One-time signup bonus opportunities expiring soon:
Note for our readers: To qualify for these one-time perks, you'll have to follow specific details for each bonus.- Albert (Easy): Albert is a cash advance app that can spot you as much as $250 with no credit check, interest, or late fees. Join now and get $150 free.
- Solitaire Cube (Fun): If you want a simple way to earn extra cash on the side from your phone, look no further than the best solitaire game that pays real money.
- Blackout Bingo (Fun): This app lets you play bingo for money and has over 80,000 positive reviews. It is absolutely free to play Blackout Bingo and earn real-world rewards and cash prizes when you download through here.
Selling used car batteries for cash is a fairly easy way for people to make some extra cash quickly. Find out more about this business opportunity here.
Click, click, click. Uh-oh. Your car isn’t starting and it’s been making a persistent clicking noise for a while now. What’s worse is that when itison, your radio and windshield wipers don’t work very well. According to Honda, these could be the tell-tale signs that your car’s battery is on its last legs.
Once you get a new car battery, you might be tempted to let your old one collect dust in the garage under some boxes. You might even want to put it on the curb with the garbage. However, there’s a third option, which I’ll be sharing with you today.
▸ In this article Show
Why Should You Sell a Used Car Battery?
The alternative to storing away or throwing out your broken car battery is selling it. You might be wondering, “Who’d buy a damaged car battery and why?”
As far as the ‘who’ goes, it’s not a mad scientist if that’s what you’re thinking. There are plenty of workshops and individuals who are willing to pay top dollar for an old, or even dead, battery. Before you scroll down to the list of buyers, however, it might be useful to learn why you shouldn’t simply toss out your used battery and be done with it.
Most cars use lead-acid batteries. They’re cheap to manufacture and can store a considerable amount of energy. These are the same type of batteries used in forklifts, golf carts, trucks, and some lawnmowers.
Unfortunately, there’s a catch. When your battery starts to die, whether it’s from not driving enough or other reasons, it will over discharge and possibly leak sulfuric acid. Since sulfuric acid is extremely toxic to the environment (as well as people) dumping it in a landfill will contaminate the soil and groundwater.
Fortunately, lead batteries are almost entirely recyclable. Selling yours to a local auto parts store ensures that it will be safely recycled.
How Much Can You Make by Recycling a Car Battery?
The short answer:anywhere from $5 upwards.
The long answer is that there isn’t a flat-rate – which can be either good or bad. How much you earn per battery will depend on who you sell it to and the market price at the time of the sale.
At some parts stores, you’ll get back your core charge at the very least. A core charge is the deposit you put down when you purchase a new battery.
This fee is meant to encourage recycling and is mandatory in 30 states – but legal in all 50 – so there’s a good chance that your local auto parts store is part of the program.
If you choose to sell your car battery at a scrap yard instead, you could make a few more bucks – but more on that later.
Who Buys Used Car Batteries?
Want to find places that offer car battery recycling for cash? Here’s a list of places you can find buyers for your used car battery.
1. The Auto Parts Store
One of the fastest and easiest ways to sell your old car batteries is by going to your local auto parts store. If you’re not sure where to go, national brands like Advanced Auto Parts, Napa, AutoZone, and O’Reilly have thousands of branches across the United States and it should be easy to find one close to you.
If you bought your battery at one of these stores, remember to get back your core charge, which is between $5 and $12.
It’s also important to keep in mind that some stores aren’t obligated to pay you for your batteries even if they can recycle them. They might, however, offer you store credit that’s equal to the amount of the core charge.
If you’d prefer cash, it would save a bunch of time if you call ahead and ask about the store’s policies before making the trip.
2. Scrap Yards
Believe it or not, there’s an entire market dedicated to scrap metal, and the prices fluctuate based on supply and demand. So how does this work?
Unlike an auto parts store, your local scrap yards buy scrap metal per pound or ton at the market price. The heavier your battery is, the more you’ll earn. Batteries in small cars usually weigh between 10 and 20 pounds while a standard car can carry a battery between 40 and 60 pounds. If the market price for a battery is $0.50 per pound, then you can get up to $30 per battery you recycle.
To make the most of it, you can opt to collect discarded batteries from friends and family and sell them in bulk. If you have a lawnmower you no longer use, you can also carry the batter along with you to the local scrap yards.
To stay informed on the current prices, check the London Metal Exchange (LME). The Battery Recyclers of America also has useful information.
3. Walmart
Walmart really wants you to bring your old heavy beat-up battery to the Customer Service Desk. Some Walmart stores have programs in place where they will buy your own battery.
The Customer Service Desk is where Walmart does refunds and where they will give you a core refund on your old battery. I also strongly recommend putting the old battery in a shopping cart when entering.
They’ll give you a few dollars towards a new battery that you can purchase at Walmart. You can call your local Walmart to see if they participate in this program.
4. Facebook Marketplace
Another easy way to find a buyer for your used battery is by posting an ad on Facebook Marketplace. You could, of course, sell it on eBay or Amazon, but for logistical reasons, it would be much easier to find a local buyer who can pay and pick up the battery within the same day.
Selling to individuals also gives you the option of setting the price tag you want to set. If you want to figure out what a fair price is, you can perform a Google search to check how much used car batteries are going for in your area.
Last but not least, posting good pictures and a vibrant description will help your chances of making a quick sale.
5. iScrap App
iScrap is a mobile app that simplifies the process of finding buyers for car parts. Once you enter your location into the app, it will show you a list of scrap yards near you.
The platform goes a step further and lets you know which types of scrap metal the yards are looking for and how much they’re willing to pay for it. In case you want to talk to the yard directly, their numbers are listed.
Honestly, the iScrap app has a ton more useful features that can’t be fully described in this article. To give you an idea of what else you can get on there: iScrap offers pickup services, provides updated market prices, and lets you get a quote for your car (if you’re looking to sell).
6. Metal Recycling Centers
A metal recycling center is similar to a scrap yard. The major difference is that while a scrap yard buys metal in order to flip and sell it at a higher price, a metal recycling center doesn’t.
What this means for you is that you’ll actually get paid more for your battery at a recycling center.
7. Craigslist
Craigslist is a modern-day yellow pages for anything from kitchen appliances to motorcycles. You can use this platform to advertise your used car batteries at a
competitive price. This option is best to use if your car battery is on the newer side and doesn’t have any defects.
If you browse through your local Craigslist, odds are you’ll find car batteries being sold for hundreds of dollars.
But be warned! Craigslist buyers aren’t known for being the most trustworthy people. To keep safe while selling on Craigslist, sign up with a proxy email and make sure to meet the buyer in a public area.
There’s more to staying safe online than those two tips, however, so it’d be best to read up on this comprehensive list to learn more.
8. Local Auto Repair Shop
The good thing about selling your old car batteries to a repair shop is that you can take in a dead battery, too. A lot of repair shops like to recondition dead batteries so they can resell them at a discount to their customers.
However, this won’t work if there’s something deeply wrong with your car battery. A repair shop will want it to be defect-free.
9. Local Pawn Shop
Another option for selling your junk batteries is at local pawn shops in your area. It won’t hurt to call some pawn shops near you and see if they take used car batteries.
Selling to a used pawn shop may not yield you the highest profit, as you would if you sold it on Craigslist or eBay, but you can get cash fast on the same day.
10. Pull-A-Part
If you need cash now and have a salvage junk car, including your car battery to sell, contact your nearestPull-A-Partlocation to get a free purchase quote, free tow from your driveway, and fast cash.
This option works if you have an old clunker in your yard that you want to get rid of while getting paid for the scrap metal as well.
11. Newspaper Classifieds
You can also list your batteries for sale in your newspaper classifieds section. Some people buy and sell batteries as a side hustle and you may be able to find an interested buyer this way. Many local newspapers allow you to submit listings for free.
Another option is seeing if any scrappers have an advertisement up in the paper. You can give them a call and offer your used batteries for sale.
12. United Battery
The United Battery is well-known for itsCash for Junk Batteries Program. Anyone with both industrial batteries and automotive batteries can receive a cash reward from them.
The website does not have prices or details, but the caller can call them for information and pay details. The program is only available in Portland and Longview, but you can check in your area to see if it’s available.
Selling Batteries for Cash
There are several reasons you might be considering selling your junk batteries. You could be getting tired of hearing that clicking noise your engine makes, looking to switch to a lithium-ion battery instead, or need to get rid of a dead battery that’s been hanging around the house for too long.
Whatever your reason, you now know of 12 different places you can get paid for your old batteries and how you can go about it.
More ideas to earn money besides selling batteries for cash
If you are looking for more ways to make money, here are some of my favorite ideas:
- Literally Make HundredsDonating Plasma(Easy andFast)
- Best Franchise Opportunitiesto Buy (Under $1,000)
- Get Paid to Post Adson Facebook orInstagram(Ultimate Beginners Guide)
- Companies That Buy Ideas(Get Paid for Your Ideas)
- Get aLegitWork from Home Job atAppen(Over 500+ Reviewson Indeed)
Income Boosters for Gig WorkersThe income booster section provides recommendations for financial products that offer sign-up bonuses.- Survey Junkie: Earn up to $3 per survey with one of the highest-paying survey sites on the web.Join Survey Junkie Now
- Blackout Bingo: Earning money by playing games on your phone sounds like a dream. But this app really pays you for playing bingo with cash rewards.Download Blackout Bingo for free.
- Albert: Want to get spotted cash for free? Albert will spot you $150 when you join. There’s no catch, just receive 3 qualifying deposits & use your new card. This bank account is legit and only takes two minutes to join Albert.
FAQs
Who pays the most for car batteries? ›
Junkyards: If you're looking to get cash for your battery, you can try going to a junkyard. There are about 21 pounds of lead in one car battery. Based on that figure, most junkyards will pay $7 for it.
Will AutoZone buy my old battery? ›Or, if you don't want to learn about battery recycling and you just want to get rid of the dang thing, drop by your local AutoZone and – get this – we will actually pay you for that old battery!
Does Walmart pay for old batteries? ›Can you return an old car battery at Walmart? Yes. Although you cannot receive a refund on the full cost of the battery after 90 days, you can return an old car battery to Walmart and receive a refund on the core charge.
Does Napa pay for old batteries? ›If your old battery is from NAPA, you can take it to a NAPA store, along with your invoice, to have it recycled. You'll also receive a store credit for the amount of your core charge deposit.
How much money can you get from a car battery? ›Additionally, always take the necessary precautions for handling it. Use gloves to avoid touching any acid or lead and make sure not to store them in high temps or around open flames. Below is a list of places you can recycle your car battery for cash. Expect to earn $5 to $10 per battery.
How much is a car battery worth for scrap? ›At present, you can expect to earn around £5 for each car battery recycled.
Can you get money from an old battery? ›The materials found inside some types of batteries, such as lead acid, still have market value that you can cash in on. While most recyclers will recycle your used batteries at a low to no cost, there are cases you can make money back in the process.
What can I do with an old car battery? ›While automotive batteries can be recycled, you can't just toss them into your municipal recycling bin. Due to the harmful materials inside, car batteries need to be taken somewhere that is equipped to dispose of them properly, such as a battery retailer or a local hazardous waste collection program.
Does Costco take old car batteries? ›How do I dispose of my old battery? Just return it to your local Costco. You will even receive a core credit as a reward for your recycling efforts.
How much is the core charge for a car battery at Walmart? ›Answer: -Walmart generally charges a core charge of $5 USD to $20 USD for replacing car batteries. The core charge is generally refunded only if the old battery of the car is exchanged.
What is a core charge for a car battery? ›
A core charge is a form of deposit held for the return of the used part. Core charges are set by the manufacturer or supplier and are based on the value of the materials in the part or the reusability of the old part. The core charge is added to the price of a part to encourage the return of the old part.
How much is a battery core charge? ›Battery retailers will charge a separate refundable deposit, generally between $10 -$25, for a core whenever an automotive battery is purchased. A core is any equivalent part that is to be returned to the store to be recycled.
Why do people want old car batteries? ›Your used car battery can earn you money. Instead of discarding it, you can sell it to a local auto parts shop or junk shop. These businesses reuse old car batteries in various ways. They may scrap them for parts or recondition them so they can be resold.
What do battery companies do with old batteries? ›Smelting: A major cause of lead pollution
Smelting is a process by which used lead from an old battery is recycled for use in a new battery.
To exchange a product, simply bring it to the original NAPA Auto Parts store of purchase within 30 days of purchase, in its original condition and packaging, and with your original purchase receipt1. Only products purchased at a NAPA Auto Parts store can be exchanged.
What are dead batteries worth? ›Averages vary around the nation, with estimates ranging from 0.21 - 0.41 cents per pound, which could bring a 30 - 50-pound battery anywhere from $6 to $20 per battery. However, the most accurate way for you to determine the value of your batteries is to call local scrapyards directly.
How much does an average car battery weigh? ›This is the most common type of battery found in cars, trucks, and SUVs. A standard car battery weighs between 30 and 60 pounds on average.
How much does a truck battery weigh? ›Standard Batteries
This type of battery is usually found in cars, trucks, and SUVs and is the most common battery. The average weight of a standard car battery is between 30 lbs and 60 lbs.
After a battery reaches the end of its useful life, it is considered a battery scrap. This battery scrap contains several poisonous chemicals and heavy metals. Disposal of these batteries as a regular trash deteriorates groundwater sources and causes contamination of soil.
How long can a car battery sit unused in a car? ›If you know you won't be using your car for a while or won't be able to recharge it weekly, it may be best to disconnect it completely from the vehicle. When stored properly out of the car in a secure place, a detached car battery has the chance to last up to six months.
What is considered old for a car battery? ›
Three years + battery age is considered an old timer: Your battery can last well beyond three years but, at the very least, have its current condition inspected on a yearly basis when it reaches the three year mark.
Can you return a battery to AutoZone without receipt? ›If you are returning an item(s) and you no longer have the receipt(s), contact AutoZone Customer Support at 800.288. 6966 to request the transaction information for your order. The customer service representative will also explain the process for returning your item(s) to the nearest AutoZone store.
Does Costco buy used batteries? ›Costco takes old car batteries for recycling. When you buy a new battery at Costco, they'll remove and recycle your old one. Additionally, Costco waives the $15 core charge when you purchase a new car battery making the battery even more affordable.
Does Sam's Club do car batteries? ›We offer free car battery replacement at our Tire & Battery Centers for most vehicles. Our experienced car battery team can help you find the right battery and install the replacement battery quickly.
Are Interstate batteries at Costco the same? ›Costco Interstate batteries offer the same reliable power as Interstate batteries, but a different warranty program supports them.
Do you get a core for battery? ›Refundable core deposits, also known as core charges, are often mandated by state legislatures. As a result, many automotive parts, including batteries, have a refundable core deposit or core price.
What is a battery core charge Home Depot? ›A: A core charge is the dollar amount that the retail store receives when the retail store returns the old battery for it's lead value. My lawn tractor battery had a core charge of $15.
Are EverStart batteries good batteries? ›Generally, Walmart's EverStart batteries have positive reviews from customers who have used them. Most customers are happy with the price and their overall higher quality compared to other brands. The fact that they require little or no maintenance is also a huge plus.
How much is a engine core worth? ›Most engine cores fall in the $150 to $350 range.
Do you need receipt for core charge? ›You must pay the core charge when you buy the part. After you replace the pump, you return the old one to the store with your receipt (which includes the core charge).
What does a core charge look like? ›
A core charge is a fee you pay when buying a part, that will be returned to you when you send the old part you're replacing back. So let's say you buy a turbocharger for $1,000 and there's a $400 core charge. You will pay a total of $1,400 upfront.
What is a core charge at Oreillys? ›Some products have a core charge associated with them. A core is some portion of a part that can be recycled or reused by the manufacturer. Doing this saves the manufacturer money and helps our environment. For this reason a product with a core has an additional charge associated with it.
What happens to dead car batteries? ›They get to a point where their capacity/performance deteriorates below any useful case. If the battery cannot be used for alternative storage purposes, the valuable materials are separated out, such as cobalt, lithium salts, stainless steel, copper, aluminum, and plastic.
Why do car batteries only last 3 years? ›Car batteries have a finite lifespan
Batteries gradually deteriorate until they can no longer provide enough power to start an engine. This wear time could take three to five years and a vehicle's usage pattern is one factor contributing to the rate at which a battery will age.
If your battery is 3 or more years old, it will likely need a replacement to avoid repeated failure. While you may be able to get it going with a jump-start, the catalyst for its initial failure is still threatening the lifespan of your battery. It will likely continue to die until you get a replacement.
Why do you need to tape the ends of batteries? ›By taping or bagging each battery, you prevent the terminals from coming into contact with other terminals, batteries, or metal objects, which can cause a short circuit, and, in some cases, a fire. Avoiding these hazards is a top priority.
How many years do unused batteries last? ›The quality of new batteries varies depending on who makes them, when they were made and their contents. The lifespan of unused household batteries in their original packaging ranges anywhere from 5 to 20 years in storage.
Are old unused batteries still good? ›Unfortunately, yes. All batteries have an expiration date mentioned on the packaging and on the cell itself. The battery may still work after that date, but with minor performance.
How long does it take to get money back from Napa? ›Within 15 business days of receipt of your returned item, you will be issued credit for the original purchase price and applicable sales tax. Core credits will also be processed within 15 business days.
Do you need a receipt to return a battery? ›Make sure to bring your receipt and car battery with you, as the store will need to use your purchase record and/or the battery's serial number to access the details of your warranty.
Can you return a battery to O Reilly's? ›
If you do have any old lead-acid automotive batteries sitting around, bring them in to an O'Reilly Auto Parts store for recycling and we'll give you a $10 gift card* for each one, even if they weren't purchased from us.
Can you make money from old batteries? ›The materials found inside some types of batteries, such as lead acid, still have market value that you can cash in on. While most recyclers will recycle your used batteries at a low to no cost, there are cases you can make money back in the process.
Is Walmart cheaper than AutoZone for car batteries? ›...
The Top 6 Places To Buy a Car Battery.
If your car battery is having trouble, AutoZone store associates can test or charge your battery for free.
How do you make money from batteries? ›Scrap Yards or Metal Recycling Centers
The lead inside batteries can go for around $0.30 per pound. This can add up quickly since car batteries can be around 20 pounds, or be worth $7. Scrap yards will often take your used car batteries and pay you for the raw material inside.
A car battery weighs between 25 to 50 pounds, on average. However, this value will vary depending on different factors. For example, the weight of your car battery is depended on the type of battery, the amount of voltage it has, the fluid level, and the type of vehicle it is in.
How much is a dead battery worth? ›In general, junk car batteries are worth between $5 and $8 for smaller vehicles and $10 to $12 for trucks. Remember, batteries are also toxic.
What do I do with an old car battery? ›While automotive batteries can be recycled, you can't just toss them into your municipal recycling bin. Due to the harmful materials inside, car batteries need to be taken somewhere that is equipped to dispose of them properly, such as a battery retailer or a local hazardous waste collection program.
What is the difference between a cheap and expensive car battery? ›Many cheap car batteries use PVC as the separating material versus rubber in the higher end batteries. They also use lower quality components, such as sub-par cables and wires, compared to their more expensive counterparts.
What is the cheapest type of battery? ›Economically priced — the NiCd is the lowest cost battery in terms of cost per cycle. Available in a wide range of sizes and performance options — most NiCd cells are cylindrical.
What is the cheapest car battery? ›
Duracell 51R (Group 51R)
Retailing for $105, the Duracell 51R is the most affordable car battery that Consumer Reports recommends.
Free battery charging
Our Duralast® Fast Charger can charge most automotive batteries in about 30 minutes.
If you're having car battery trouble, it's time to head to your local AutoZone for free battery testing. If the battery is discharged but still technically sound, we can charge up the battery so you can be on your way. If the battery fails the test, we can help you find a suitable replacement.
How can I charge my car battery without a charger? ›- Method 1 – Use Jump Leads.
- Method 2 – Use Solar Panel and Solar Charger.
- Method 3 – Use UPS Inverter.
- Method 4 – Charge Battery By Putting It Into Another Vehicle.
- Method 5 – Use A Car Jump Starter.
- Method 6 – Use A Battery Isolator.
The demand is expected to grow by around 30 percent, nearing 4,500 gigawatt-hours (GWh) a year globally by 2030, and the battery value chain is expected to increase by as much as ten times between 2020 and 2030 to reach annual revenue as high as $410 billion.
How can I make money while charging? ›ChargerPay is a free mobile app that “rents” your screen and turns it into a billboard, displaying ads while it charges. The longer you leave the ChargerPay screen turned on, the more you money you make. Once the app is running, no work is required on the user's end meaning that this app is 100% passive income.