Ram 1500 Junk Car Value: Scrap Price by Year
A junk Ram 1500 is worth about $230–$660 as scrap in late 2026, depending on model year and trim. EPA test data puts its curb weight at 4,600–5,700 lb across 2011–2026; a 2026 weighs about 5,000–5,200 lb ($255–$600). 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
$230–$660
All years, $101–$231 per ton
Curb weight
4,600–5,700 lb
EPA test weight − 300 lb
Model years covered
2011–2026
16 years with EPA test data
Junk Ram 1500 value by model year
Weight ranges cover the Ram 1500 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5,000–5,200 lb | $255–$600 | 2026 specs |
| 2025 | 4,750–5,150 lb | $240–$595 | 2025 specs |
| 2024 | 4,850–5,400 lb | $245–$625 | 2024 specs |
| 2023 | 4,700–5,350 lb | $235–$620 | 2023 specs |
| 2022 | 4,700–5,300 lb | $235–$610 | 2022 specs |
| 2021 | 4,700–5,300 lb | $235–$610 | 2021 specs |
| 2020 | 4,700–5,350 lb | $235–$620 | 2020 specs |
| 2019 | 4,700–5,700 lb | $235–$660 | 2019 specs |
| 2018 | 4,600–5,700 lb | $230–$660 | 2018 specs |
| 2017 | 4,600–5,700 lb | $230–$660 | 2017 specs |
| 2016 | 4,600–5,350 lb | $230–$620 | 2016 specs |
| 2015 | 4,600–5,350 lb | $230–$620 | 2015 specs |
| 2014 | 4,600–5,400 lb | $230–$625 | 2014 specs |
| 2013 | 4,750–5,200 lb | $240–$600 | 2013 specs |
| 2012 | 4,900–5,200 lb | $245–$600 | — |
| 2011 | 4,950–5,450 lb | $250–$630 | — |
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 Ram 1500
Weight sets the floor. The Ram 1500's tested weights span about 700 lb across the years we have, from the 2025 (4,750–5,150 lb) to the 2011 (4,950–5,450 lb). Beyond weight:
- Complete or stripped. A 1500 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 1500 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 Ram 1500 worth?
About $230–$660 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 2026 Ram 1500 comes out at $255–$600. If yours still runs, its used-car value is likely higher than scrap.
How much does a Ram 1500 weigh?
Between 4,600–5,700 lb curb weight across model years 2011–2026, estimated from EPA test data. The heaviest year we have is 2011 (4,950–5,450 lb) and the lightest is 2025 (4,750–5,150 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 Ram 1500?
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 Ram 1500?
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.