How to scrap my car?

Posted on June 27, 2022 |

When a vehicle has reached the end of its life you might not know what to do or who to contact. Scrapping a car can be a new experience for a lot of people and the whole concept can seem quite daunting and confusing. We’d like to hopefully put an end to your worries and concerns with this comprehensive ‘how to scrap my car’ guide for beginners. This guide contains everything you need to know to scrap your car sensibly and legally.

1. Choose the right scrap my car company

First of all, be careful of unscrupulous companies that will dispose of your vehicle illegally and in ways that are not good for the environment. Make sure you use a reputable company that has good Google Reviews or credibility through word of mouth.

Do not pay for collection of your vehicle as this should be included in the deal. A credible company will offer free car removal with a specialised vehicle.

A professional scrap my car company will recycle your car responsibly using an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF). This is the only official way to scrap a car and by doing so you will receive a certificate of destruction which proves your car has been recycled correctly and lawfully.

2. Provide accurate vehicle details in our scrap my car quote form

It’s really simple to get a quote. All you need to do is fill out our really simple scrap car quote form or call us on 07951 509 540. One of our experienced members of staff will ask you a few more questions over the phone and instantly let you know what your vehicle is worth. It really is that easy and you could have the money in your account the same day!

It is very important that you provide accurate details of the car and its current location. With this information the company can offer you an accurate quote and there are no disappointments for both parties when the vehicle is assessed on collection.

3. How to get the best price for your scrap car?

By using a professional company to scrap your car, you can be sure you’re getting the best price for your old car. We take many things into consideration before offering you a fair quote and we’re constantly reviewing our prices based on industry standards. All you need to do is fill out our really simple scrap car quote form or call us on 07951 509 540.

4. Be available for collection or drop off

Once you have accepted our offer, we will arrange for collection at a time that suits you. All we ask is that you provide an accurate location of the vehicle and be available to meet our driver with the appropriate paperwork and anything else we’ve requested. If your vehicle is drivable, make sure that the tyres are fully inflated and the keys are available.

Alternatively, you can drop your vehicle off to us if it suits you better. Just let us know when you plan to drop it off and we will ensure someone is available to meet you at our yard.

We collect scrap cars from Hertfordshire and the surrounding areas, however if you are slightly outside that area bracket give us a call anyway just in case we are nearby.

5. What paperwork do I need to scrap my car?

We require a photo ID and accept the following:

Valid UK driver’s license
Valid UK passport
Valid European passport
Valid UK biometric immigration document

We also require a proof of address and accept the following:

Credit or debit card statement
Bank statement
Council tax or demand letter
Utility bill (gas, electricity, water)

Please note, all proof of address documents must be dated within the last 3 months. Mobile phone bills are not accepted.

6. Get paid for your scrap car – do not accept cash, it is illegal

After our experienced scrap car collector assesses your vehicle at the location you provided, if all is as it seems they will transfer the money directly into your account there and then.

We do not pay cash for scrap cars as it is illegal, stated in Section 12 of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013. Anyone who offers to pay you cash is breaking the law and you should not be involved.

7. How to get a Certificate of Destruction?

We contact DVLA when your vehicle has been scrapped and they will issue a certificate of destruction. You can use this certificate to claim a refund on any unused road tax.

It is extremely important that DVLA are notified when your car has been scrapped. If not, you could be fined £1,000. With us you can rest assured this will always happen.

8. Claim back unused road tax and insurance on your scrap car

Did you know, you can actually claim back any unused road tax and insurance when you scrap your car. This is something you could easily miss out on if you didn’t know about it.

Once you have the certificate of destruction, all you need to do is simply call your insurance provider and let them know your vehicle has been scrapped. If your policy is still active, they will refund you on the remaining balance.

The same goes for your unused road tax, simply let GOV.UK know and they will refund you the remaining balance.

So there you have it, our “how to scrap my car” guide for beginners should hopefully have given you all the information you need to make the right decision when it comes to scrapping your vehicle.

If there is anything you are unclear about, visit our FAQs page or simply pick up the phone and get in touch with us on 07951 509 540. We will be happy to answer any questions you have.