Topic: Value Guides
Scrap electric motors are worth roughly A$0.60—$1.40 per kilogram in Adelaide. The value comes from the copper winding inside — the steel casing around it is worth very little.
The question almost everyone asks is whether to strip the motor or bring it whole. For most people, whole is the right answer. This guide explains why.
Current electric motor scrap rates
| Motor type | Indicative rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electric motors (whole) | A$0.60-$1.40/kg | Assessed on copper winding content |
| Starter motors | Within motor range | Car and truck starters |
| Alternators | Within motor range | Mixed copper and aluminium |
| Aluminium-wound motors | Lower end | Cheaper motors use aluminium winding |
Rates reviewed 3 November 2026. For current figures see electric motor scrap prices, or call 08 7225 9998.
Where the value in a motor comes from
An electric motor is mostly a steel housing wrapped around a core of copper wire windings. The copper is the valuable part. The steel is worth cents per kilo, the same as any other steel.
That is why motors are priced per kilo at a rate well above steel but well below copper. You are being paid for a blend — mostly steel by weight, but with enough copper inside to lift the whole rate.
Should you strip a motor?
Stripping means breaking the motor open, removing the copper windings, and selling the copper and steel separately. It is possible, but for most people it does not pay.
| Strip it | Bring it whole |
|---|---|
| Large motors with heavy copper winding | Small and medium motors |
| You have the tools and experience | You do not have a press or cutting tools |
| You have volume – many motors | You have one or a few |
| The winding is copper, not aluminium | You are unsure what the winding is |
The problem is labour. Motor windings are tightly packed, varnished and wedged into a steel core. Getting them out takes real effort, often special tools, and the copper you recover is enamelled wire that grades below bright copper anyway.
Never use heat or fire to strip motors. Burning off varnish releases toxic fumes, is illegal, and damages the copper so it grades lower.
Copper versus aluminium windings
Not every motor is wound with copper. Some cheaper motors use aluminium winding to save cost. These are worth less, because aluminium is worth far less than copper.
Copper winding — reddish-orange wire, usually visible through vents in the casing.
Aluminium winding — silvery wire. Common in cheaper appliances and some imported motors.
You often cannot see the winding without opening the motor. That is another reason to bring it whole — the yard can assess it without you needing to dismantle anything.
Common sources of scrap motors
Washing machines and dryers — the motor is one of the more valuable parts of an old appliance.
Pool and spa pumps.
Air compressors and workshop equipment.
Power tools — drills, saws and grinders.
Car starter motors and alternators.
Industrial motors from factories and machinery.
Ceiling fans and exhaust fans.
Garage door openers.
For the compressors in refrigeration and air conditioning, see our guide to getting rid of an old air conditioner.
Preparing motors for sale
Drain any oil from gearboxes or oil-filled motors.
Remove long cables — though copper cable is worth selling separately. See whether to strip copper wire.
Take off heavy steel mounting brackets where practical.
Keep motors separate from general steel scrap.
Do not dismantle anything unsafely.
If your motors are part of a larger mixed load, our guide to sorting scrap metal before selling shows how to separate everything before you arrive.
Selling motors in Adelaide
Bring motors to SA Copper Scraps at 12 Belfree Dr, Green Fields SA 5107. They are assessed on winding content, weighed on calibrated scales, and paid before you leave.
For workshop or industrial volumes, call 08 7225 9998 first. See our electric motor buying service for regular loads.
Read our guide: which parts of old whitegoods are worth money
Frequently asked questions
What are electric motors worth as scrap?
Scrap electric motors sit around A$0.60—$1.40 per kilogram on current Adelaide benchmarks. The rate depends on how much copper winding is inside.
Is it worth stripping the copper out of an electric motor?
For most people, no. The windings are tightly packed and varnished, stripping takes real effort and tools, and the recovered copper is enamelled wire that grades below bright copper. Large motors in volume are the exception.
How much copper is inside an electric motor?
It varies widely with size and design. Larger motors hold more, and some cheaper motors use aluminium winding instead. The yard assesses this without you needing to open the motor.
Do you buy starter motors and alternators?
Yes. Car and truck starter motors and alternators are accepted and assessed within the motor range.
Are larger motors worth more?
Generally, yes — larger motors tend to hold more copper winding. But they are also heavier, so the per-kilo rate is similar.
Do you take motors with the casing still on?
Yes. Motors are normally brought in whole, with the casing on. There is no need to dismantle them.
What about motors from washing machines?
Washing machine motors are accepted and are one of the more valuable parts of an old appliance. Remove them from the machine if practical.
Can I burn the varnish off motor windings?
No. Burning releases toxic fumes, is illegal, and damages the copper so it grades lower. Bring motors whole instead.
How do I know if a motor has copper or aluminium winding?
Copper winding is reddish-orange, aluminium is silvery. You can sometimes see it through vents in the casing, but often you cannot — the yard can assess it for you.
Where can I sell electric motors in Adelaide?
SA Copper Scraps buys electric motors at 12 Belfree Dr, Green Fields SA 5107. They are assessed, weighed on calibrated scales and paid before you leave.
Final word
For most motors, the best move is the simplest: bring them whole, keep them separate from general steel, and let the yard assess the winding.
Call 08 7225 9998, or see current electric motor scrap prices.
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