How to Scrap a Car

It can be a sad moment when your car reaches the end of its working life — whether it’s been a reliable runner or on its way out for a while. You may be wondering what to do with the old vehicle. Where should it go? Here’s our advice on scrapping your car.

Why scrap a car?

Even if you have a sentimental attachment to it, you probably don’t want a rusting car sitting in your driveway. With increasing value in scrap metals, you may also be able to get money for your old vehicle.

Valuation — how much is your car worth?

The price you’ll receive when you scrap a car can be hard to predict as the scrap metal market fluctuates. Aluminium, copper, and steel are highly sought-after metals, however. So if your car contains a lot of these, it will probably be worth more.

Larger vehicles will generally be worth more than smaller ones as they contain more material. Likewise, newer cars tend to be worth more than older ones.

You should be able to scrap your car for free, so be wary of any scrap yards that try to charge you. It’s also important to note that you cannot receive cash for your scrap car — it has been illegal to do so since the 2013 Scrap Metal Dealers Act. Instead, a scrap yard must pay you by cheque or bank transfer.

Notify the DVLA

It’s essential to contact the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA) to let them know you no longer own your car. If you don’t, you may get a £1,000 fine. We can do this for the owner and also supply a ‘Certificate of Destruction’. 

Gather your paperwork

To get rid of your old vehicle, you’ll need:

• Your ID

• Proof of address

• The car’s logbook (to prove your ownership and prevent unlawful sales)

Don’t have the car’s logbook? You can send the DVLA a letter detailing your car’s make, model, and registration number; the exact date of your sale; and the name and address of the scrapyard.

Find an Authorised Treatment Facility

No matter what kind of vehicle you have, there are government regulations you must follow to scrap it. The government’s End-of-life Vehicles (ELV) regulations state that old cars can only be scrapped at Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs).

ATFs ensure that cars are scrapped in an environmentally-responsible way. They follow strict ELV guidelines, face Environment Agency monitoring, and carry out de-pollution processes. ATFs also know how to safely handle and store any parts removed from the car.

As well as being a quality skip hire company, at A Brunton Waste, we also hold an ATF license. We have a market-leading de-pollution station which allows us to remove potentially-hazardous materials from your scrap car and dispose of them appropriately.

ATFs like ours can also issue Certificate of Destruction (COD) documents through the DVLA. When looking for an Authorised Treatment Facility, it’s vital to ensure they follow the correct legislation and can provide you with the necessary documentation.

Quality car scrapping and skip hire in Scarborough

Did you know that you can recycle up to 80% of a vehicle? At A Brunton Skip Hire, we’re passionate about recycling and handling scrap materials in a way that doesn’t cost the Earth. Our car scrappage service ensures not only that you get the best deal for your old vehicle, but also that the scrap is handled responsibly.

If you’re looking to scrap your car in the Scarborough area, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team. You can bring your car to us, or we’d be happy to arrange a collection.