Found a 2013 Scion IQ in the Junkyard – Worth Salvaging?

This topic has 8 replies, 14 voices, and was last updated 5 months ago by eleonorasm.

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March 31, 2026 #555
sarah_lee
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Hey everyone, I stumbled upon a 2013 Scion IQ at a local junkyard yesterday and I’m trying to figure out if it’s worth pulling parts from or if there’s any potential for a project. The car is pretty beat up overall, but I wanted to get some opinions from the community before I decide what to do.

From what I could see, the body has significant rust on the undercarriage and the interior is pretty trashed. The engine compartment looks relatively intact though, and I couldn’t spot any major mechanical damage at first glance. The 1.3L engine doesn’t appear to have seized, which is something I guess.

The Scion IQ was always an interesting little car – those tiny dimensions and that unusual design made it a quirky choice for urban driving. But I’m wondering if this particular one still has any value, either as a whole vehicle restoration project or just for parts.

I know the Scion brand is gone now, so finding compatible parts might be tricky. And honestly, the IQ was never the most popular car on the road. Still, I’m curious about what others think. Has anyone here worked with these cars before? Are there any common issues I should know about?

The junkyard owner is giving me a decent price if I want to pull it, but I need to know if it’s actually worth my time and effort. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!
March 31, 2026 #556
stefan.kuiperfl
Participant
The 2013 IQ is a neat find, but honestly those things are pretty polarizing. The good news is the 1.3L engine is pretty bulletproof if it hasn’t seized. The bad news is parts availability is already getting tough and will only get worse. I’d focus on pulling the engine and transmission if they’re solid.
March 31, 2026 #557
brettkb
Participant
I disagree with pulling it as a project car. The Scion IQ was underpowered and cramped even when new. Unless you’re doing this for parts or a novelty build, I’d pass. There’s no collector value either, so resale would be a nightmare.
March 31, 2026 #558
noah_brown
Participant
Sarah, those maintenance costs on the IQ can sneak up on you. Even though the engine is simple, getting parts like alternators and starters often means ordering online since dealers don’t stock Scion parts anymore. I’d estimate $800-1200 just to get one road-worthy again, not counting rust repair.
March 31, 2026 #559
michael95
Participant
Those IQ cars were actually pretty fun in their own weird way. Small, nimble, parking anywhere… I think if the engine runs, you should grab it. Could make a cool restoration project or at least get decent parts from it. The tires and electronics alone might be worth something.
March 31, 2026 #560
olivia.morganni
Participant
The interior being trashed is actually less of a concern than the rust you mentioned. If the undercarriage is rusted heavily, that’s your real problem. Rust repair is expensive and time-consuming. I’d definitely have a closer look at the frame before committing to anything.
March 31, 2026 #561
brandon.bonnetqv
Participant
I’ve seen a couple of IQ projects online and they’re either amazing or total money pits with nothing in between. Sounds like yours is leaning toward the latter given the rust situation. Get a full inspection before you decide.
March 31, 2026 #562
adrianmartin838
Participant
The 2013 model should have relatively updated electronics compared to earlier IQ years. If you’re parting it out, the ECU and wiring harness could be valuable to the right buyer. Don’t overlook the smaller components.
March 31, 2026 #563
sarah_lee
Participant
Thanks for all the feedback so far. I’m leaning toward going back and doing a more thorough inspection, especially of the frame and undercarriage. The rust concern has me second-guessing the whole thing. If it’s that bad, I’m thinking parts out might be the way to go rather than a full restoration.
March 31, 2026 #564
david27
Participant
I have to disagree with the restoration talk too. These cars are cheap for a reason. The market has moved on and nostalgia alone won’t make this profitable or even fun. Unless you just want a curiosity piece.
March 31, 2026 #565
sven_georgiouk
Participant
Has anyone mentioned the transmission? If it’s an automatic, that might be worth something on its own. The manual was rare on these but more desirable. Figure out which one you’ve got – could change the whole equation.
March 31, 2026 #566
andrew_smith
Participant
Those 1.3L engines are Toyota-based and bulletproof. If it runs, that engine alone might fetch $400-600 from a tuner or someone doing a swap into something else. Definitely worth considering.
March 31, 2026 #567
markustorresxr
Participant
The IQ’s compact size actually makes it perfect for parts cars though. Tail lights, mirrors, door panels – lots of small urban car enthusiasts might want them. Just check what’s actually salvageable before you commit.
March 31, 2026 #568
zara.bernardtf
Participant
I’d say pull the engine and sell it as a package with the transmission. That’s your best return on investment from a junkyard find like this. Everything else is too risky with the rust issues you’re describing.
March 31, 2026 #569
eleonorasm
Participant
The design of the IQ was really ahead of its time for urban mobility. That said, Sarah, your observation about rust is the deciding factor here. If the structural integrity is compromised, everything else becomes secondary. Get a mechanic to look at it if you can.
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