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How much does a car weigh in tons?

My old car just broke down again and I don’t want to fix it anymore. I’m planning to sell it for scrap metal so I wanted an estimated weight. How much does an average car weigh in tons?

avatar
Tiffany Leung · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Sorry to hear about your car! Most cars weigh About 1.5 to 2.5 tons, but this will depend on what kind of car you drive.
Below are some factors you should take into consideration when you estimate the weight of your car:
  • Make: Cars in the same class will weigh differently depending on their manufacturer. For example, a
    Honda Civic
    and a
    Toyota Corolla
    won’t be the same weight.
  • Year: As the model gets refreshed, features are often added or taken away. Changes like a better engine could affect the weight.
  • Trim: The more features your car has, the heavier it will be.
The amount you’ll get for your car depends on the current price for scrap metals (steel, copper, and aluminum). This price will fluctuate in different locations and times of the year. If you want the best value, you will need to put in some detective work.
If your car still has a lot of working parts, you may also want to consider selling it as a salvage car. In most cases, you will be able to get a better price at the salvage yard compared to the scrap yard.
Once you get rid of your car, don’t forget to update your registration and
car insurance
—especially if you got a new car! You can do this hassle-free with the
Jerry
app.
As a licensed insurance broker, Jerry can find the best quotes from over 50 top insurance providers based on your preferences. All you have to do is pick the policy you want and Jerry can help you switch over. You won’t have to handle paperwork or phone calls since Jerry will do it for you!
MORE: How to sell a junk car for cash
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