Can I Scrap a Car That’s Not in My Name?

There are a few reasons you might need to scrap a car that isn’t in your name. Maybe the owner passed away or is unable to do it themselves. Maybe it’s an abandoned car that’s taking up space where it shouldn’t.

The short answer to this question is: Yes, you can. But it’s not as simple as calling a scrapyard and handing the car over. And since they’re legally responsible for it (not you), things get a little more complicated.

To legally scrap a car that’s not registered in your name, you’ll need to prove you’re acting with the owner’s consent or have a legitimate connection to them. That could mean you’re a family member managing an estate, a friend asked to handle the process or a business representative disposing of a company vehicle.

Before collection, you’ll be asked to show specific documents, including the V5C logbook, proof of ID and written authorisation from the registered keeper.

In this quick guide, I’ll answer all the questions you might have about scrapping a car that’s not in your name.

Can I scrap a car not registered in my name?

Yes, but there’s an important distinction to understand first.

The registered keeper listed on the V5C logbook isn’t always the legal owner of the car. They’re simply the person responsible for taxing and insuring the vehicle. Ownership can belong to someone else, such as a family member, employer or leasing company.

Because of that, it’s possible to scrap a car that isn’t registered in your name, so long as you can show proof that you have permission or authority from the legal owner.

These are the exact steps you need to take:

1. Get a signed letter from the owner stating they give you permission to scrap the vehicle.
2. Gather the owner’s photo ID and proof of address.
3. Have the owner complete and sign the relevant V5C logbook section.
4. Choose an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF).
5. Notify the DVLA once the process is complete.

The V5 registration document

The V5C logbook is the most important document to have when scrapping your car. It confirms who the registered keeper is and contains key details the scrapyard and DVLA use to verify the vehicle’s identity.

While the V5C isn’t proof of ownership, it’s the main record linking the car to the one responsible for it. Having it helps the ATF process the paperwork quickly and issue a Certificate of Destruction (CoD) once they dismantle it.

If the original logbook was lost or misplaced, you can request a replacement from the DVLA by filling out form V62 and paying a £25 fee. You’ll get the new V5C within 5 working days if you apply online. This lets you complete the scrapping process with full documentation in hand.

If you don’t have it, you can still scrap the car. But instead of using the online notification system or posting the V5C/3 section, you’ll need to write to the DVLA directly. In your letter, you’ll include the info that would normally be included in the V5C:

• Vehicle registration number
• Date of sale
• Name, address and VAT number of the ATF that handled it
• Signatures of you and the person collecting your vehicle

You’ll send this to:

DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BD

Proof of address and photo identification

The ATF needs to know the car you’re bringing in isn’t stolen. This is especially important if the car isn’t registered in your name, which will raise a red flag. The ID check is part of proving you have a real connection to the vehicle or the owner.

For both you and the person you’re scrapping the car for, you’ll need to bring:

• Photo ID: A valid driving licence or a passport.
• Proof of address: A recent utility bill (issued within the last three months), or a bank or credit card statement (also no older than three months).

The car scrapyard will record these details before completing the transaction. Under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, they cannot legally accept cash or collect a vehicle without verifying your identity first.

Informing the DVLA

Telling the DVLA that a car has been scrapped is a crucial step, even if you’re not the registered keeper. It’s the only way to make certain the vehicle is officially removed from the DVLA database and that the registered keeper is no longer legally responsible for it.

You can inform the DVLA in three ways:

1. Online: If you have the V5C logbook, you can notify online by visiting gov.uk/sold-bought-vehicle and follow the on-screen steps using the info from the logbook This is the fastest and most convenient method. It updates DVLA records instantly.
2. By post: Complete section V5C/3 of the logbook (Section 4 on new logbooks, Section 9 on older ones) and post it to DVLA Swansea SA99 1BD. You’ll receive written confirmation once the records are updated.
3. Through a licensed scrapyard (ATF): It’s common practice these days for the ATF to notify the DVLA on your behalf once they scrap the vehicle. This is something we do for all our customers here at Car.co.uk as well.

If you don’t do this, the registered keeper will face fines of up to £1,000 and remain liable for road tax and fines attached to the car.

What documents do I need to scrap a car not in my name?

When scrapping a car that isn’t registered in your name, the key is proving you have the right to authorise its disposal. Whether you’re handling it for a friend, family member, or deceased relative, you’ll need to provide clear evidence of permission or ownership.

Here’s what’s required:

• Vehicle logbook (V5C): This shows who the registered keeper is and helps the scrapyard match the vehicle to DVLA records. If you don’t have it, use the steps I went through earlier to replace it.
• Proof of ownership: Since the car isn’t in your name, you’ll need written authorisation or documents proving your connection to the owner, such as a purchase receipt, finance agreement or insurance policy.
• Identification (ID): You’ll need a valid driving licence or passport, plus proof of address (like a recent utility bill or bank statement) for both you and the registered keeper.
• Deceased owner’s documents: If the registered keeper has passed away, provide a copy of the death certificate and a letter from the executor of the estate granting permission for you to scrap the vehicle.
• DVLA notification: Once the car is collected, make sure you notify the DVLA is online or by post to remove the vehicle from the register and avoid future legal responsibility tied to it.

Can I scrap a car without a title?

Yes, you can scrap a car without a title (V5C logbook). But it’s far from ideal.

The logbook is the quickest way for a scrapyard to confirm that a vehicle is legitimate and tied to its rightful keeper. Without it, you’ll have to go through extra vetting because this is exactly how people try to scrap stolen cars for a quick payday.

You’ll still need photo ID, proof of address, written and signed consent from the owner and proof of their ownership. But proof of ownership will have to be a purchase receipt, insurance document or finance agreement with the owner’s name on it since you don’t have the logbook.

And without it, you’ll have to write to the DVLA by post, which means the update to their records will take several weeks instead of a few minutes.

Can I scrap my car for parts without a title?

If you’re handy with tools, you can strip your car for parts and sell them on platforms like eBay, Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace. For that, you don’t need a logbook because you’re not selling the whole vehicle. To do it legally, you first have to declare the car SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) so it’s no longer registered for road use.

You’ll also need proof of ownership, photo ID and proof of address to show you have the right to sell those parts. Reputable scrapyards and buyers usually refuse to accept parts from vehicles without verifiable ownership because dismantling stolen cars is a common criminal tactic. Keeping records of your ownership and SORN status makes everything is traceable.

Once you’ve sold what you can, the remaining shell will need to be scrapped at an ATF. For that, you’ll need everything mentioned previously.

Is it possible for someone to scrap my car without my permission?

Legally, no. It’s considered theft. No one can scrap your car without your consent, but it can and does happen if someone uses fake documents or pretends to be the owner.

What to do immediately if you think someone has scrapped or is going to scrap your car without permission:

• Call the police straight away. If the theft is in progress, call 999; otherwise report it to your local force (101) and get a crime reference number.
• Contact your insurer. Tell them the car is missing or suspected stolen and follow their claims process.
• Notify the DVLA. Tell the DVLA the vehicle is reported stolen so they do not wrongly update keeper records later, and to note the vehicle status if an ATF tries to process it.
• Gather evidence. Collect any paperwork, messages, CCTV, photos, or witness details that show you did not authorise disposal.
• Check local scrapyards and ATFs. Give the police the names of any ATFs you suspect. An ATF must hold a Certificate of Destruction (CoD) for any vehicle they dismantle; police can investigate CoD records.
• Keep records of everything. Save the police crime number, insurer contact, DVLA communication, and any correspondence with scrapyards.

Reporting fast creates a paper trail and gives police, DVLA and insurers the best chance to stop or reverse an unauthorised disposal and to pursue whoever is responsible.

Can I scrap my deceased family member’s car?

Yes. But only people with legal authority over the estate can instruct the disposal. That usually means the executor named in the will, or an administrator appointed by the Probate Registry if there’s no will.

Here’s what you have to do:

1. Confirm who has authority. Get the executor’s written confirmation or a letter of administration from the Probate Registry if there is no will. If the estate is small and family members agree, a simple signed authorisation from the executor may be enough for the ATF.
2. Gather the documents. Provide the V5C logbook if you have it, a copy of the death certificate and the executor’s ID and proof of address. Bring a signed letter from the executor authorising you to arrange scrapping if you are acting on their behalf.
3. Contact an ATF. Use a licensed ATF so the vehicle is processed correctly and you receive a CoD. The ATF will tell you exactly which documents they need from you.
4. Notify the DVLA. If you have the V5C, use the yellow V5C/3 or the online service. If not, write to DVLA with the vehicle details, the date scrapped, the ATF name and address and enclose a copy of the death certificate and executor authorisation.
5. Close out practical matters. Keep the CoD and a copy of all paperwork for the estate. Tell the insurer you want to cancel the policy. Record the disposal in the estate accounts for probate.

If ownership is disputed, the estate is complex or you’re not quite sure who can act, contact a solicitor or the Probate Registry. It avoids delays and stops you from being held liable for an unauthorised disposal.