Skip to content
Cash For Cars Edmonton - Same Day Cash For Cars
(780) 934-3646
Alberta guide

Scrap vs Junk vs Salvage vs Write-Off

Four words people use for the same pile of cars — but they mean different things. Here is the difference, and where your car fits.

“Scrap,” “junk,” “salvage,” and “write-off” get used interchangeably, but they describe different things — and the difference comes down to a vehicle’s condition and history. The good news: we buy all four, running or not, so you do not need to label your car correctly to sell it.

TermWhat it meansTypical conditionMain value driverDo we buy it?
ScrapEnd-of-life vehicle, kept for recyclingNot worth repairing; often a non-runnerMetal weight + scrap-metal priceYes
JunkUnwanted or old vehicle taking up spaceMay still run; high-km, rusted, or tiredCondition + any usable partsYes
SalvageDamaged but repairable vehicleCollision, hail, or flood damageRepairable parts + remaining valueYes
Write-offInsurer-declared total lossMay still drive; deemed not worth repairParts + metal, by remaining conditionYes

Scrap

A scrap car has reached the end of its life. It is valued mainly for its metal and a handful of salvageable parts, and it is often a non-runner. Scrap car removal is the route for a vehicle that is simply done.

Junk

A junk car is unwanted, old, or in the way — but it might still start. The difference from scrap is intent: junk is no longer wanted rather than mechanically finished. Junk car removal clears it off your property.

Salvage and write-off

Salvage means damaged but repairable, while a write-off (total loss) is a vehicle an insurer decided was not worth fixing. The two overlap, and either may still run. We buy damaged and accident vehicles as-is — see how we buy damaged & accident cars.

General information only. Definitions are used loosely in everyday conversation; what matters for a quote is your vehicle’s actual condition and history.

Good questions

Scrap, junk, salvage & write-off — FAQ

A scrap car is at the end of its life and valued mainly for its metal and a few salvageable parts. A junk car is unwanted or old and taking up space, but it may still run. The line between them is condition: scrap is done, junk is simply no longer wanted. We buy both.

Salvage usually refers to a vehicle that was damaged — often an insurance write-off — but can be repaired. In everyday use it overlaps with “write-off” and “total loss.” The key point is the vehicle was declared damaged by an insurer, even if it is mechanically fixable. We buy salvage and write-off vehicles as-is.

A write-off, or total loss, is a vehicle an insurer has decided is not worth repairing — because the repair cost is close to or above the vehicle’s value. It may still run and drive. Whether it was a collision, hail, or flood loss, we buy total-loss vehicles across the Edmonton area.

If it is done and only good for metal, it is scrap; if it is old and unwanted but maybe runs, it is junk; if it was damaged but repairable, it is salvage; if an insurer totalled it, it is a write-off. You do not need to know which — describe the condition and we will quote it.

Yes. We buy scrap, junk, salvage, and write-off vehicles across the Edmonton area, running or not, with free towing and payment at pickup. You do not need to classify your car correctly to sell it — just tell us its year, make, model, and condition for a quote.
Any category, any condition

Find out what your car is worth

Scrap, junk, salvage or write-off — describe the condition and we will quote it. Free towing, paid at pickup.

What's My Car Worth Get a Free Quote
(780) 934-3646 Get a Quote