Home / Blog / Car Batteries

What Are Scrap Car Batteries Worth?

Lead-acid batteries pay for their lead — but only kept upright, intact and handled right. Here is the full picture.

26 September 2026 · By OJ Metal Recycling

The Short Answer

Yes — Lead-Acid Batteries Pay

A dead car, van or equipment battery is mostly lead and acid in a plastic case — and the lead gives it genuine scrap value. We accept lead-acid batteries from households and garages, singly or by the pallet-load. Value follows lead prices and condition, so check lead values or call 07793 020266 for today's figure.

The non-negotiable part is condition: batteries must be upright, intact and unleaking. Cracked, drained or swollen units are a handling problem, not a payday.

Handle With Care

Storing Batteries Before Collection

Upright, always

Terminals up, on a contained surface away from drains and watercourses. One tipped battery can leak acid across a whole load.

Never drain or break

Draining acid is illegal dumping territory and destroys the value. Cracked cases, swollen sides or heat damage — tell us when booking.

Garages: stack smart

Palletise stable layers, strap them, photograph the stack. Regular battery banks from MOT stations and workshops get repeat-collection slots — see our trade portal.

FAQs

Battery FAQs

Are old car batteries worth anything?

Yes — lead-acid batteries are accepted for their lead content, singly or in bulk.

Will you take a leaking battery?

Damaged units need declaring before collection so they can be handled correctly. Never transport a leaking battery in a car boot — call us first.

What about lithium or EV batteries?

Different chemistry, different rules — they need specialist routes. Call with details and we will point you correctly.

Do garages get repeat battery collections?

Yes. Workshops producing steady battery waste can arrange repeat slots alongside general garage scrap.

Got Batteries to Shift?

Singles, garage piles and workshop banks — kept upright, collected properly.

Request a Collection Call 07793 020266
Call now 07793 020266