Quick answer
A scrap van is valued mainly on its weight and the scrap metal price, so size and body type matter, plus completeness, the catalytic converter, keys and V5C. We Buy Scrap Cars Corby gives an instant online price and free collection. Call 07598 314366.
- Price
- Instant online
- Collection
- Free
- Payment
- Bank transfer on collection
- Paperwork
- Certificate of Destruction
On this page
- Why vans are valued differently from cars
- How much is my scrap van worth?
- Size, payload and body type
- What affects the price of a scrap van
- Empty the van first
- Business and fleet vans
- Non-running and damaged vans
- Will the price change on the day?
- Payment and paperwork
- What to have ready
- Older and high mileage vans
- Vans sat on hard standing or in yards
- Two vehicles at once
- Related pages
Why vans are valued differently from cars
A van is built to carry weight, so it is usually built heavier than a car of a similar length. Stronger chassis, bigger axles and larger body panels all add metal. Because scrap is priced by the tonne, that extra metal is the main reason vans can be worth more than cars as scrap.
We buy vans up to 3.5 tonnes, from small car-derived vans to long-wheelbase panel vans, Lutons and pickups. Business vans and ex-fleet vans are welcome.
How much is my scrap van worth?
The value of your van comes mainly from its weight and the current scrap metal price per tonne. Size and body type are a big part of that weight. A small van and a long-wheelbase high-roof van are very different in how much metal they carry.
After weight, we look at completeness, the catalytic converter, keys and paperwork. Enter the registration and postcode on our instant price page to see a figure for your van.
Size, payload and body type
People often ask whether a van's payload affects its scrap price. Payload is how much a van is designed to carry, and it tends to go hand in hand with a heavier build. So a van with a larger payload rating is usually a heavier van, which generally means more value as scrap.
Body type matters for the same reason. A Luton box body or a dropside bed adds weight compared with a standard panel van of the same base. Pickups and 4x4s are often heavier than they look.
What affects the price of a scrap van
| Factor | Effect on price |
|---|---|
| Size and wheelbase | Longer and taller vans weigh more and are usually worth more |
| Body type | Luton bodies, dropsides and pickup beds add weight |
| Payload rating | A higher rating usually means a heavier build and more metal |
| Scrap metal market | Moves over time, so van values rise and fall with it |
| Engine, gearbox and wheels | A complete van is worth more than a stripped one |
| Catalytic converter | Missing converters lower the price |
| Keys and V5C | Make loading and paperwork simpler |
| Location and access | Part of how the price is worked out. Collection is free |
Empty the van first
Please clear the van of tools, materials, racking contents and rubbish before we collect. The price is for the van, not what is inside it, and loose items can be dangerous when a vehicle is loaded on a truck.
Fixed racking and ply lining can usually stay. If you are unsure about something bolted in, mention it when George calls.
Business and fleet vans
Tradespeople and small businesses often have an old van sitting on a unit or industrial estate after a replacement has arrived. We collect from business premises, yards and car parks as well as driveways.
Whoever sells the van needs to show photo ID and proof of address, as we are required to check the seller's name and address. If the van is registered to a business, have the V5C ready so the paperwork matches.
Non-running and damaged vans
Vans that have failed an MOT, won't start or have been damaged are still priced mainly on weight. Our collections are carried out with our own recovery trucks from Rapid Recovery Corby, so a van with a seized engine or flat tyres can usually be moved. Tell George when he calls if the van doesn't run so we can plan the right equipment.
Will the price change on the day?
The price stands as long as the van is complete and as described. If it is different when we arrive, for example the catalytic converter has been removed, we explain why before loading and you can say no.
Payment and paperwork
We pay instantly by bank transfer when we collect. The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 makes it illegal to pay cash for scrap vehicles, so we never do.
Remember to remove any tracker, dashcam or fuel card, and cancel any toll or parking accounts linked to the registration. The van goes to a licensed Authorised Treatment Facility, which issues a Certificate of Destruction and tells the DVLA. If you want to keep a private plate, transfer or retain it with the DVLA before the van is scrapped.
What to have ready
To get an accurate price and a quick collection, have these to hand:
- The registration and the postcode where the van is parked.
- Details of anything missing, especially the engine, gearbox or catalytic converter.
- The keys and the V5C logbook.
- Photo ID and proof of address for the person selling.
- Any notes on access, such as a gated yard, barrier or height limit.
Older and high mileage vans
A van that has covered huge mileage or spent years on site work is still valued mainly on its weight. Worn interiors, dented panels and tired engines don't change the metal content much. What matters is whether the major parts are still fitted and whether the paperwork is in order.
The same goes for vans with no MOT or no tax. If the van is on a SORN and kept off the road, that is fine. We collect it from where it sits, so it never needs to be driven.
Vans sat on hard standing or in yards
Vans that have been parked in a yard or behind a unit for a long time can end up blocked in by other vehicles, pallets or skips. Clearing a path to the van before the agreed collection time saves time on the day and keeps the job safe.
Two vehicles at once
Some of our trucks carry one vehicle and tow a second, so if a business has a van and a car to clear, both can often go in a single trip. Mention it when George calls, and we will plan the collection around it.
Related pages
- Our scrap van collection service covers vans up to 3.5 tonnes.
- How much is my scrap car worth? explains the general approach.
- How much is my MOT failure worth? helps if the van failed its test.
- How scrap car prices work explains weight and the market in more detail.
Get your instant price for your van now.
Last updated 14 October 2026 by We Buy Scrap Cars Corby.
Scrap Van Collection by area
- Corby
- Kettering
- Weldon
- Priors Hall Park
- Great Oakley
- Stanion
- Brigstock
- Gretton
- Cottingham
- Middleton
- Rockingham
- Geddington
- Rothwell
- Desborough
- Deenethorpe
- Wilbarston
- Stoke Albany
- East Carlton
- Rushton
- Great Easton
- Caldecott
- Harringworth
- Bulwick
- Grafton Underwood
- Lowick
- Barton Seagrave
Other price guides: Scrap Car Collection · MOT Failures · Non-Runners · Damaged Cars and Write-Offs
Helpful guides
- How to scrap a car legally
- Certificate of Destruction explained
- Scrapping a car with no logbook
- Should I scrap or repair my car?
- How scrap car prices work
Questions people ask
How much is my scrap van worth?
Mostly whatever its weight is worth at the current scrap metal price, adjusted for completeness, the catalytic converter, keys and V5C. Get an instant price online.
Is a scrap van worth more than a scrap car?
Often, because vans are usually heavier. Scrap is priced by the tonne, so more metal generally means a higher figure.
Does a bigger payload mean a better scrap price?
Usually. A higher payload rating tends to come with a heavier build, and weight is the main driver of scrap value.
What size vans do you buy?
Vans up to 3.5 tonnes, from small vans to long-wheelbase panel vans, Lutons and pickups.
Do I need to empty the van before collection?
Yes. Please remove tools, materials and rubbish. The price is for the van, and loose items are unsafe during loading.
Can you collect a van from a business unit?
Yes. We collect from business premises, yards, car parks and driveways, and collection is free.