Price data · 8 September 2026·Household & appliances
Washing machine scrap value UK
A washing machine weighs 60-80 kg and most of that is steel and concrete. Weighed in whole it is paid as light iron, which is why the honest answer to "what is it worth" is not much. The motor and the stainless drum inside are worth more than the rest of the machine put together. This page prices both routes at today's rates, and covers the other white goods while it is at it.
Worth today
LatestWashing machine, whole
£4.60–£6.14
per machine, at 60–80 kg × £0.08/kg (Light Iron)
UK yard average. Your yard will differ by region, load size and how clean the metal is.
What each type is worth
Weight × today's grade price
Typical weights from manufacturer data and yard experience. The value column is that weight multiplied by today's UK average for the grade a yard would pay it as.
Washing machine, whole
Includes 20-30 kg of concrete ballast the yard is not paying for
Weight60–80 kg
£4.60–£6.14
Washing machine motor
Weight3–6 kg
Electric Motors
£1.25–£2.50
How yards grade washing machine
White goods are light iron, the lowest ferrous grade, priced per tonne. A washing machine's weight is padded by two concrete blocks bolted to the tub that have no scrap value, and some yards deduct for them. The motor is a separate electric-motor grade and the drum is stainless steel, both worth many times the steel rate per kilo. Fridges and freezers are a special case: the refrigerant has to be recovered by a licensed WEEE facility, so most scrap yards either refuse them or accept them for nothing.
Getting the best price
- Take the motor out. Four bolts and a belt, and it is worth more on its own than the whole machine as light iron.
- Take the drum out if you are already inside. It is stainless, not steel.
- Leave the concrete ballast in unless the yard asks, but do not expect to be paid for it.
- Do not take a fridge or freezer to a general yard. Council bulky-waste collection or the retailer delivering the new one will take it for free or a small fee.
- One washing machine is not worth a trip. Combine it with other metal or wait for a collector.
The rules
- Fridges, freezers and air conditioners contain refrigerant gases and must go through a licensed WEEE treatment facility. Releasing the gas is an offence.
- Retailers delivering a new appliance must offer to take the old one back under the WEEE Regulations, often free.
Got some to sell?
Get a quote from a licensed yard near you
Tell us roughly how much you have and your postcode. We pass it to a licensed dealer buying washing machine this week. Free, and payment is always by bank transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a washing machine worth in scrap?
Whole, it is 60-80 kg of light iron and worth a few pounds at best, less if the yard deducts the concrete ballast. The 3-6 kg motor inside is paid at the electric-motor rate and the stainless drum at the stainless rate, so a stripped machine is worth several times a whole one.
Do scrap yards take washing machines?
Yes, as light iron. Many scrap collectors will pick them up free because the motor and drum make it worth their while. Fridges and freezers are different: most yards will not take them.
What metal is in a washing machine?
Mostly steel (casing, frame, outer tub), a stainless steel inner drum of 5-8 kg, a motor with copper windings of 3-6 kg, small amounts of aluminium in the drum spider, and 20-30 kg of concrete counterweight.
Can I scrap a fridge for money?
Almost never. The refrigerant must be recovered by a licensed WEEE facility, so general scrap yards refuse fridges or take them for free. Use the council bulky-waste service or the retailer take-back scheme.
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