How to Declare a Scrapped Car

So, you’ve finally made the decision to say goodbye to that troublesome motor, after constant stresses and non-stop problems. Now that the issues are behind you, and you have a handsome sum in your bank account courtesy of us here at National Scrap Car, you’d be forgiven for assuming that everything you needed to do is now done. However, there are still a couple of bits and pieces to square away before you can completely relax safe in the knowledge of a job well done – let us take you through what you need to know.

Can I keep my private number plate?

Some people pay hundreds, if not more, for their personalised number plates, so it’s understandable that they would be keen to keep a hold of them even if their car was destined for the scrap heap. If you are looking to keep your plate, though, you must remember to do this before you register to get your car scrapped, otherwise there’s nothing you can do but sit and watch as it’s put through the shredder. Read more on what to do before scrapping an old motor.

Where can I scrap my car?

Scrapping cars can only take place at Authorised Treatment Facilities, or ATFs. Taking your car to anywhere other than an ATF to be scrapped is against the law and could land you a hefty fine if everything isn’t done by the book. The easiest way to guarantee your car goes to the right place is to let us at National Scrap Car handle all the details. With ATFs on our network in all four corners of the country, we’ll even come and collect it for free.

What do I do with my car’s paperwork?

If you have had your car salvaged, aside from providing the keys and the V5C Registration Certificate, which are a requirement, you will receive a much better deal if you have been able to provide MOT and service history, the owner’s manual and receipts of work done to the car during its life. However, if you have had your car taken for scrap, you only need to have your V5C and keys. The ATF will need to be given the V5C before they can take the car, with you retaining the yellow “sell, transfer or part-exchange your vehicle to the motor trade” section.

Who do I have to declare a scrapped car to?

Once your car has been taken away by the ATF and reached the end of its life, you must then inform the DVLA that you have taken your car to be scrapped. To report this to the DVLA you will need the 11-digit reference number from the V5C, and once this has been reported you must destroy the logbook, unless it was taken by the ATF. Failure to inform the DVLA that you have had your car scrapped could result in you receiving a £1000 fine.

Do I have to declare a salvage car?

Declaring a salvage car is almost identical in process to that of declaring a scrap car, although before the process begins, if you plan to strip any of the parts yourself at home, you must let the DVLA know that your car will be off the road while you break it apart ahead of its final trip to the scrapyard. To do this is to request a Statutory Off-Road Notice, or SORN. During this process the car must be kept off the road, either in a garage, a driveway or on private land, otherwise you could be fined. From that point on the process is identical to that of scrapping.

Can I scrap cars registered abroad?

It is possible to scrap cars registered from outside of the UK. As with all cars being scrapped in the UK, the cars must be taken to an ATF, but your post-scrapping process will be slightly different to that when working with a car registered by the DVLA.

Once you have scrapped the motor, rather than contacting the DVLA to inform them, you will be given a Certificate of Destruction, which will then be used to inform the authority of the country in which the car was registered that it is no longer on the road. It is your responsibility to ensure that the correct driving authority is told the car has been scrapped.

Is your car beginning to get a bit long in the tooth? Have you been starting to think scrapping is the route for you, but aren’t quite sure how to go about it? Why not let us at National Scrap Car do all the hard work for you, while also ensuring you the best price, guaranteed? It’s a win-win situation. Get started today with our online quote generator and see how much your car could be worth