So it finally came down to this. That old car – once your pride and joy – is now just a big, rusty yard ornament. It sits in your Melbourne driveway, taking up space, spilling oil and attracting complaints from neighbors or local councils.
You know you need to get rid of it. But the thought of it is a nightmare. Selling it privately? You’d have to be mad. No one wants to buy a non-running, unregistered, damaged-beyond-recognition vehicle. Or so you think.
This is where the Scrap Cars Removal Melbourne industry steps in.
But “getting rid” of it and “getting the best price” for it are two very different things.
The Melbourne market for scrap car removal is crowded. A quick search will show you dozens of operators all promising “TOP CASH!” and “INSTANT $9,999!”. It’s an industry where it’s all too easy to get ripped off. You’re often dealing with a single tow-truck driver who holds all the cards, ready to haggle you down on your own front lawn.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Getting the best price for your scrap car isn’t about luck. It’s about preparation and knowing what to look for. As professionals in the industry, we at Cars Wanted Melbourne believe an informed customer is our best customer. This is our insider guide on how to get the absolute best, most honest price for your Scrap Cars Removal in Melbourne.
Before you pick up the phone, you need to know what you’re negotiating for. The “best price” isn’t just the biggest number quoted over the phone.
The best price is the total, final amount of money in your hand after a hassle-free transaction.
Here’s what that looks like:
The best price is a transparent price.
“But it’s just a heap of junk!” you say. “Why would anyone pay for it?”
This is the biggest mistake sellers make. You’re not selling a “car” anymore. You’re selling a collection of valuable commodities and parts. A professional auto wrecker like Cars Wanted Melbourne doesn’t just see a rusted-out Holden; we see a bundle of raw materials and opportunities.
Here is exactly what determines the quote you get:
At its most basic level, your car is a big block of metal. The primary value of a true “scrap” car is its weight in steel, aluminium, and other metals. This is why a heavy 4WD or a large van will almost always get a higher base price than a small hatchback. We follow the current market rate for scrap metal, which fluctuates just like any other commodity.
This is important. A 10-year-old car is not the same as a 30-year-old car, even if both are junk. Why? Parts.
A 2008 Toyota Corolla with a broken front is still full of valuable parts (rear door, transmission, interior components) that are in demand. 1985 Ford Laser? Not so much. The more common and newer your car is, the more likely it will be able to be salvaged for parts and resold, increasing your value significantly.
This is where the real money is, and it’s what separates a bargain from a great deal. We don’t just scrap every car. We are car wreckers, which means we professionally dismantle vehicles for reuse.
Engine and gearbox: Is the engine block intact? Is the gearbox (even if it doesn’t work) still available? These are rich in valuable components.
Catalytic converter: This is one of the most valuable single parts in your car. It includes precious metals such as platinum, palladium and rhodium. The size and type of your “cat” can have a big impact on the quote.
Wheels and tires: A set of four intact alloy wheels and tires with good tread is far more valuable than a car sitting on steel rims with bald tires.
Body panels and interior: Straight, undamaged doors, hoods or trunk lids can be resold. Even the intact leather seats, airbags (non-deployable) and modern GPS units add value.
A car that is “complete”—even if it’s smashed and doesn’t run—is worth more than a car that’s been stripped for parts. If you’ve already sold the battery, the catalytic converter, and the wheels, you’ve sold the most valuable bits. Always present the whole car to get the best price.
Ready to make the call? Follow these steps in order to ensure you are in the driver’s seat of the negotiation.
Before you do anything, go out to your car and gather this information. A professional buyer will ask for it, and having it ready makes you look like a serious seller.
Make: (e.g., Holden)
Model: (e.g., Commodore)
Year: (e.g., 2007)
Suburb: (e.g., Dandenong, Footscray, etc. This is for their towing logistics)
Condition: Be honest. This is the key to getting a firm quote. Don’t say it “just needs a new battery” if you know the engine is seized. A good, honest description is: “It’s been in a front-end accident, hasn’t started in six months, and all the panels are there.” This is perfect information for us.
Go through that car one last time. Check the glove box, under the seats, in the boot, and even in the CD player. You are selling the car, not your personal belongings. More importantly, remove your e-TAG! You’d be amazed at how many tolls get charged to an old e-TAG sitting in a car on the back of a tow truck.
Don’t take the first offer. Call around. But be smart about it:
Give every company the exact same description of your car.
Cars Wanted Melbourne is a great place to start, as we’ll give you a transparent, obligation-free quote that you can use as a benchmark.
Don’t just go for the highest number. A $1,000 quote that turns into $300 on your lawn is a scam. A firm $450 quote is honest.
This is how you sort the professionals from the cowboys. Ask every single one of them:
“Is that quote of $XXX firm, based on my description?”
“Is the towing 100% free, with no conditions?”
“Are there any admin fees, disposal fees, or taxes that will be taken out of my payment?”
“How will you be paying me?” (Insist on instant Osko/PayID transfer on the spot, or cash. Do not accept a cheque or a promise of “we’ll transfer it in 3 days.”)
The answers to these questions will tell you everything you need to know. A professional operator will say: “Yes, the quote is firm. Towing is 100% free. There are no other fees. We pay via instant bank transfer before we hook up the car.” That’s the one you choose.
This is the part everyone forgets! Getting the “best price” includes the money you get back from the government.
Before the tow truck arrives, remove your registration plates.
As soon as the car is gone, take the plates to a VicRoads office.
By surrendering your plates, you can claim a refund for any unused portion of your registration. This can often be $100 or more. This is your money, so don’t let it drive away on the back of a truck.
Vague Quotes:“Yeah, mate, we pay up to $9,999.” This is a meaningless, bait-and-switch-tactic.
Haggling on Arrival: This is their whole business model. They offer you $500, and when they arrive, the driver (who is often the boss) will say, “Oh, I didn’t know about that scratch… I can only do $150.” They know you’re busy, you’ve taken time off work, and you just want the car gone. It’s high-pressure, and it’s dishonest.
“Weighbridge” Scams: They tell you the price is “per tonne” and they’ll “let you know” the price after they get it to their yard. You will never see a fair price this way.
No Online Footprint: They have no website, no Google reviews, and no ABN. These are “cash-only” ghosts who are often non-compliant and uninsured. Avoid them.
Charging for a Tow: We’ve said it before, but any mention of a towing fee, “travel fee,” or “fuel levy” is a red flag. Hang up and call someone else.
At Cars Wanted Melbourne, we’ve built our business on transparency. We want the Scrap Cars Removal process to be simple, fair, and profitable for you. We provide firm, honest quotes based on the full value of your car—including its parts and its weight. Our towing is always free across Melbourne, and we pay you on the spot before we leave. We handle all the paperwork and pride ourselves on being the no-fuss solution for getting top dollar for your unwanted car.
Ready to find out what your scrap car is really worth? You don’t have to guess. Our friendly team at Cars Wanted Melbourne can give you an instant, no-obligation quote over the phone. We’re here to make the entire process easy, from your first call to your final payment.
Visit our Contact Us page to fill out our online form, or for the fastest service, give us a call right now on 0415 836 537.
Q: What paperwork do I need to sell my scrap car in Melbourne?
A: It’s surprisingly simple. All you need is a valid photo ID (like a driver’s licence) and proof that you own the car. This can be the car’s registration papers (even if they’re long expired) or a receipt of purchase. We’ll provide a simple “Deregistration” or “Notice of Disposal” form for you to sign.
Q: Will you buy my car if it’s not running or is severely damaged?
A: Absolutely! That is our speciality. We buy cars in any condition—running or not, registered or not, accident-damaged, flood-damaged, rusted-through, or completely written off. The price is based on the salvageable parts and scrap metal, not its ability to drive.
Q: How long does the entire Scrap Cars Removal process take?
A: From your phone call to our tow truck leaving, the process can be incredibly fast. We can often provide a same-day service in Melbourne. The on-site pickup itself usually takes less than 15-20 minutes. We show up, confirm the car, you sign the form, we pay you instantly, and then we hook it up and leave. It’s that easy.
Q: What happens to my old car after you take it?
A: As a responsible auto wrecker, we follow a strict eco-friendly process. First, all pollutants (oil, fuel, coolant, gas) are professionally drained. Then, valuable parts are salvaged and re-conditioned for re-use. Finally, the remaining shell is pressed and sent to a recycling facility to be melted down and used to create new steel products.
Q: Do I need to be at home for the car pickup?
A: Yes, we recommend you are there. This is to ensure we can verify your ID, you can sign the paperwork, and we can pay you on the spot. This protects both you and us and guarantees a smooth, transparent transaction.
Q: My car is just a stripped shell with no engine or wheels. Is it still worth money?
A: Yes, just less. A “complete” car is always worth more, but a stripped shell still has value as scrap metal. We can still offer you a fair price based on its weight and will still tow it away for free, saving you the hassle of getting a council fine.
