Why "junk car value calculators" lie
Online calculators give you a polished number to capture your phone number. They don't know your title status, your catalytic converter, your zip code, or this week's scrap steel price. We do. Here's how RDB's actually prices cars in Cleveland.
The three numbers behind every cash offer
- Scrap weight. Cars are weighed in tons at the dismantler. This week's Northeast Ohio scrap steel price × your car's curb weight (minus aluminum & non-ferrous) = the floor.
- Parts demand. Catalytic converter intact (huge, often $150–$600 alone). Transmission still good. Engine still good. Wheels and stereo present. Body panels reusable. We resell parts before scrapping.
- Title & condition. Clean title = full price. Salvage/rebuilt = modest discount. No title = we handle the BMV paperwork, modest discount. Junk certificate = same as no title.
Real ranges Cleveland sellers get
These are typical RDB's payouts in Cleveland in 2026 — not guarantees. Your specific car can be more, or less, depending on the three factors above.
- Compact sedan, won't-run, no title: $200–$450 (think 2003 Civic with a blown head gasket, no plates).
- Mid-size sedan, runs rough, clean title: $450–$900 (2008 Camry with transmission slipping).
- Full-size truck or SUV, won't-run, clean title: $700–$1,800 (2005 F-150 with a bad engine, complete).
- Heavy-duty pickup or large SUV, blown engine, clean title: $900–$2,400 (2007 Silverado 2500, blown motor, runs & drives no).
- Luxury sedan/SUV, totaled, salvage title: $500–$1,500 (2010 Mercedes M-Class, front-end hit).
- Anything missing the catalytic converter: Subtract $150–$600 from the relevant range.
Want your specific car's number? Call (216) 355-6164. 60 seconds. No tricks.
What raises your payout
- Clean Ohio title in your name.
- Catalytic converter still installed.
- Transmission still shifting (even if engine is gone).
- All four wheels and tires present.
- Stereo, seats, glass intact.
- You're in Parma, Brooklyn, Seven Hills, Cleveland, Lakewood (close to our yard).
What lowers your payout
- Catalytic converter stolen or cut off (call us — we'll still buy).
- Major engine and transmission both gone.
- Heavy frame damage (frame-replacement totaled).
- Missing wheels, no glass, gutted interior.
- No title and not registered to you at the BMV.
One number guarantee
The number we quote on the phone is the number we hand you in cash. If something on the car is dramatically different from what you described, we'll talk before the tow — we never play the curb-drop game. That's how other yards work, not RDB's.