How to scrap my car legally
Saying goodbye to your car can be a sad time for any driver. There are a number of reasons to scrap your car, but whatever the reason, you must make sure you do so legally. In this article we will take you through the correct way to scrap your car so you don’t face any fines from the DVLA or get taken advantage of by untrustworthy people.
Where to scrap your car?
In 2005 it became a legal requirement to scrap your vehicle in an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF). An ATF is licensed by the Environment Agency to scrap vehicles following strict safety and quality standards. These standards are to ensure that the destruction of vehicles does not harm the environment. At Scrap My Car Company we only work with the very best approved ATFs to ensure your vehicle is scrapped safely and legally. Our vast network of ATFs mean that we can provide you with the very best prices and collection speeds, resulting in faster and bigger payouts for you.
Taking parts off a scrap vehicle
If you are taking any parts off the vehicle before scrapping it, you must declare the car as sorn with the DVLA first. You can then dismantle the vehicle as you wish, removing whatever parts you want to keep, and scrapping the rest.
It’s very important that the vehicle is kept off the road, such as leaving it in a garage or on private land, or you could face a fine.
Scrapping a car with a personalised number plate?
If you are scrapping your entire vehicle and you have a personalised number plate, you can remove the plate but you must apply online to take the number plate off the road first.
Once you have applied and been approved, you can remove the plate and then get your vehicle recycled by a reputable scrap car company.
Which documents do you need to scrap your car
It is not a legal requirement to possess your vehicle’s log book to scrap your car, however, it can make the process run a bit smoother if you can provide it.
Some scrap yards can be quite insistent about having this document but there are plenty of scrap car dealers out there, such as us, that won’t require you to provide it if you don’t have it.
If you want to apply for a new v5 logbook, you can apply for one from the DVLA for a cost of £25.
A photo ID and proof of address are also something you will need to provide. If you are not asked for any form of identification, it can be a sign that the company you are dealing with is not doing things by the book.
You can see a list of acceptable documents on our FAQs page.
Informing the DVLA that your car has been scrapped
Once your vehicle has been handed in, you must inform the DVLA unless the company is doing this on your behalf.
Failure to report your vehicle as scrap could result in a fine of up to £1000.
An application to the DVLA can be made online, and the driver will receive both an email and a letter confirmation in addition to a tax refund cheque if applicable.
Getting paid legally for your scrap car
If your car is being destroyed by an Authorised Treatment Facility, it is illegal to be paid cash in the UK. Payment must be made by bank transfer or cheque.
Anyone offering to pay you in cash to scrap your car is a clear sign that something is not right and they are probably unlicensed and dishonest. It is important that you avoid these and only deal with a reputable scrap company like us.
Getting a Certificate of Destruction
Once your car has been scrapped, the ATF will send you a certificate of destruction within seven days. The CoD is evidence that your car has been destroyed legally.
Without a Cod you could still be liable to pay penalties and tax, so it is extremely important that you ensure this part of the process is being handled correctly.
You could also face fines of up to £1000 if you do not report your vehicle as destroyed.
Don’t forget
Remember you can claim back any unused car tax, and you’ll also want to inform your insurance company straight away so they can cancel your policy.
Make sure there are no personal items in the glove compartment, and take a good look around the boot before you hand over the keys