1) Weight sets the floor

Scrap value starts with kerb weight. It isn’t glamorous, but it’s the anchor for every quote. A light city hatch will rarely match a heavier MPV or crossover on base value because there’s simply less metal to process. That’s why two tidy cars the same age can produce very different numbers before anything else is considered.

As a rule of thumb: heavier car, stronger floor price. That’s why a Fiesta and a Zafira won’t land in the same range on a quiet week at the yard.

2) The catalytic converter matters more than most people think

On many petrol cars, the original catalytic converter carries meaningful value thanks to the precious metals inside. Not all cats are equal; it comes down to the specific unit fitted to that engine family. If yours is missing or it’s been replaced with a low-value aftermarket unit, expect the offer to reflect that. In real terms around Portsmouth, that difference often lands somewhere in the £40–£90 bracket depending on model and week.

3) Completeness: alloys, battery, interior and the bits people forget

A complete car is easier to move and process. If wheels have been swapped, the battery’s gone missing, or the loom’s been cut, the driver has to work harder to load it and the yard gets less back out of it. None of this is a deal-breaker, but it will come off the top. Even four flat tyres can add hassle on tight streets and take a tenner or two out of the price.

4) Condition and whether it starts

Loads are quicker when a car starts and will roll. Non-runners are collected every day, but seized brakes, locked selectors or collapsed tyres take time to work around. On a CPZ road where we’re working inside a window, that extra time matters, and the offer nudges accordingly.

5) Keys and access

Keys help. On newer cars with electronic handbrakes or steering locks, they can be the difference between a simple winch and a more awkward recovery. Access is the other half of the story. Portsmouth is full of terraced streets, dead-ends and bays. In Southsea and the city centre, permit windows dictate when we can be there. In Cosham or Hilsea cul-de-sacs, turning room can be the pinch point. Give a couple of lines on access when you book and you usually keep the figure you were quoted.

6) Paperwork and the DVLA piece

You can scrap without a V5C. Having it just tidies the admin and keeps things moving. The Certificate of Destruction comes via the Authorised Treatment Facility. It doesn’t add to the price; it’s there to close the loop properly so the car is off the road in the right way and you’re not chased for it later.

7) Local access quirks in PO1–PO6

Small details at booking stop surprises on the day. That saves time and usually preserves the number you were hoping for.

8) Timing and the metal market

Prices move. Yard rates track the market, and the market reacts to supply and demand. Before winter MOTs you see more end-of-life cars landing at once, and numbers can soften. If you’ve had a decent quote and you’re happy with it, don’t sit on it for weeks expecting it to hold.

Portsmouth examples

Checklist: getting the best out of your car in PO1–PO6

• Don’t strip it. A complete car with the cat, battery and wheels in place nearly always does better.
• Have the keys ready. Even if it won’t start, it speeds loading.
• Bring the V5C if you’ve got it. If not, we can still complete the job.
• Send a few clear photos: four corners, mileage, engine bay, and the exhaust area.
• Note anything awkward about access (bay number, height limit, tight turn).
• If the quote looks fair, book it while the market is on your side.

Quick answers

Can you collect from CPZ bays? Yes. Tell us the times and the bay, and we’ll plan around it.

Can I scrap without the V5C? Yes. It’s easier with it, but not essential.

Do alloys always help? If they roll and aren’t cracked, generally yes.

Does MOT change scrap price? Not for pure scrap. For a borderline repair, a current MOT can help the number.