How do I verify a buyer's claimed weight for my vehicle is accurate without my own way to weigh it?
Short answer: Look up your vehicle's published kerb weight from the manufacturer's specifications as a reference point, and compare it against what the buyer claims — a buyer's figure that's substantially below the published kerb weight, without a clear explanation like missing major components, is worth questioning directly before accepting their offer.
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List Free →Why a reference weight is genuinely useful here
Manufacturers publish kerb weight specifications for essentially every production vehicle, and while your car’s exact weight may vary slightly due to modifications, fuel level, or missing parts, it should be reasonably close to that published figure — a large, unexplained gap is a legitimate reason to ask questions.
What could legitimately explain a lower number
A car missing its engine, transmission, or other major components, or one that’s already been partially stripped, will genuinely weigh less than its full published kerb weight — ask specifically what’s accounted for in the buyer’s figure if it seems notably lower than expected.
What to do if the gap seems unexplained
If a buyer’s claimed weight seems significantly off with no clear reason, it’s reasonable to ask them to weigh the vehicle in front of you, or to get a second opinion from another buyer before accepting a price based on a number you can’t verify.
How ScrapTrade Makes This Easier
Comparing offers from multiple buyers on ScrapTrade for the same vehicle gives you a practical way to sanity-check whether one buyer’s claimed weight and resulting offer is out of line with others.
Ready to sell or source vehicle scrap without the guesswork? ScrapTrade connects verified buyers and sellers with escrow-protected payments and transparent weighing.
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