgrade to some of the substandard after-market stuff you find out there. If yours is a Bose, a JBL, or some of those factory-fitted touchscreens from Honda or Ford, put it up online. You’d be shocked at the offers around $200 you’d get flooding your inbox. That, of course, depends on the condition it’s in.

What’s Not Usually Worth the Effort

Some parts look valuable but aren’t. Trim pieces, plastic bumpers, or worn-out suspension parts usually don’t sell unless you’re targeting a rare classic car. You want to keep your focus on the high-demand items we listed above. Sometimes the fact that a part is hidden doesn’t mean it’d reward you handsomely for the effort. Stick to the catalytic converter, the wheels, and the battery. You can’t go wrong with those.

Contract Middleboro Recycling

Pulling and selling individual car parts can take time, tools, and it’s not always worth the hassle. If you’d rather get paid quickly and let the professionals handle it, Middleboro Recycling has you covered. We offer junk vehicle pickup services throughout Southeastern Massachusetts, making it easy to turn your old or non-running car into cash. Just give us a call with a few basic details about the vehicle, and we’ll provide an estimate of its scrap value. We’ll arrange pickup at a day and time that works for you. Our team tows the vehicle back to our facility and pays you for its value, no part removal or guesswork on your end. Have questions or ready to schedule a pickup? Call us at (508) 946-2383 or fill out the junk vehicle request form on our website, and let Middleboro Recycling handle the rest.