Average Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums) Price

180-day market: price lists from 10 yards. As of 2/17/2026.
$0.10/ lb -$0.45 (10.8%)
GT = Gross Ton (2240 lbs)
Avg: $0.10
Lowest price $0.09
Highest price$0.12Who pays the most? ⟶
How to read a yard's offer
  • Low (up to $0.09): Floor price, typically for small loads.
  • Mid ($0.10): A fair deal for standard quantities.
  • High ($0.12+): Top-dollar rate. Offered for large commercial loads or by the most competitive buyers.
52-week price range
Over the past year, prices ranged from $0.09 to $0.22.
Mar '25Jun '25Sep '25Dec '25Today
Market response to CME pricing
Spread vs. exchange (180-day avg): ~43.8% (-$0.08/lb). Typical spread for this grade: 17%–45%
✓ Scrap yards are offering fair market rates
Market snapshot
Downward trend. Prices have been falling over the past 3 months.
Pricing verified from 10 live board rates today.

Top Scrap Yards Buying Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums) New York

Before you load up your truck with heavy brake rotors, browse these local yards in New York to compare current cast iron payouts. National averages provide a great baseline, but local foundry demand dictates the final ticket. Always call ahead to lock in today's price.

💼 Scrap yard owners: Post your buy prices and get more customers
By price
By date
Updated 32 days ago

Niagara Metals

Listed as: Auto Cast / Rotors
766 New Babcock St #2202 Get Directions
$0.11 / lb
Updated 32 days ago

Metalico South Park

Listed as: Auto Drums & Rotors
637 Tifft St Get Directions
$0.11 / lb
Updated 32 days ago

Skyway Auto Parts Inc

Listed as: Auto Drums & Rotors
637 Tifft St Get Directions
$0.11 / lb
Updated 89 days ago

Niagara Metals

Listed as: Auto Cast / Rotors
761 Hertel Ave Get Directions
$0.09 / lb
Updated 89 days ago

Niagara Metals

Listed as: Auto Cast / Rotors
41 Hannah St #2205 Get Directions
$0.09 / lb
Updated 89 days ago

Niagara Metals

Listed as: Auto Cast / Rotors
4861 Packard Rd Get Directions
$0.09 / lb

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Compare Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums) with Similar Ferrous Scrap

The #1 rule at scrap yards: if you mix grades, they’ll weigh everything at the lowest rate. See the price gap below — if you have higher-value metal, always sort and weigh each grade separately to avoid leaving money on the table.

Plate & Structural Steel (P&S) Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.13 / lb
Trend (30d): +0.7%
Price analytics
#1 Prepared Steel (HMS) Based on 1 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.10 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Cast Iron (Heavy) Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.09 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
#2 Prepared Steel Based on 8 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.08 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Unprepared Steel (Torch & Shear) Based on 4 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.08 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Light Iron & Shredder Based on 10 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.07 / lb
Trend (6m): -15.0%
Price analytics
Tin (Sheet Metal) Based on 1 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.06 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Steel Turnings Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.05 / lb
Trend (6m): -19.4%
Price analytics

Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums) Price Trends & Market History

This chart shows where the market is headed. If the line is climbing, prices are rising — you might get a better deal in a few days. If it’s dropping, don’t wait: sell today before yards lower their buy prices further.

Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums): Scrap Yard Price vs. World Market (CME)

Avg scrap yard price

$0.10
Scrap metal dealers
Spread: -$0.08/lb
vs. exchange

World market price (CME)

$0.1796
✓ For 99.9% pure refined metal
💡 Why is the scrap yard price lower than the exchange? The CME price is the global benchmark for 99.99% pure refined metal traded in large institutional contracts. The gap between CME and what you pocket is the yard’s margin — it covers sorting, cleaning, transport to the mill, and protects them against sudden price drops.

Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums): Spread vs. Exchange — Monthly History

Analyst take: This month’s average spread between scrap yard prices and the world market for Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums) is 43.8%. That’s in line with the typical range for this grade (41%–47%). Local yards are offering fair market rates. Check offers in your area ↑
PeriodWorld price (per lb)Scrap yard price (per lb)Spread vs. exchange
March 2026 (current)$0.174571$0.10-$0.07 (42%)
February 2026$0.169679$0.10-$0.07 (39.4%)
January 2026$0.169184$0.10-$0.07 (40.9%)
December 2025$0.165335$0.10-$0.06 (38.5%)
November 2025$0.162647$0.10-$0.06 (38.5%)
October 2025$0.158761$0.10-$0.05 (34.6%)
September 2025$0.15567$0.11-$0.05 (32.3%)
August 2025$0.158816$0.13-$0.03 (17.5%)
July 2025$0.159239$0.10-$0.06 (36.4%)
June 2025$0.155033$0.09-$0.07 (41.9%)
May 2025$0.157923$0.09-$0.06 (40.2%)
April 2025$0.161157$0.10-$0.07 (40.4%)
March 2025$0.169235$0.11-$0.06 (37.1%)
February 2025$0.166$0.11-$0.06 (35.5%)
January 2025$0.158671$0.10-$0.06 (37.6%)
December 2024$0.159039$0.10-$0.06 (37.9%)
November 2024$0.165953$0.10-$0.07 (39.9%)
October 2024$0.173261$0.11-$0.06 (36%)
September 2024$0.16823$0.11-$0.06 (34%)
August 2024$0.166132$0.10-$0.07 (39.8%)
July 2024$0.174761$0.12-$0.06 (33%)
June 2024$0.173733$0.11-$0.07 (39.2%)
May 2024$0.174594$0.10-$0.07 (40.9%)
April 2024$0.174133$0.11-$0.07 (39.7%)
March 2024$0.174719$0.10-$0.07 (40.4%)
February 2024$0.183579$0.11-$0.07 (39.7%)
January 2024$0.185484$0.11-$0.08 (40.7%)
December 2023$0.189755$0.12-$0.07 (37.3%)
November 2023$0.18284$0.11-$0.07 (40%)
October 2023$0.168132$0.10-$0.07 (40.1%)
September 2023$0.171903$0.10-$0.07 (41.8%)
August 2023$0.169355$0.10-$0.07 (41%)
July 2023$0.167445$0.10-$0.07 (40.3%)
June 2023$0.171827$0.10-$0.07 (39.7%)
May 2023$0.168968$0.11-$0.06 (34.9%)
April 2023$0.187047$0.11-$0.07 (39.1%)
March 2023$0.203358$0.13-$0.08 (37.5%)
February 2023$0.200689$0.12-$0.08 (39.1%)
January 2023$0.188281$0.11-$0.08 (41.4%)
December 2022$0.175474$0.11-$0.07 (39.9%)
November 2022$0.15927$0.09-$0.06 (40.8%)
October 2022$0.161587$0.10-$0.06 (39.1%)
September 2022$0.162657$0.10-$0.06 (40%)
August 2022$0.17361$0.10-$0.07 (41.3%)
July 2022$0.169839$0.10-$0.07 (41.3%)
June 2022$0.173823$0.11-$0.07 (38.8%)
May 2022$0.217184$0.13-$0.08 (37.9%)
April 2022$0.271843$0.16-$0.11 (39.9%)
March 2022$0.293526$0.17-$0.12 (40.4%)
February 2022$0.229654$0.14-$0.09 (39.7%)
January 2022$0.212861$0.12-$0.09 (41.5%)
December 2021$0.203377$0.12-$0.08 (40.4%)
November 2021$0.211507$0.13-$0.08 (39.6%)
October 2021$0.220087$0.13-$0.09 (39.9%)
September 2021$0.20218$0.12-$0.08 (40.6%)
August 2021$0.212068$0.13-$0.09 (40.4%)
July 2021$0.226971$0.13-$0.09 (41%)
June 2021$0.23039$0.14-$0.09 (39.5%)
May 2021$0.234461$0.14-$0.09 (39.9%)
April 2021$0.213893$0.13-$0.08 (39.2%)
March 2021$0.210168$0.12-$0.09 (42.9%)
February 2021$0.201529$0.12-$0.09 (42.2%)
January 2021$0.18881$0.11-$0.08 (44.1%)
December 2020$0.197974$0.12-$0.08 (40.2%)
November 2020$0.15506$0.09-$0.06 (40%)
October 2020$0.132848$0.08-$0.05 (39.8%)
September 2020$0.135103$0.08-$0.06 (40.8%)
August 2020$0.129755$0.07-$0.05 (42.3%)
July 2020$0.121603$0.07-$0.05 (40.3%)
June 2020$0.1198$0.07-$0.05 (41.6%)
May 2020$0.120335$0.07-$0.05 (41.8%)
April 2020$0.119887$0.07-$0.05 (41.6%)
March 2020$0.120871$0.07-$0.05 (39.2%)
February 2020$0.124241$0.08-$0.05 (38.7%)
January 2020$0.126948$0.08-$0.05 (37.7%)
December 2019$0.129165$0.07-$0.06 (43.3%)
November 2019$0.11909$0.07-$0.05 (43.5%)
October 2019$0.112771$0.07-$0.04 (39.6%)
September 2019$0.1129$0.07-$0.04 (37.7%)
August 2019$0.128565$0.08-$0.05 (39.3%)
July 2019$0.137623$0.08-$0.06 (41.9%)
June 2019$0.135167$0.08-$0.06 (40.8%)
May 2019$0.137774$0.08-$0.06 (41%)
April 2019$0.14081$0.08-$0.06 (41.1%)
March 2019$0.146453$0.09-$0.06 (38.5%)

Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums) Scrap Price History — Daily Data

A day-by-day market snapshot in exact numbers. Every day we aggregate buy prices from local scrap yards, recording the average, low, and high. Use this table to track real price movement over recent days.

DateAvg price (per lb)ChangeRange (Low/High)
2/17/2026$0.11 / lb+$0.02$0.11 - $0.11
12/22/2025$0.09 / lb-$0.01$0.09 - $0.09
12/19/2025$0.10 / lb-$0.01$0.10 - $0.10
12/14/2025$0.11 / lb+$0.01$0.11 - $0.11
11/8/2025$0.10 / lb— no change$0.10 - $0.10
10/12/2025$0.10 / lb-$0.02$0.10 - $0.10
10/10/2025$0.12 / lb+$0.01$0.12 - $0.12
9/29/2025$0.11 / lb-$0.02$0.11 - $0.11
9/9/2025$0.13 / lb+$0.03$0.13 - $0.13
9/2/2025$0.10 / lb-$0.12$0.10 - $0.10
8/24/2025$0.22 / lb+$0.11$0.22 - $0.22
7/14/2025$0.11 / lb-$0.01$0.11 - $0.11
3/21/2025$0.12 / lb— no change$0.12 - $0.12
3/19/2025$0.12 / lb— no change$0.12 - $0.12
2/13/2025$0.12 / lb+$0.01$0.12 - $0.12
2/6/2025$0.11 / lb— no change$0.11 - $0.11
1/15/2025$0.11 / lb— no change$0.11 - $0.11
12/14/2024$0.11 / lb+$0.01$0.11 - $0.11
12/13/2024$0.10 / lb— no change$0.10 - $0.10
12/8/2024$0.10 / lb-$0.04$0.10 - $0.10
10/9/2024$0.14 / lb— no change$0.14 - $0.14
9/9/2024$0.14 / lb-$0.01$0.14 - $0.14
7/16/2024$0.15 / lb+$0.05$0.15 - $0.15
6/19/2024$0.10 / lb-$0.01$0.10 - $0.10
6/18/2024$0.11 / lb— no change$0.11 - $0.11
6/13/2024$0.11 / lb-$0.01$0.10 - $0.11
2/29/2024$0.12 / lb+$0.01$0.12 - $0.12
2/27/2024$0.11 / lb— no change$0.11 - $0.11
2/23/2024$0.11 / lb-$0.03$0.11 - $0.11
12/8/2023$0.14 / lb+$0.04$0.14 - $0.14
9/27/2023$0.10 / lb— no change$0.10 - $0.10
9/23/2023$0.10 / lb-$0.01$0.10 - $0.10
6/5/2023$0.11 / lb-$0.01$0.11 - $0.11
6/2/2023$0.12 / lb-$0.01$0.12 - $0.12
5/6/2023$0.13 / lb-$0.01$0.13 - $0.13
3/30/2023$0.14 / lb+$0.03$0.14 - $0.14
1/30/2023$0.11 / lb+$0.02$0.11 - $0.11
10/2/2022$0.09 / lb-$0.01$0.09 - $0.09
8/13/2022$0.10 / lb+$0.01$0.10 - $0.10
7/28/2022$0.09 / lb-$0.01$0.09 - $0.09
6/29/2022$0.10 / lb-$0.04$0.10 - $0.10
5/22/2022$0.14 / lb+$0.03$0.14 - $0.14
1/25/2022$0.11 / lb-$0.01$0.11 - $0.11
8/2/2021$0.12 / lb+$0.01$0.12 - $0.12
3/9/2021$0.11 / lb— no change$0.11 - $0.11
3/3/2021$0.11 / lb+$0.03$0.11 - $0.11
1/26/2021$0.08 / lb-$0.03$0.08 - $0.08
1/18/2021$0.11 / lb+$0.03$0.11 - $0.11
10/20/2020$0.08 / lb— no change$0.08 - $0.08
9/25/2020$0.08 / lb+$0.02$0.08 - $0.08
8/8/2020$0.06 / lb-$0.01$0.06 - $0.06
12/10/2019$0.07 / lb+$0.01$0.07 - $0.07
12/9/2019$0.06 / lb— no change$0.06 - $0.06
11/20/2019$0.06 / lb-$0.02$0.06 - $0.06
9/15/2019$0.08 / lb-$0.01$0.07 - $0.08

Cashing In On Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums)

If you run a mechanic shop or do a lot of brake jobs in New York, Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums) is a heavy, consistent money-maker. Unlike light sheet iron, brake rotors and drums are a premium foundry-grade cast iron. Because of its density and predictable melting point, scrap buyers are actively looking for it. Currently, our data shows yards are paying anywhere from $0.11 to $0.16 per pound, with the national average hovering right around $0.12. Since these parts are incredibly heavy, even a small bucket of old rotors can add up to a significant payout at the scale.

Don't Let the Scale Boss Downgrade Your Load

The cardinal sin of scrapping heavy cast is tossing it into a bin with lower-tier ferrous metals. If you mix your premium Automotive Cast Iron with light shred like Wire Fence or thin tin, the yard manager will downgrade the entire load to the lowest denominator. That lazy sorting mistake could cost you roughly $0.08 per pound instantly. Keep your rotors and drums in their own dedicated barrels to maximize your profit.

Field Prep for Maximum Payout

Sorting is simple: keep your auto cast clean and separate from regular steel scrap. You don't need to worry about the surface rust that naturally forms on old brake rotors—foundries expect it. However, you do need to make sure there are no excessive fluids, grease puddles, or non-ferrous attachments mixed in with your bin. A clean, dedicated barrel of nothing but rotors and drums guarantees the fastest weigh-in and the highest cast iron rate.

Yard Pro Tip: Watch out for modern composite brake rotors. Some newer or high-performance vehicles use rotors that feature a cast iron friction ring bolted or riveted to a lightweight aluminum 'hat' (the center hub). If you throw these mixed-metal composite rotors into your clean cast iron pile, the yard might catch it and downgrade the whole bin to a 'dirty aluminum' or standard light iron rate. Always check your load with a magnet and remove those aluminum centers if possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do rotors and drums pay a different rate than regular steel?

Automotive Cast Iron is a specific, high-density material. Foundries prefer clean auto cast because it melts predictably and contains specific carbon levels compared to a random mix of standard steel scrap. This specialized industrial demand helps maintain a solid national average of $0.12 per pound.

How does the market dictate cast iron prices?

Like all ferrous metals, cast iron pricing is heavily tied to domestic mill demand, export orders, and the CME. Local buyers must factor in the heavy transportation and handling costs to move this dense material, meaning your local yard price will typically sit about 43.8% below spot market rates.

Do I need to clean the rust off my old brake rotors?

No, surface rust is completely normal and expected on used Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums). The scrap yard and the foundry do not care about rust. Just make sure there is no heavy grease or non-metallic garbage mixed in your load.