how do i scrap my car

How to dispose of an automobile


If you're not an expert in the market, it might be challenging to choose when to scrap your car because the price of scrap metal fluctuates frequently, even daily. Getting as many estimates as you can and selecting the most profitable one is the best course of action. It can be beneficial to scrap your automobile at an ATF close to your house when you're having your car picked up and want to obtain the maximum money for it. The distance that scrap dealers had to travel to and from your location will be taken into account. Your payout will be better if they have less distance to travel. In some scrap yards, the first half of the month pays more than the second. If you can, make your reservations in advance to get a better deal because they tend to charge less affordable rates at the end of the month to attract less customers. To avoid having money deducted from your final payment for items you didn't anticipate, always request a guaranteed quote from the scrap dealer you select.


If you want to sell a scrap car, you've come to the right location. Here, you can find solutions to numerous questions that people who are getting ready to sell their cars regularly have. We have the information you require, from understanding the paperwork required to complete the job to knowing what to do if you need to scrap a car but don't have the keys. Our scrap my car dealers also offer a great vehicle recycling service if you're hoping to scrap your car straight away.

How do I dispose of my car


An automobile can be scrapped far faster than it can be sold. Depending on how busy the scrap yard is, you may be able to arrange for them to take up your automobile in only a few days after you arrange for it to be scrapped at an authorised treatment facility (ATF) online. After your car is scrapped, you'll get a Certificate of Destruction that acts as formal documentation indicating it was destroyed (COD). You'll get the certificate in the mail seven days after your car has been demolished.

How do I dispose of my car

What paperwork is required to scrap a car


Before you may scrap your car, you must first get the necessary paperwork. You must provide the ATF with a photo ID, documentation of your address, and, if you have one, your V5 logbook. If you wish to save your licence plate, you should apply before you wreck your car. Your licence plate maintenance will cost you £80. The next step is to request quotes from ATFs in your area, weigh the prices on offer for your car, and pick a location to scrap it. Try to choose one that is close to your base of operations for the best price. Your car may only be demolished at an ATF; doing it otherwise is illegal and punishable by hefty fines. A trustworthy ATF will recycle your car by recycling it, or you may use our outstanding service on scrap car dealers to get a quick estimate on a scrap car. After you've settled on a set price, you can set a specific date for having your car scrapped. If you want the ATF to pick up your car from you or whether you want to deliver it yourself is up to you. If your car is unsafe, uninsured, or untaxed, you should never drive it to the scrap yard because this is against the law. Make sure you only accept payments made via bank transfer or cheque. Receiving money in England and Wales in return for a scrap car is against the law. The ATF will provide your Certificate of Destruction within seven days after scrapping. Give the yellow "Sell Transfer" component of your V5 registration paperwork to the ATF, keep the rest for the DVLA, and give the V5 registration document to the ATF if you have one. If you don't have your logbook, write to the DVLA and let them know that your car has been demolished. Include your name, address, phone number, and the make, model, and registration number of your car. Include the name, address, and day that your car was scrapped in addition to the ATF that disposed of it. It's against the law and subject to fines of up to £1,000 to fail to inform the DVLA that your car has been scrapped. If you omit any of the aforementioned details, the DVLA may reject your notification; as a result, carefully review your submission before sending it.

Can I tow my vehicle without my keys


To get your car destroyed, you will always be required to present photo identification, such as a current driver's licence or passport, and proof of residence, such as a recent utility bill with your address on it. Copies of these records will be kept on file at the ATF for three years. These are requirements under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act of 2013. This law was created to prevent dishonest transactions by dishonest scrap dealers and to discourage crimes involving vehicles. If you have a copy of the V5 registration document, you can junk your car with less paperwork. If you don't have your logbook, you can still have your car scrapped, but you'll need to tell the DVLA in writing. Once your car has been scrapped, the ATF will provide a Certificate of Destruction to the DVLA.

How to calculate a car's worth as junk


You can still rubbish an automobile even if you don't have the keys, but you'll need proof of ownership and there can be additional costs. If you can't find your automobile keys, the ATF will want proof of ownership. If you've also misplaced your V5 registration paper, which is normally required for this, you'll also need other identification documentation. In such cases, a bill of sale for the vehicle that is registered in your name can be required. Remember that if you don't have your keys, the trash dealer might charge you more, which could lower how much money you ultimately get for your old car. Due of its immobility, your car will need to be winched onto a truck, and smaller yards might not have the equipment to do so. If the car is locked, the junk seller could have to break into it to transfer it or, if necessary, put it in neutral. Your total amount will be deducted by the scrap merchant to pay for this additional labour. Your payment will also be reduced by the price of the HPI vehicle history check, which the ATF may order if your ownership of the car cannot be confirmed.

Where can I get the greatest money for scrapping my car


An automobile's value as scrap is determined by its weight, so in general, the bigger and heavier your car is, the more money it will be worth as scrap. For instance, a huge vehicle like a Land Rover will likely generate nearly twice as much revenue as a small city car like a Ford Fiesta. Similar to when you buy a car, a car's age, place of manufacturing, and model affect its price, and the same is true of its scrap value. On occasion, you can find that a model that costs a lot to buy and maintain is worth more when it is thrown away. When older models are discarded, they normally fetch less money than more modern versions, but very old cars could include rarer metals like copper and brass, which are more valuable than steel and aluminium. The value of your car may also be affected by whether or not it is fully completed or if any parts are missing. Any parts you retain or sell to fix another vehicle will be noted by the ATF. For each part the car is lacking, your payment will be decreased. You might have to spend more than £60 on an expensive component like an engine.

Where can I get the greatest money for scrapping my car

Frequently Asked Questions

Even if you do remove parts, there's no sure way of knowing you'll sell the components for a fair price. Your car will be worth more if it's complete than if it has parts missing. Vehicles that contain a full complement of original components usually command the highest value when scrapped.

It's a straightforward process, fortunately. If your V5C/V5C was issued after April 2019, you'll need to complete section 4 of the V5C log book form to let the DVLA know you've scrapped it.

When scrapping your vehicle, a logbook can be useful but it's not a must, so if you don't have one, it will mean more work for you. It is important to follow the correct procedure when you aren't in possession of a logbook. This will save you from fines for breaking the law and additional costs from scrap yards.

For scrapping your car, you will need the vehicle registration document or V5C, which is the vehicle logbook. By doing so, you prove that the car you are about to sell for scrap belongs to you, thus preventing the sale of an unauthorised vehicle.