How do I verify a buyer's claimed weight for my vehicle is accurate without my own way to weigh it?
Short answer: Compare the buyer's stated weight against the vehicle's published kerb weight from the manufacturer, which is generally available online for most makes and models, accounting for reasonable differences due to missing fluids or parts — while not a perfect match, this gives you a useful independent reference point even without access to your own scale.
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List Free →Why kerb weight is a useful, accessible reference point
Manufacturer-published kerb weight figures are readily available for most vehicle makes and models, giving you a reasonable independent benchmark to compare against a buyer’s stated weight, even without access to your own weighing equipment.
Why some difference from kerb weight is normal
Kerb weight typically includes a full tank of fuel and standard fluids, while a scrap vehicle being weighed has often had some fluids removed or parts missing — a modest difference between kerb weight and the buyer’s figure is expected and not itself a sign of a problem.
What a significant, unexplained gap might indicate
If the buyer’s stated weight is substantially below the published kerb weight with no clear explanation — like extensive missing parts — that’s worth questioning directly, and for a higher-value vehicle, seeking access to an independent weighbridge is a reasonable additional step.
How ScrapTrade Makes This Easier
Getting quotes from multiple buyers on ScrapTrade for the same vehicle gives you a comparison point if one buyer’s weight claim seems unusually low relative to published kerb weight.
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