Cash for Cars — All 38 Canadian Cities

Why Scrap Car Prices Differ by City

The biggest factor is yard density. A city with 10 licensed auto recyclers competing for your vehicle will always pay more than a city with two. Ontario benefits from proximity to steel mills in Hamilton and the Sault — processors who buy HMS1 scrap in volume, creating strong baseline demand. BC benefits from Pacific export access for copper and aluminum, which pushes non-ferrous prices above the national average.

Towing costs are the second variable. In dense urban centres like Toronto and Scarborough, a yard can pick up three vehicles in one afternoon with the same truck — so free towing costs them very little per vehicle. In rural areas, the same tow might burn half a day, making free pickup less profitable for the yard and sometimes translating to lower offers.

Vehicle mix matters too. Alberta pays a premium on trucks and SUVs because they make up a larger share of the local vehicle pool — yards there have efficient processing for full-size pickups and carry more parts inventory for them. If you're scrapping a half-ton in Calgary or Edmonton, you're likely to beat the national average offer.

ScrapHub's calculator accounts for your specific province's current metal prices, your vehicle's weight and category, and condition factors — so the estimate you see reflects your actual local market, not a national average.

Common Questions About Scrap Car Removal in Canada