Mazda Protege Junk Car Value: Scrap Price by Year
A junk Mazda Protege is worth about $125–$325 as scrap in late 2026, depending on model year and trim. EPA test data puts its curb weight at 2,450–2,800 lb across 2000–2003; a 2003 weighs about 2,700–2,800 lb ($135–$325). CarWhere estimate tied to the USGS scrap-steel benchmark.
Sources: U.S. EPA test-car weights, USGS scrap-steel prices · Prices checked November 2026 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
Estimated scrap value
$125–$325
All years, $101–$231 per ton
Curb weight
2,450–2,800 lb
EPA test weight − 300 lb
Model years covered
2000–2003
4 years with EPA test data
Junk Mazda Protege value by model year
Weight ranges cover the Mazda Protege configurations the EPA tested in each year (engine, drive and body), so a base trim sits near the low end and a loaded 4WD or long-wheelbase version near the high end.
| Model year | Est. curb weight | Est. scrap value | Specs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 2,700–2,800 lb | $135–$325 | — |
| 2002 | 2,700 lb | $135–$310 | — |
| 2001 | 2,500–2,700 lb | $125–$310 | — |
| 2000 | 2,450–2,550 lb | $125–$295 | 2000 specs |
Years without a row weren't in EPA's test list. A neighboring year of the same generation usually weighs about the same. Estimates, not offers.
What moves the price of a junk Mazda Protege
Weight sets the floor. The Mazda Protege's tested weights span about 350 lb across the years we have, from the 2000 (2,450–2,550 lb) to the 2003 (2,700–2,800 lb). Beyond weight:
- Complete or stripped. A Protege with its engine, transmission and original catalytic converter sits at the top of the range. Yards deduct for missing parts.
- Runs or not. A running Protege can be worth more as a used car than as scrap. Check used-car values and where to sell before you scrap it.
- Title in hand. Lost it? Get a duplicate first. See title fees by state and our bill of sale templates.
- Towing and location. Free pickup is priced into the offer, and yards far from a shredder pay more freight.
Compare buyers in who pays the most for junk cars, or run a specific weight or a yard's posted price through the junk car value estimator.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a junk Mazda Protege worth?
About $125–$325 as scrap metal, by CarWhere's estimate. The low end is a light early model year at a yard that deducts for towing. The high end is the heaviest configuration, sold complete with its catalytic converter. A 2003 Mazda Protege comes out at $135–$325. If yours still runs, its used-car value is likely higher than scrap.
How much does a Mazda Protege weigh?
Between 2,450–2,800 lb curb weight across model years 2000–2003, estimated from EPA test data. The heaviest year we have is 2003 (2,700–2,800 lb) and the lightest is 2000 (2,450–2,550 lb). Your door-jamb sticker or owner's manual has the exact figure for your trim.
How much do junkyards pay per ton for a Mazda Protege?
CarWhere's estimate is $101–$231 per ton of curb weight for a whole car, tied to the USGS benchmark for heavy-melting steel scrap ($318.77 per metric ton in December 2025). Yards post their own prices, which vary by region and change monthly.
Do I need a title to junk my Mazda Protege?
Usually. Most yards want the title signed over, and yards that handle five or more junk or salvage vehicles a year must report each one to the federal NMVTIS database. If you've lost the title, a duplicate from your state is usually the fastest fix.
Sources and method
- U.S. EPA: Data on Cars Used for Testing Fuel Economy (Test Car List, model years 2000–2026): curb weight = Equivalent Test Weight − 300 lb, 10th–90th percentile of tested configurations.
- USGS Mineral Industry Surveys: Iron and Steel Scrap, December 2025 (table 11, composite prices): $318.77/metric ton, December 2025.
- U.S. Department of Energy, Quadrennial Technology Review 2015, Technology Assessment 8D: Lightweight Automotive Materials: iron and steel share of vehicle mass.
- U.S. Department of Justice, NMVTIS: who must report (junk and salvage yards).
Value = curb weight in tons × $101–$231/ton (CarWhere's band, explained in the methodology). Accessed November 2026.