No single table can cover every car
Search for scrap car prices in Hong Kong and you will see a huge spread: some sites say a private car is worth a few hundred to $3,000, others say $3,000 to $40,000. The gap is not because someone is lying — it is because different sites mean different things by "a car" (a five-year-old runner with all its parts and an 18-year-old water-damaged shell are both "a private car"), whether parts value is counted (pure scrap metal versus dismantling and resale can differ several times over), and because metal prices move month to month.
So the right way to use a price table is to judge whether a quote is reasonable — not to expect that you will definitely get the top of the range.
The ranges below are compiled from publicly available market information. They are not a committed price from any company, including NW Motors. The actual price is confirmed by a written quote after the vehicle is inspected.
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Hong Kong scrap car price ranges (reference)
The same model and year can land anywhere between the bottom and the top of a range — the seven factors in the next section explain most of the gap.
| Vehicle type | Typical market range | Reachable when in good order |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese small car Fit / Vitz / March class | $1,000 – $2,500 | $3,000 – $5,000 |
| Japanese mid-size saloon Corolla / Civic / Camry class | $1,500 – $3,000 | $4,000 – $6,000 |
| European car BMW / Benz / VW class (older European cars have weak parts demand and are often bought on metal weight alone) | $1,200 – $2,500 | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| MPV / 7-seater Serena / Stepwgn / Wish class | $2,000 – $3,500 | $5,000 – $8,000 |
| Luxury MPV Alphard / Vellfire class | $3,000 – $5,000 | $8,000 – $15,000 |
| Small van N-Van / Every class | $1,500 – $2,500 | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| Mid-size van Hiace / Caravan class (steady export parts demand) | $3,500 – $6,000 | $8,000 – $15,000 |
| Light goods vehicle (2.5–5.5 t) Tonnage, tail-lift or crane | $6,000 – $12,000 | $15,000 – $30,000 |
| Medium goods vehicle (5.5–10 t) Engine condition, mileage | $15,000 – $25,000 | Case-by-case quote |
| Heavy goods vehicle (over 10 t) Crane or specialist equipment | Case-by-case quote | Case-by-case quote |
| Pure scrap metal basis Flooded, fire-damaged, partly stripped, catalytic converter missing, heavy corrosion | $300 – $1,200 | — |
Compiled from publicly available market ranges (as at 2026-09-20). This is not a committed price from any company, including NW Motors. Goods vehicles and unusual models vary far too much to generalise and must be assessed individually; the actual price is confirmed by a written quote after inspection. Where a vehicle falls under "pure scrap metal basis", towing may in some cases be at the owner's cost.
Why the same car can be quoted several times apart
These seven factors drive most of the difference. They also explain why a car lands at the bottom of its range.
1 Can it be driven into the yard?
The single biggest factor. A car that drives in still has resaleable engine, gearbox and braking components — and saves the towing cost. The gap between a non-runner and a runner can be substantial.
2 Are all the parts present?
Battery, four wheels with rims, headlights, tail lights, mirrors, spare wheel and catalytic converter can each be sold separately. Every missing item costs you. Do not strip parts to sell them yourself — the drop in the overall quote is usually larger than what you gain.
3 Vehicle weight
Scrap metal is bought by weight. A 4WD version is usually heavier than a 2WD one, and a version with a sunroof or electric seats weighs more still. This is the fundamental reason MPVs and goods vehicles hold higher prices.
4 Parts market demand
Models common on Hong Kong roads have fast-moving used parts, so they fetch more. An uncommon import or a discontinued brand may not attract a high price even in good condition, simply because nobody needs the parts.
5 Age and mileage
Age affects more than wear — it affects parts compatibility. Roughly 10 to 15 years is the key band: enough of the same model is still on the road that parts demand peaks. Past 20 years, demand falls away noticeably.
6 Nature of the damage
A flat battery has the least impact; a failed gearbox or engine has the most. Front-end damage with an intact engine sits in between; flooding and fire damage are close to pure scrap; severe corrosion from long outdoor storage degrades even the scrap metal value.
7 Difficulty of extraction
Where the car is parked and whether it can be towed out directly affects cost. A surface car park is easiest; a low-clearance basement, a crane lift, a road closure on a pavement, an outlying island or a remote village road — each is reflected in the quote.
Four amounts that are not "car price" but affect what you receive
Most owners watch only the purchase figure and miss these four. Together they can be worth over a thousand dollars.
Towing fee
A non-runner has to be towed. Some companies include free on-site towing as standard; others charge roughly $400 – $700 by distance, and complex cases (low-clearance basement, seized wheels, skates needed) can reach $800 – $1,500. Always ask whether the quoted price includes towing — it is the most common excuse for deductions. (At NW Motors, towing is free on-site under standard circumstances.)
Licence fee refund (money back to you)
After the registration is cancelled, part of the licence fee is refundable if the licence still has remaining validity. The official formula: annual licence fee × 0.24% × remaining days, and the remaining validity must be 60 days or more. See the licence fee refund guide and calculator.
Outstanding licence fees or fines
These are between you and the government and should not be deducted from the purchase price. If a company tries to deduct under this heading, you can decline and settle it yourself with the Transport Department.
Plate retention fee
Keeping a cherished registration mark requires a separate application: form TD 129, a fee of $560, valid for 12 months and not renewable — and it can only be handled at the Hong Kong (Admiralty) or Kowloon (Cheung Sha Wan) Licensing Office.
Three common situations and where the price lands
These are illustrative examples using market range references. They do not represent any actual transaction.
Case A: Japanese mid-size saloon, drivable with all parts
Reference range: $4,000 – $6,000
Plus: drives in, all parts present, popular model with strong parts demand. Minus: age approaching 15 years. It usually lands in the upper-middle of the range, plus any licence fee refund that can be claimed back.
Case B: MPV, parked for a long time, keys lost, will not start
Reference range: bottom of the MPV band ($2,000 – $3,500)
A non-runner means the mechanicals cannot be assessed and a tow is required — both push the figure down. Long storage also ruins the battery, tyres and brakes. We can arrange towing for this kind of situation; the figure is confirmed after inspection.
Case C: Mid-size van, mechanically sound, still in service
Reference range: $8,000 – $15,000
Plus: Hiace-class vehicles have very high parts demand, are relatively heavy, and can be driven in. Fleets can negotiate more, but each vehicle should still be settled separately.
Change the keys, the parking situation or the condition and the figure changes. The fastest way to know where your car lands is to send us the plate, year, model and a few photos.
How to reach the top of the range
How to reach the top of the range
- Keep all the parts: do not remove the battery, wheels or lights yourself. The drop in the overall quote usually exceeds what you get for the parts.
- If it still drives, drive it in: you save the towing cost and prove the mechanicals still work.
- Wash it and clear the clutter: not for looks, but so the condition can be assessed clearly, reducing "unknown issues" deductions.
- Have the details ready: plate, year, model, engine capacity, approximate mileage and service records. Better information gets closer to the top of the range.
- Act while the licence still has 60 days or more left: this directly decides the licence fee refund — waiting a day can turn a refund into nothing.
Comparison checklist
- Ask at least three companies, using the same information (same photos, same description) so the comparison is valid.
- Ask for the quote in writing, stating whether towing is included, whether there are other deductions, and that the price will not be renegotiated on site.
- Do not simply pick the highest number: the highest is often the one planning to negotiate down on arrival. Choose the one that is reasonable in price, willing to put it in writing, and has a physical yard.
- Do not rush: time pressure is the most expensive cost. Start asking two to three weeks ahead.
What to make of an "up to $XX,XXX" advert
These numbers are not necessarily false, but ask three questions:
1 Which vehicle type?
Goods vehicles and private cars differ several times over; adverts rarely make this clear.
2 In what condition?
"High price" usually refers to the top case: excellent condition, popular model, all parts present, drivable.
3 Is it "up to" or "typical"?
Words like "from", "up to" and "最高可達" do not legally constitute a quote for your car.
A more practical test: compare the advertised figure with the individual quotes you receive. If a quote is clearly above the market range and given without seeing the car, treat it as a warning rather than a bargain — watch for deductions on handover day justified by "condition not as described" or "towing distance".
The "one-for-one" EV scheme ended on 31 March 2026
If you are thinking about scrapping a car because of "one-for-one", this is the part you most need to read today.
- On 25 February 2026 the Government announced that the first registration tax concession for electric private cars — including the one-for-one replacement scheme — would not continue after it expired on 31 March 2026.
- The Transport Department now states that the scheme concluded on 31 March 2026 and that only applications under the Government's one-off transitional arrangement are accepted. Electric private cars whose first registration application is submitted on or after 1 April 2026 no longer receive the concession.
- The one-off transitional arrangement only covers cars already ordered: the replacement e-PC must have been ordered on or before 25 February 2026, or already arranged by the owner to be shipped to Hong Kong for personal use. If you order a car after 25 February 2026, you can no longer obtain the higher one-for-one concession.
- The arrangement has two deadlines: the application and supporting documents must be submitted on or before 24 February 2027 and verified and approved by the Transport Department; the approved e-PC must be first registered on or before 24 February 2027, or within five working days after the approval (whichever is later).
- The old and new cars must still meet the original conditions: the old PC first registered in Hong Kong for at least 6 years, continuous ownership as registered owner for at least 18 months, and a valid vehicle licence held for at least 10 months (304 days) out of the 12 months — or 20 months (608 days) out of the 24 months — immediately before deregistration; and the destruction and deregistration of the old car, plus the first registration application for the new car, must all take place between 28 February 2018 and 24 February 2027, no more than 3 months apart.
- The concession cap under the scheme was $172,500 (it is $58,500 for an electric private car not qualifying under one-for-one, and e-PCs with a taxable value over $500,000 get no concession) — that cap is why a "quota" had a market value, and it is the part most people now misunderstand.
- If you are unsure whether you qualify under the transitional arrangement, ask the Transport Department directly (Hong Kong Licensing Office 2804 2270, or 1823) — do not rely on what an agent or a website tells you verbally.
What this means for owners: part of the "five-figure" quotes seen historically reflected the value of a one-for-one quota. Now that the scheme has ended, if someone supports a particularly high figure for your car by referring to "one-for-one", ask them to set out the basis. We will not use an ended policy to inflate your expectations.
Scrap car price FAQ
Does the price include towing?
NW Motors provides free on-site towing across Hong Kong, 24 hours a day, with no separate towing charge under standard circumstances. If a special arrangement is needed (crane, road closure, outlying island), we will say so before quoting. Whichever company you use, get "towing included" confirmed in writing.
How long does a quote stay valid?
Scrap metal is an international commodity and prices move month to month, so quotes are normally time-limited and need to be reissued after they expire — that is standard practice. Note, however, that movements should be measured in hundreds of dollars, not large drops within a single day.
Should I strip parts and sell them separately?
In most cases no. Removing parts lowers the overall quote by more than the parts are worth, and it gives the buyer an excuse to deduct on site. Handling batteries and engine oil yourself also engages waste disposal rules.
Is a car that has been off the road for years worth anything?
Yes, but mainly its scrap metal value plus whatever parts are still sound. Long storage ruins the battery, tyres and brakes and may corrode the body, so the figure is noticeably lower. The sooner you handle it, the less value is lost — and a licence fee refund may still be available if the 60-day threshold is met.
Can I scrap a car without the registration book?
Yes. You can first apply for a duplicate vehicle registration document using form TD 151 ($60 per copy), then proceed with handover and cancellation. See the lost documents guide.
What still has to be done after scrapping?
Within 15 days of scrapping, the owner must take the original vehicle destruction certificate (the "scrapping certificate"), the original registration book, identity documents and a completed form TD 184 to a Transport Department licensing office to cancel the vehicle registration. Do not miss the deadline — otherwise you remain liable for the vehicle.
Can the licence fee be refunded?
Yes. If the licence has 60 days or more remaining when cancellation is notified, part of the fee is refundable as "annual licence fee × 0.24% × remaining days", paid by the Treasury in a crossed cheque to the registered owner. See Transport Department vehicle licensing and registration FAQ Q7 / Q10.
How much does it cost to keep my registration mark?
Form TD 129, a fee of $560, handled at the Hong Kong (Admiralty) or Kowloon (Cheung Sha Wan) Licensing Office. Applied for in person, the retention certificate is issued the same day, is valid for 12 months and is not renewable. If the vehicle has been destroyed, the original scrapping certificate must be produced.
Can I still use the "one-for-one" scheme?
The scheme ended on 31 March 2026. The only exception is the one-off transitional arrangement, which covers replacement e-PCs ordered on or before 25 February 2026 — if you order a car after that date you can no longer take part. See the section above, or ask the Transport Department directly (2804 2270 / 1823).
Does scrapping an EV or hybrid work differently?
The procedure is the same: you still receive a vehicle destruction certificate and must cancel the registration within 15 days. On price, an EV has no conventional engine or gearbox, but the battery pack is a component requiring special handling and a different recycling route, so each case has to be assessed individually. Send us the model, year and battery condition and we will confirm whether we can handle it before quoting.