Summary
In New Zealand, an old or wrecked vehicle’s value usually comes down to 1. weight (scrap metal), 2. reusable parts, 3. location & pickup costs, and 4. paperwork/road-legal status (WOF/Rego/deregistration).
The fastest way to get a real number is to request a quote from a reputable car buyer/wrecker and compare it to what you’d realistically get selling privately (often not worth the hassle for damaged/non-running vehicles).
The honest answer: your car is worth what it can be recycled for (plus parts)
If you’re Googling things like “scrap car prices NZ”, “how much is my car worth NZ”, or “sell wrecked car NZ”, you’re usually in one of two situations:
▶ The car still has usable parts (engine, gearbox, panels, wheels, battery, catalytic converter, etc.)
▶ The car is basically end-of-life, and the value is mostly scrap metal by weight
Most vehicle buyers/wreckers in NZ price cars using a mix of scrap value + parts value – removal/logistics costs. That’s why two similar-looking cars can get very different offers. (And yep, this is also why people ask “how do wreckers price cars NZ?”.)
Kiwi reality check: If it’s non-running, rusted, written off, flood damaged, or has no WOF / no rego, private buyers often disappear the moment they hear the details. A wrecker/cash buyer is usually the simpler path.
The 4 biggest factors that decide scrap car prices in NZ
1. Weight (scrap value by weight NZ)
2. Parts that can be reused or sold
Even if the car’s a mess, certain parts can still add value:
▪ Newer model parts in demand (common makes/models)
▪ Alloy wheels/tyres with tread
▪ Battery in decent condition
▪ Catalytic converter (on some vehicles)
▪ Panels/doors/bonnet that aren’t smashed to bits
3. Condition (damage type matters)
Offers can shift a lot depending on the problem:
▪ Engine blown / gearbox issues: still may have strong parts value
▪ Accident damaged / written off: good value if parts are intact
▪ Flood damaged: often lower due to electrical risk
▪ Rust (especially structural): can reduce parts value sharply (still scrapable)
4. Location + pickup logistics
If you need free car removal NZ, the buyer is factoring in tow truck time, distance, and whether it’s an easy pickup (flat driveway vs bogged behind the shed). Many reputable operators like Car Wrecker NZ offers free pickup.
Quick DIY estimate: what you can realistically expect
If you want a rough “ballpark” before you request a quote, here’s a practical way to think about it:
1. Scrap baseline: heavier vehicle = higher baseline (because steel weight).
2. Add parts value: if it’s a popular model or has good parts, value goes up.
3. Subtract hassle: hard-to-access pickup, missing keys, or incomplete vehicles can reduce the offer.
4. Paperwork/ownership clarity: smoother ownership = smoother sale. (More on this below.)
Pro tip: If the car’s been sitting forever, grab the rego plate number (or VIN) and take a couple of photos in daylight. A clear set of photos can stop the “umm… depends” back-and-forth and get you a firm quote quicker.
What about WOF/Rego, deregistration, and the legal bits?
Selling a car in NZ: notify the change properly
Scrapping a vehicle
Cancelling registration (MR15) - only if you need to
If you want to cancel registration before disposal/scrap, Waka Kotahi provides MR15 (Application to cancel registration) and guidance on cancelling registration.
Bottom line: Even if your vehicle has no WOF or no rego, you can still sell it, it just can’t be legally driven on the road, so pickup/towing matters.
How to get the best offer (without wasting your weekend)
Do these 6 things:
▪ Be upfront: “non-running”, “rust”, “accident damage”, “flood”, “failed WOF” etc.
▪ Share the basics: make/model/year, location, and whether it starts/drives
▪ Send photos: front, back, both sides, damage close-ups, odometer (if possible)
▪ Confirm what’s included: wheels, battery, catalytic converter (if you know)
▪ Ask about removal: “Is pickup free? Same day available?”
▪ Ask about price certainty: “Will the price change on pickup, and why?”
That last one matters because people often worry: “do wreckers change price on pickup?” The best operators explain their pricing clearly and only adjust if the vehicle is materially different from what was described (e.g., missing parts, not the same model, significantly worse condition than photos showed).
Our approach (what you can expect from a good NZ-wide buyer)
We’re in this to help people clear space and keep the environment cleaner by getting unwanted vehicles recycled properly. We:
▪ Offer free vehicle removal (cars, vans, SUVs, 4x4s, utes, trucks, and more)
▪ Pay competitive offers – up to $12,000 depending on the vehicle
▪ Aim for fast pickup and straightforward payment
(And if your car’s been a lawn ornament for two years… no judgement. We’ve seen it all. 😄)