“Is it worth scrapping your old alloy wheels?
Right now, the national average scrap price for alloy wheels is around £1.36 per kilogram. That adds up to roughly £1,367 per tonne, thanks to the aluminium and nickel content.
If you’re scrapping a full set of four or five alloy wheels, you could expect to get around £50 from a scrap metal dealer. However, wheel nuts won’t add much to your return – they contain far less metal and are worth considerably less.
Got old steel wheels instead? Unfortunately, they don’t fetch nearly as much – expect around £150 per tonne for those.”
How Much Do Alloy Wheels Weigh?
Alloys might all share a similar look, but they come in a variety of sizes to suit different needs. If you’re driving a regular car on the road, chances are its wheels fall somewhere between 14 and 18 inches in diameter.
The size of the alloy plays a big role in how much it weighs. Smaller ones, for instance, tend to tip the scales at about 6kg, while the bigger ones can weigh closer to 10kg.
Of course, every wheel’s a bit unique—different brands and designs mean the weight can vary slightly from one to the next.
Do Alloy Wheels Add Value To Your Car?
Definitely! When you’re ready to scrap your car, resist the urge to strip it down for parts. You’ll get the best deal by handing it over as a complete unit.
No matter who you go with, taking anything off the car will lower the price they offer you. So, if only for the sake of keeping things simple, leave your vehicle intact!
Alloy Wheel Scrapping FAQs
People often ask us about wheels, so we’ve put together answers to the questions we hear the most:
Where can I sell my alloy wheels?
Selling your alloys shouldn’t be too tricky. You can offload them as scrap by themselves, but you’ll usually get a better deal if you keep them attached to (or at least paired with) your car when scrapping the whole thing.
If your alloys are still in good shape, you might even find another driver eager to snap them up and pop them right onto their own ride!
Can I take my alloy wheels to a scrap yard?
Most scrap yards will be happy to receive your alloys (though you might to call ahead first to check). In fact, if you’re only selling one or two wheels, you might have to deliver them yourself. If you’re selling a bulk load, the buyer may collect.
Alternatively, Local Scrap Cars – Recovered offers free collection for customers selling their whole car so, once again, you might be better off holding onto your wheels until the vehicle itself is ready to go!
How will I receive my payment?
We can’t speak for every scrap yard around, but generally speaking, payment will be delivered via bank transfer. This is the case when selling to one of our partnered Authorised Treatment Facilities. Cash payments for scrap cars were outlawed in 2013.
Should alloy wheels be recycled?
Recycling alloy wheels allows them to be reused or repurposed. When you scrap a car with National Scrap Car, it’ll be recycled – alloys included. This means they’ll be salvaged, if possible, or they’ll be melted down and made into something new. It’s certainly better than leaving them to rust on a scrap heap!
Can I sell alloy wheels myself?
Definitely! Selling your alloys independently is totally acceptable and is commonly done through various online marketplaces. However, selling them with us when you scrap your whole car guarantees a sale and rapid payment.
What should I bring with me when scrapping my alloys?
When scrapping wheels and wheels alone, you’re unlikely to need the same documentation required for scrapping an entire car. However, if you wanted to make sure you’ve got everything, bring:
- The alloy wheels
- Photo ID
- The V5C of your vehicle
Scrapping Your Whole Car? Get a quote!
Scrapping is made simple with us. Simply enter your vehicle reg and postcode below and you’ll be given a valuation for your car in seconds. Our scrap & salvage buyers come to you, offering top prices for your motor and free collection, no matter where in the UK you are. No hidden fees, no hassle.
Get a Free Scrap Car Quote Now