Lost your car keys? Or maybe the car’s been sitting unused for years and the keys vanished long ago. It’s a more common situation than you might think, and the good news is this — yes, you can scrap a car without keys.
That said, there are a few important things you need to know before booking a collection. Let’s walk through it properly so there are no surprises on the day.
Why Missing Keys Aren’t a Deal Breaker
Scrap cars don’t need to be driven. They don’t need to start, unlock remotely, or even turn the steering wheel. As long as the vehicle can be safely identified and collected, missing keys aren’t usually an issue.
Most reputable scrap car dealers deal with non-runners every single day — cars with flat batteries, seized engines, accident damage, or no keys at all. It’s all part of the job.
What Actually Matters When Scrapping Without Keys
While keys aren’t essential, a few other things do matter. Here’s what scrap dealers will usually check instead.
- Proof the car belongs to you – This is the big one. The V5C logbook helps, but even without it, there are still ways to proceed.
- Access to the vehicle – If the car is locked and boxed in, collection may take longer or require specialist equipment.
- Clear collection details – Knowing exactly where the car is parked and whether it can roll freely makes things much smoother.
As long as these boxes are ticked, the lack of keys alone won’t stop the car being scrapped.
Do I Need the V5C If I Don’t Have Keys?
Ideally, yes — but it’s not always essential.
If you have the V5C logbook, the process is very straightforward. If you don’t, most scrap dealers can still help, provided you can show proof of ownership and complete the DVLA notification correctly.
What you shouldn’t worry about is being refused outright just because the logbook or keys are missing. That’s rarely the case with a reputable dealer.
How Is the Car Collected Without Keys?
This depends on the car’s condition and location.
- If the car can roll – A winch or skates can be used to load it onto a recovery truck.
- If the steering is locked – Specialist equipment can still move it safely.
- If it’s completely stuck – The collection team will assess the safest way to recover it without damage to nearby property.
It may take slightly longer than a standard collection, but it’s all very routine.
Will Scrapping Without Keys Affect the Price?
Usually, no.
The value of a scrap car is based on its weight, metal content, and current scrap prices — not whether the keys are present. In some rare cases, if access is extremely difficult, there may be a small adjustment, but this is always discussed upfront.
If a company suddenly drops the price on collection day purely because you don’t have keys, that’s a red flag.
Things to Tell the Scrap Dealer Upfront
To avoid delays or confusion, always be honest when booking. Let them know:
- The car has no keys
- Whether it’s locked or unlocked
- If the wheels turn freely
- Where it’s parked and how accessible it is
This helps the collection team arrive prepared and keeps everything running smoothly.
Final Thoughts
Scrapping a car without keys is absolutely possible and far more common than people realise. As long as you use a reputable scrap car dealer, provide accurate details, and have proof of ownership, the process is straightforward.
At Scrap My Car Company, we regularly collect vehicles with no keys, no MOT, and no life left in them at all. We’ll guide you through the process, arrange safe collection, and make sure everything’s handled properly from start to finish.
Lost the keys? No problem. The car can still go.
