Car Battery Scrap Price UK: What You Can Get Paid

Scrap car battery prices in the UK vary widely, but most drivers can expect around £5 for their standard lead-acid car battery. The exact price you’ll get depends on the battery’s chemistry, weight, condition and what the recycler can recover from it.

You’ll find four main battery types being scrapped across the UK:

• Lead-acid (standard): Old-school starter batteries; low value per battery.
• Lead-acid (heavy-duty): Used in larger vehicles; better return due to weight.
• Nickel-metal hydride (HEV): Used in hybrids; moderate scrap value.
• Lithium-ion (EV): Used in electric vehicles; highest value potential.

Each chemistry carries different recovery potential, but weight drives the scrap payout because yards price the materials by weight. A typical lead-acid car battery weighs 10 to 30 kg, while lithium-ion EV packs can weigh hundreds of kilograms. That’s why returns on EV batteries are orders of magnitude greater despite their lower per-kilogram value.

Market conditions also shift prices week to week. Global metal demand, location and how busy your nearest Authorised Treatment Facility is all nudge the payout up or down. But the bigger and heavier the battery, the better the return. That simple rule explains most of the price difference drivers see.

In this quick guide, I’ll answer the questions we get the most surrounding current scrap car battery prices in the UK.

Average car battery scrap prices in the UK

Scrap car battery prices in the UK vary widely based on battery type, weight and market demand. For most batteries, the scrap value falls somewhere between £5 and £10. Lead-acid units are still the most valuable on a per-kg basis, while hybrid and EV batteries pay less because they’re harder to process and transport.

Below is a quick at-a-glance table showing the latest price ranges, cost per tonne, per-kg rates, and the average value you can expect per battery:

Prices vary so much because most UK scrap facilities primarily handle lead-acid batteries. Lead-acid remains the most valuable and widely accepted option simply because recyclers can recover almost all of the lead efficiently and sell it at strong, consistent market prices.

Non-lead batteries like nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion fetch different rates because they contain less in-demand materials, are harder to process and don’t have the same nationwide recycling infrastructure (though that is changing).

Car battery scrap price over 5 years

According to historical data from the London Metal Exchange and insights across our nationwide ATF partner network, battery scrap prices have swung quite a bit over the past five years.

• Early 2020 to 2021: Demand was weak because COVID slowed manufacturing, construction and recycling output, which pushed prices down to roughly £350 to £450 per tonne.
• 2022 and 2023: Supply chain issues and geopolitical tension (primarily between Russia and Ukraine) pushed lead values higher, with peaks around £600 to £750 per tonne.
• 2024 to late 2025: The market has settled into a steadier range of £470 to £650 per tonne thanks to the stable industrial demand and early influence of the growing EV sector.

Through 2026, we see the value of scrap car batteries holding relatively stable. The one major change you’ll see over the years involves EV battery packs.

Year-to-date, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have accounted for 28.9% of new car registrations here in the UK. That figure has historically increased year over year and will continue to as we get closer to the 2030 petrol and diesel car ban.

As demand for battery materials grows (due to EV production itself) and the recycling and re-use systems for lithium-ion and hybrid batteries become more viable, the margin for recycling improves. That’ll most likely translate into higher per-kg scrap rates for non-lead types.

Regional price differences across the UK

Prices are set against lead values and yard margin, then adjusted for logistics. Where specialist processors operate or collect locally, yards can pay more because haulage and handling are cheaper.

These figures reflect public rate boards as of November 2025 and national price checkers. Always phone ahead for a live quote, ask for per-kg or per-tonne pricing and confirm whether their rates apply to mixed or clean lead-acid batteries.

What factors influence car battery scrap prices?

Car battery scrap prices mainly depend on size, weight, market lead values and each yard’s pricing policies. Condition plays a role too, since intact batteries are easier to handle and usually worth more.

Let’s dive into how those factors work together in practice.

Battery size and weight

The heavier the battery, the more metal a recycler can recover. That directly increases its scrap value. EV and hybrid batteries sit at the top end because they contain far more material than standard starter batteries.
Typical weights by battery type:

• Lead-acid (standard car): 10 to 20 kg
• Lead-acid (heavy duty or van): 20 to 30 kg
• Nickel-metal hydride (hybrid): 20 to 50 kg
• Lithium-ion EV modules: 80 to 120 kg
• Full lithium-ion EV packs: 200 to 600 kg

Current lead market price and recycling trends

Scrap values rise and fall with the global lead price. When lead demand climbs, yards pay more. Advances in recycling tech and the growing need for battery materials also influence payouts, since improving recovery processes and increasing demand make each battery more valuable.

Scrap yard and metal recycler policies

Different car scrap yards pay different rates based on their licensing, environmental standards and handling processes. Facilities with stricter compliance, better equipment and higher demand for materials normally offer stronger payouts. Those with tighter margins and limited processing capacity pay less.

Whether the battery is intact or damaged

Intact batteries are easier and safer for yards to handle, so they usually get a much better price. Damaged or leaking units need extra processing and safety measures, which cuts into the recycler’s margin and reduces what they’re willing to pay.

When should I sell a scrap car battery?

The best time to sell a scrap car battery is technically when market demand is high, but in reality you should move it on as soon as it stops being usable. Lead-acid batteries hold the most value when they are still intact and in reasonably good condition, so waiting won’t benefit you.

Prices sometimes bump upward when there is a shortage of scrap materials and after seasons that lead to more vehicle breakdowns, like harsh winters. More scrapped cars means more demand for recovered metals, which nudges prices higher.

That said, most old batteries are only worth a few pounds. It’s not worth holding onto one hoping for a better rate. If your car is off the road because the battery is dead, or the battery is just taking up space, it makes more sense to scrap it right away and replace it so you can keep the vehicle running.

Signs your battery is nearing the end of its life:

• Slow or weak engine cranking
• Dashboard battery warning light
• Electrical faults
• Dimming or flickering lights
• Swollen or cracked casing
• Strong sulphur smell
• Battery older than 4 to 6 years
• Car struggling to start after short stops

Where to scrap car batteries in the UK

You can scrap car batteries at licensed scrap yards and Authorised Treatment Facilities, metal recycling centres and certain car parts dealers that buy used batteries. Lots of recyclers also offer mobile collection for bulk loads, which is useful for garages or anyone with multiple batteries to dispose of safely.

Licensed scrap yards and ATFs

This is the route you go if you need to scrap your whole car.

Authorised Treatment Facilities are the only government-licensed sites that can handle end-of-life vehicles safely and legally in the UK. If you’re scrapping your entire car, the ATF will remove and process the battery as part of the depollution process.

ATFs follow strict environmental rules, use approved methods for handling, storing and disposing of hazardous materials and recycling the metals inside old car batteries. Using one protects you from fines, guarantees the battery is treated safely and gets you the Certificate of Destruction you need to close everything off with the DVLA.

Metal recycling facilities

Metal recycling centres accept car batteries if they’re equipped to handle lead-acid units. They break the battery down into its core components (lead, plastic casing and electrolyte), then send each material through specialised processing.

• The lead is smelted and reused
• The plastic is cleaned and recycled
• And the acid is neutralised or converted into usable chemicals.

Using a proper metal recycler comes with clear benefits: they recover high-value metals efficiently, they pay you based on material content and like an ATF, they make certain the battery is treated safely rather than ending up in general waste.

Car parts dealers and collection services

Most garages, mechanics and auto parts stores will handle your old battery for you, especially if they’re fitting a replacement. Since a typical lead-acid battery is only worth £5 to £10, it’s easier to let them take it off your hands if you’re not planning on scrapping the whole car.

In fact, most garages actually prefer this because they collect batteries in bulk and get better rates from recyclers. It saves you the trip, keeps everything compliant, and ensures the battery ends up in the proper recycling stream.

Mobile collection options for bulk batteries

That brings us to the next point.

Mobile collection services are designed for garages, dealerships, fleet operators and people who run a repair or salvage business. They send a licensed collector to your site, load the batteries safely and transport them directly to a recycler.

You can usually arrange a pickup by contacting a local metal recycler or ATF that advertises bulk battery collections. When you schedule the pickup, you’ll need to confirm a few details:

• The minimum quantity they require
• When (and if) they can reach your location
• Whether they charge a call-out fee or simply deduct transport costs from the payout

Prices for bulk loads tend to be better than single-unit rates, but they depend on volume, distance and whether the batteries are intact and properly stored.

How do you recycle scrap car batteries?

It’s illegal to dump old batteries as they contain harmful substances. Battery acid can cause blindness and lead is very harmful to health. The most efficient way of dealing with old batteries is to have them recycled.

A recycler breaks up the battery into small pieces using a hammer mill then places them in a liquid vat where the lead and other heavy metals sink to the bottom and the plastic floats on the surface. The plastic is washed and dried and then sent to a plastic recycler, who reduces the plastic to pellets that can be used in manufacturing new battery cases.

The lead is cleaned then heated in a smelting furnace. It is poured into moulds where the impurities float to the top and are scraped off. The lead ingots are removed from the moulds ready to be made into new batteries.

The battery acid is neutralized with a compound that resembles baking soda to make it less harmful. The acid is converted into a white colourless powder that is used in glassmaking, textile manufacturing and laundry detergents.

Around 98 per cent of the materials in a car battery can be recycled, which makes a car battery a closed-loop item.

Electric car batteries are usually lithium-ion designs and they can also be recycled. The copper and steel can be stripped from them and recycled to make new metals that can be used in new electric car batteries. There are no lithium-ion recycling plants in the UK, but they can be recycled in Belgium.

Why should you recycle scrap car batteries?

For one, because it’s illegal not to. But the benefits of recycling your car battery reach far beyond simply keeping hazardous waste out of landfills. It protects the environment, saves resources, and feeds valuable materials back into the UK economy.

Environmentally speaking, recycling prevents toxic lead and acids from leaking into soil and water. And it reduces the need for new mining, which cuts emissions and conserves natural resources.

Economically, recycled lead is incredibly valuable and can be reused almost endlessly, which keeps manufacturing costs down and supports the wider automotive and energy industries. 

Proper recycling also helps maintain a stable supply of critical materials at a time when demand for batteries is rising fast. 

Legal and environmental rules for battery disposal

Car batteries are classed as hazardous waste in the UK, so their disposal is tightly regulated and it’s illegal to dispose of them in landfills. The three main laws governing how businesses collect, transport and recycle batteries are:

• Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009: Require all car batteries to be collected separately from general waste and sent to approved recyclers that can recover lead and other materials safely.
• Environmental Protection Act 1990: Prohibits disposing of hazardous waste, including car batteries, in household or mixed waste streams.
• Hazardous Waste Regulations: Mandate that batteries be stored in secure, leak-proof containers and transported by registered waste carriers, with full documentation and treatment at licensed hazardous waste facilities.

Regulators play different roles across the UK. The Environment Agency oversees compliance in England, while SEPA (Scotland), NRW (Wales) and DAERA (Northern Ireland) manage enforcement in their respective regions. They license recyclers, audit sites and make sure lead and electrolyte fluids are stored, transported and processed safely.

For individuals, the main legal requirement is simple: never dispose of a battery in household waste or fly-tip it. You have to take it to a licensed scrap yard, ATF, recycling centre or retailer that accepts used batteries.

How to get the best price for your scrap battery

If you want the strongest payout for a scrap car battery, start by comparing offers from a few local yards. In my decades’ worth of experience, prices vary more than you’d expect and some facilities pay premium rates if they work directly with smelters or large processors. Always ask for pricing per kilogram or per tonne so you can easily compare like-for-like.

Also, clean, intact batteries earn more because they’re safer to handle and cheaper to process. Wipe off the excess dirt, keep the casing undamaged and store it upright to keep it from leaking.  And of course, it helps to sell at times when metal demand is strong because lead prices directly influence scrap values. But don’t waste months trying to time the market.

If you have multiple batteries, sell them together. Yards pay better bulk rates and might offer you a free or discounted collection, which increases your net return.

The bottom line

Scrap car batteries don’t earn huge payouts, but they’re still worth recycling properly. Prices depend on weight, battery type, condition and local market demand, but generally net you somewhere between £5 and £10.

The real win isn’t so much the money. It’s keeping hazardous waste out of the environment and putting valuable materials back into circulation. Time-wise, you’ll get the best value by selling to a licensed ATF (when you scrap your car) or mechanic (when you replace the battery).

That said, the actual best disposal option for you depends on your exact situation. So if you’ve got an old battery sitting around, make sure you recycle it safely, but explore your disposal options first.

Where is the best place to scrap a car battery?

The best place to scrap a car battery in the UK is an authorised scrap metal facility or your local recycling centre, since both are properly licensed to handle hazardous waste and recycle the battery safely.

If you’re replacing the battery, you can also hand the old one to the garage or retailer; most will take it off your hands immediately because they collect in bulk. For larger quantities, specialist services can pick up and process multiple at once.

If you’re paid for the battery, the payment will always be made by bank transfer. And given the low value of most batteries, price differences are negligible. Environmental compliance is also consistent across these routes, so the smartest choice is whatever's most convenient for you in terms of speed and proximity.

Do scrap yards pay cash for car batteries?

No. UK scrap yards cannot pay cash for car batteries. The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 requires all scrap metal payments to be made by bank transfer or another traceable method. This rule applies everywhere, so if a yard offers cash, it’s not operating legally.

Can I scrap a damaged or leaking battery?

Yes, you can scrap a damaged or leaking battery, but scrap yards and recyclers treat these batteries as higher-risk items because the acid can spill and the casing may be unstable. They’ll handle it using the same protective equipment, secure containers and isolation procedures as any other battery to prevent contamination. 

Because it requires extra work and poses safety risks, you’ll usually receive a lower payout than you would for an intact battery. The key thing is to avoid transporting it loosely; keep it upright, place it in a sturdy box or tray and take it directly to a licensed facility that can process it safely.

Can I sell multiple batteries for a higher price?

Yes. Most scrap yards and recyclers offer better rates for bulk loads because it’s cheaper and more efficient for them to process several batteries at once. You may also qualify for free or discounted collection if you’ve got enough units.

To maximise what you earn, keep all the batteries intact and store them upright so the yard doesn’t downgrade the load. It also helps to call ahead and negotiate a per-tonne rate rather than a single-unit price.

What metals inside the car battery make it valuable?

Different battery types contain different metals, which is why their scrap values vary:

Lead-acid batteries contain mostly lead and lead oxide, with some copper. Lead is easy to recover and always in demand, making these the most valuable in the standard scrap market. 

Nickel-metal hydride (hybrid) batteries contain nickel, rare earth elements and sometimes cobalt, which gives them a solid per-kg value but requires specialist recyclers.

Lithium-ion EV batteries hold lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, copper and aluminium. These metals are extremely valuable and the packs are heavy, but only a few specialist facilities can process them.

Is it legal to scrap car batteries at home?

No. You can’t dispose of car batteries with regular household waste and you shouldn’t try to break them down yourself.

Car batteries are classed as ‘hazardous waste’ so you need to take them to a licensed scrap yard, recycling centre, garage or retailer that accepts used batteries. Handling or dumping them at home risks leaks, environmental damage and fines if you’re caught.

Do electric vehicle batteries have higher scrap value?

Yes. Even at similar per-kg rates, the sheer weight of an EV battery pack (between 400 and 550 kilograms) means the total payout is significantly higher. They also hold materials like lithium, nickel, cobalt and copper, which adds to their overall value when processed by specialist recyclers.

As of now, EV battery recycling is in its infancy. Over the next decade, as the demand for electric cars increases and recycling technology improves, their scrap and resale values will increase.

How do I safely transport a car battery to a scrap yard?

Transporting a car battery is simple, but you need to keep it safe and upright. Place it in a leakproof container or tray and keep it upright so the acid stays contained. Also make sure the terminals can’t touch anything metal; covering them with tape works well.

Secure the battery so it doesn’t tip over in your boot and avoid carrying it in the passenger area. If the battery is cracked or leaking, double-bag it in a durable plastic container and take it straight to a licensed recycler.