Guide
How to scrap my car?
You can scrap your car, also known as recycling your car, in exchange for cash if you think your car is at end of its life.
Words by: Nimisha Jain
Published on 6 May 2025 | 0 min read
How can I scrap my car?
If you want to scrap your car, you can do so at an authorised treatment facility (ATF), also referred to as a scrapyard or a breaker’s yard.
To scrap your car, start by contacting and getting a quote from a bunch of scrapyards near you, then compare their offers to get the best price. The scrapyards will ask for your car’s details such as the make, model and age for the quote. Once you’ve found a quote you’re happy with, arrange your car’s collection with them. Some scrapyards will collect your car free of charge, whereas some may charge a small fee. During collection, you will have to provide proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, and a photo ID such as your driving licence or passport to prove that the car is yours and it isn’t stolen. You’ll also have to handover the car’s V5C logbook if the car still has a valid MOT. Once your car reaches the scrapyard, the recycling engineers will remove parts that can be recycled, dispose any fluids and safely scrap the car. The scrap yard will pay you via a business cheque or an instant bank transfer after the car has been scrapped. It’s illegal to get a cash payment.
To scrap your car, start by contacting and getting a quote from a bunch of scrapyards near you, then compare their offers to get the best price. The scrapyards will ask for your car’s details such as the make, model and age for the quote. Once you’ve found a quote you’re happy with, arrange your car’s collection with them. Some scrapyards will collect your car free of charge, whereas some may charge a small fee. During collection, you will have to provide proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, and a photo ID such as your driving licence or passport to prove that the car is yours and it isn’t stolen. You’ll also have to handover the car’s V5C logbook if the car still has a valid MOT. Once your car reaches the scrapyard, the recycling engineers will remove parts that can be recycled, dispose any fluids and safely scrap the car. The scrap yard will pay you via a business cheque or an instant bank transfer after the car has been scrapped. It’s illegal to get a cash payment.
Should I scrap my car?
If you have a damaged car that can be fixed with a little TLC, you can try and sell it on Autotrader first. While such cars can take longer to sell, there are some buyers who are either looking for a project to work on or a car they can strip the parts of. Of course, while selling the car, you should be fully transparent about the condition of the car – this will help attract the right buyers and it’ll help avoid any issues with the buyer in the future. If you’re in a rush to get rid of the car, you could consider auctioning the car on Autotrader or checking the part exchange value of the car.
However, if you have a car that’s damaged beyond repair or doesn’t start, you may want to consider scrapping the car. If the car’s a non-starter, scrapping can help you get rid of what’s now practically ‘junk’ lying around the house, and help you make space for a new car. There are many environmental benefits to scrapping your car too. The recycled metal can be reshaped and reused for other purposes – this helps preserve natural resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from mining more metals.
However, if you have a car that’s damaged beyond repair or doesn’t start, you may want to consider scrapping the car. If the car’s a non-starter, scrapping can help you get rid of what’s now practically ‘junk’ lying around the house, and help you make space for a new car. There are many environmental benefits to scrapping your car too. The recycled metal can be reshaped and reused for other purposes – this helps preserve natural resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from mining more metals.
Do I need to notify the DVLA if I scrap my car?
You need to inform the DVLA you’ve scrapped your car so that they can update their records.
You can let the DVLA know online on Gov.uk or by post. To inform the DVLA online, fill the scrapyard facility’s name as the trader you’ve sold the car to. You’ll also need to provide your car’s registration number and the 11-digit reference number on your V5C logbook. To inform the DVLA by post, fill section 4 in the new-style logbook or section 9 If you have the old-style logbook and post it to the DVLA. In case, you don’t have your V5C logbook, you should write a letter explaining that you’ve transferred the car to the authorised scrapyard and include the facility’s name and address. You should also include your name and address, the car’s make, model and registration number, and the exact date of sale. Once posted, you should usually receive a confirmation email or letter within four weeks.
You can let the DVLA know online on Gov.uk or by post. To inform the DVLA online, fill the scrapyard facility’s name as the trader you’ve sold the car to. You’ll also need to provide your car’s registration number and the 11-digit reference number on your V5C logbook. To inform the DVLA by post, fill section 4 in the new-style logbook or section 9 If you have the old-style logbook and post it to the DVLA. In case, you don’t have your V5C logbook, you should write a letter explaining that you’ve transferred the car to the authorised scrapyard and include the facility’s name and address. You should also include your name and address, the car’s make, model and registration number, and the exact date of sale. Once posted, you should usually receive a confirmation email or letter within four weeks.
Can I scrap my car and retain my number plate?
If you want to keep a personalised number plate, you can do so by either transferring the number plate to another car or by keeping it for later use.
To keep the number plate, you should fill and submit a V317 form to the DVLA. If you want to transfer the plate to another car, fill sections 1-5 of the V317; or fill sections 1-4 to simply take off the number plate and retain it for future use. You can apply online or by post for a fee of £80. When applying by post, you’ll also need to send your V5C logbook or new keeper slip along with the V317 form and £80 fee.
To keep the number plate, you should fill and submit a V317 form to the DVLA. If you want to transfer the plate to another car, fill sections 1-5 of the V317; or fill sections 1-4 to simply take off the number plate and retain it for future use. You can apply online or by post for a fee of £80. When applying by post, you’ll also need to send your V5C logbook or new keeper slip along with the V317 form and £80 fee.
Can I remove parts of my car before I scrap it?
Most scrapyards will accept your car with missing parts, so if you want to remove any parts of the vehicle before you scrap the car, you should be okay to do so.
You’ll have to declare the car as SORN to the DVLA if you haven’t already, and the car will have to be off the road in a garage or on private land before you remove the car parts. Make sure you’re being careful when removing the parts so that you don’t injure yourself, damage the car parts or pollute the environment. It may be best to get a professional to help you if you don’t have much experience removing car parts. When you contact the scrapyard, you should mention the condition and any missing parts of the car as that will affect how much money you get for scrapping it. It’s best to honest up front as the scrap collector with thoroughly inspect the car during collection.
You’ll have to declare the car as SORN to the DVLA if you haven’t already, and the car will have to be off the road in a garage or on private land before you remove the car parts. Make sure you’re being careful when removing the parts so that you don’t injure yourself, damage the car parts or pollute the environment. It may be best to get a professional to help you if you don’t have much experience removing car parts. When you contact the scrapyard, you should mention the condition and any missing parts of the car as that will affect how much money you get for scrapping it. It’s best to honest up front as the scrap collector with thoroughly inspect the car during collection.
How much is scrap value for a car?
The value of the scrap car is calculated based on the weight of the scrap metal produced from the car, and the current value of scrap metal in the UK market.
The amount of scrap metal produced from your car will vary depending on the make and model of the car. If there are parts of the car that can be salvaged and reused, then that will also add value to the total money you get from scrapping the car. To get the most out of scrapping your car, you should shop around and get a quote from a couple of scrapyards before you commit to one.
The amount of scrap metal produced from your car will vary depending on the make and model of the car. If there are parts of the car that can be salvaged and reused, then that will also add value to the total money you get from scrapping the car. To get the most out of scrapping your car, you should shop around and get a quote from a couple of scrapyards before you commit to one.
How to scrap your car if it’s an insurance write-off
If your car gets damaged, your insurance company may write-off the car.
If the car’s written off as a category A or category B, it means that the car’s damaged beyond repair. In this case, the insurance company will pay you the current value of the car and they’ll be responsible for scrapping the car. If the car’s written off as a category N or category S, it means that the car can be repaired following non-structural damage or structural damage respectively. In this case, you either choose to take the payout and let the insurance company scrap the car, or you can take the payout and then buy the car back from the insurance company to keep hold of the vehicle.
If the car’s written off as a category A or category B, it means that the car’s damaged beyond repair. In this case, the insurance company will pay you the current value of the car and they’ll be responsible for scrapping the car. If the car’s written off as a category N or category S, it means that the car can be repaired following non-structural damage or structural damage respectively. In this case, you either choose to take the payout and let the insurance company scrap the car, or you can take the payout and then buy the car back from the insurance company to keep hold of the vehicle.
