Question 1

Do you pay cash for scrap cars?

Accepted Answer

The reputable recycling centres we work with do not buy scrap cars for cash. When selling your scrap car, avoid any traders offering cash. Since 2013, paying cash for scrap has been illegal – so buyers who do are breaking the law, and could leave you exposed to legal difficulties.
All of our scrap partners are government-registered Authorised Treatment Facilities, so you can be sure that they will handle your vehicle correctly, and when it leaves on the back of their recovery vehicle to their site, your responsibility for the car is completely tied up.

Question 2

How much is my scrap car worth?

Accepted Answer

The value of a scrap car depends on a lot of different factors,  including weight, the trim level, and engine type. The good news is, we work with a huge range of specialist dismantlers and vehicle recyclers who often offer more than just scrap value for specific makes and models, so we’re confident our prices won’t be beaten!

Question 3

What documents do I need to scrap my car?

Accepted Answer

To scrap your car, you’ll need your V5C logbook. This is what proves you’re the registered keeper of the car (and therefore have the legal right to scrap it). You’ll also need to show proof of ID (like a driving licence or passport) and something to confirm your address (like a utility bill).

Question 4

Can I scrap a written off car?

Accepted Answer

If your car’s been written off by your insurer, you can absolutely scrap it through us. What matters is whether you still legally own the car. If your insurer has paid out and taken ownership, then it’s their responsibility, not yours. But if they’ve written it off and left it with you, you’re free to scrap it and pocket the payment.
In fact, sometimes you’re legally obliged to scrap a car once it’s been written off. If it’s a Category A or B write-off, you legally cannot repair it and bring it back to the road.

Question 5

Will scrapping my car affect my no-claims bonus?

Accepted Answer

Scrapping your car on its own doesn’t affect your no-claims bonus. If you’re just getting rid of the vehicle, say it failed its MOT or isn’t worth repairing, you’re not making a claim on your insurance. You’re just choosing to scrap it, and that has nothing to do with your no-claims.
Now, if your car was written off and you made an insurance claim, that’s a different story. In that case, it can impact your no-claims bonus, depending on your policy.
If you’ve got protected no-claims, you might be fine because you can make a certain number of claims within a certain timeframe while retaining your bonus. If not, it could be reduced or reset depending on how the insurer treats the accident.

Question 6

What happens to my car after it’s scrapped?

Accepted Answer

First, it goes to an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF). These are the only yards legally allowed to scrap vehicles in the UK, and they’re required to follow strict environmental rules when doing so to guarantee it’s all done properly and safely.
Once the car makes it to the ATF, it’s de-polluted first. That means the oil, fuel, coolant, brake fluid and other fluids are drained and disposed of. Then they strip out engines, gearboxes, wheels, batteries, catalytic converters and other reusable or valuable parts. Those can be sold on or recycled.
After that, the shell of the car is crushed and recycled as scrap metal. By the end of the process, we’re able guarantee that at least 95% of your vehicle’s mass will be recycled.
You’ll also get a Certificate of Destruction once the car’s fully scrapped. This is the official DVLA confirmation that the vehicle no longer exists and isn’t your responsibility anymore.

Question 7

Is it safe to scrap my car online?

Accepted Answer

Scrapping your car online with us is actually safer than doing it the old-school way.
For one, you know you’re dealing directly with licensed ATFs, so there’s nothing to worry about from a legal standpoint. .
Plus, everything’s tracked through our platform from the quote to the collection to the final DVLA paperwork. There’s no room for error. You don’t have to post anything or figure it out yourself. We manage it all, and you stay fully in the loop the whole time.

Question 8

Do I need to SORN my vehicle before scrapping?

Accepted Answer

No, you don’t need to SORN your vehicle before scrapping it, so long as you’re scrapping the entire vehicle. Once we collect your car and it’s scrapped by one of our licensed ATFs, we notify the DVLA for you. That includes deregistering the vehicle and issuing a Certificate of Destruction.
The only time you’re required to SORN the vehicle is if you’re parting the car out yourself. Then, you’d put the off-road notification on the car, sell the parts you want to sell and finally tell the DVLA once you’ve scrapped the rest.

Question 9

Can I scrap my car with outstanding finance?

Accepted Answer

The short answer: no, you can’t scrap a car that’s still on finance.
With most types of car finance, including hire purchase, PCP and lease agreements, you don’t legally own the vehicle until the finance is fully paid off. That means you cannot legally sell it or scrap it because it still belongs to the finance company.
There’s one small exception: if you took out a personal loan that wasn’t tied directly to the car (so not secured against the vehicle), then technically you own the car. In that case, you could scrap it. But that’s pretty rare, and you’d still be responsible for repaying the loan regardless of what happens to the vehicle.
If you do want to sell or scrap your car, the first step is to contact your finance provider and ask for a settlement figure. Just be aware that if you’re still early into a long-term contract, there’ll probably be additional fees or interest charges for settling early.

Question 10

Can I scrap a MOT failure car?

Accepted Answer

If your car’s failed its MOT, you can still scrap it with us. In fact, we scrap MOT failures every single day.
Whether it’s got a long list of issues, is no longer roadworthy, or just isn’t worth the cost of repairs, we’ll take it off your hands and get you paid. And because collection is completely free, you don’t need to worry about driving an unroadworthy vehicle or arranging transport.

Question 11

Can I scrap my car without a V5C logbook?

Accepted Answer

The DVLA have no problem with drivers scrapping their vehicles without a V5C logbook, but honestly, we don’t recommend doing so unless you absolutely have to.
You’re better off applying for a new V5C. It’s super easy — you do it online, it costs £25 and it shows up within 5 working days. Once you’ve got it, the whole scrappage process is smooth, quick and more secure for everyone involved, including you
If you choose to scrap your car without a V5C, it becomes your responsibility to manually inform the DVLA of the sale and make sure they update their records correctly. That means writing a proper letter with all the information and posting it, which is a lot more of a hassle.

Question 12

Do you provide a Certificate of Destruction (CoD)?

Accepted Answer

If your car is being scrapped and destroyed through our service, you will be issued a Certificate of Destruction (CoD).
Once your vehicle reaches one of our licensed ATFs and is officially scrapped, the ATF notifies the DVLA and generates the CoD. You’ll usually get the certificate within a few days of the car being processed.
Now just to be clear: You only get a CoD if the car is actually scrapped. If the car is being salvaged for parts or repaired and sold on, you won’t get a CoD because in that case, the vehicle isn’t being destroyed.

Question 13

Can I scrap a car that's not in my name?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can scrap a car on behalf of someone else, but you’ll need to prove you’re authorised to do so. If the car belonged to a friend, relative or someone else, we’ll need some legal evidence that you’ve got permission to scrap it.
That usually means (a) a signed letter from the registered keeper giving you consent, (b) a copy of their photo ID and (c) proof of your own ID and address. If the registered owner has passed away, things are slightly different. You’ll need to show proof of executorship or a grant of probate to confirm you have the legal right to dispose of the vehicle on their behalf.

Question 14

Do you scrap non-UK registered vehicles permanently imported here?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we do scrap non-UK registered vehicles that have been permanently imported, but there are a few extra steps involved. Before scrapping it at an ATF, it has to be formally imported and registered with the DVLA. You also have to tax it.

Question 15

Can I keep my Private number plate when scraping my car?

Accepted Answer

We take the extra step of checking if your registration mark has any value through our partnership with Newreg.co.uk. Over the years, we’ve been surprised to find that people regularly send their cars for scrap with high value registration combinations attached. For example, L454 GNE which looks like “lasagne” would be worth about £15,000, yet becomes valueless when scrapped on a car. If your plate has value, we will inform you and help you with the process of retaining it before the car is scrapped. This ensures that you don’t unknowingly destroy a valuable asset. The remainder of your car’s value is worth exactly the same as it would be prior to removing any valuable number plate, so you’re maximising your total return without any downside.

Question 16

What is considered a damaged car?

Accepted Answer

A damaged car is any vehicle that has been written off, involved in an accident or has mechanical, electrical or cosmetic faults that affect its condition or safety. It covers everything from light panel dents to serious structural issues and seized engines.
What we mean when we say we take “any damaged car” is that even if yours won’t start or has failed its MOT, it still holds value as scrap, and we’ll pay you on the spot for it.

Question 17

How can I scrap my car for money?

Accepted Answer

To scrap your car for money, enter your registration and postcode on Car.co.uk to get an instant valuation. Once you accept the quote, we’ll arrange free collection from your location. You’ll receive payment by secure bank transfer after the car is collected.
We handle all the paperwork and only work with DVLA-authorised treatment facilities, so we’re able to guarantee a safe and legal process.

Question 18

How do I notify DVLA after scrapping my car?

Accepted Answer

When your vehicle is collected by someone from our collection team, you’ll receive a Certificate of Destruction (CoD). You’ll tell the DVLA you’ve scrapped your car by completing the guided online notification process. Alternatively, you can fill out the V5C/3 section of your logbook (the yellow slip) and post it to the DVLA.
If you sell to Car.co.uk, we guide you through every step to make sure it’s done correctly.

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