Scrapping a car: the paperwork, step by step

Scrapping a car takes a few minutes of paperwork. Do it properly and the car stops being your responsibility on the day it is collected.

1. Use a proper scrapyard

A car has to be scrapped at an authorised treatment facility. That is a scrapyard licensed to remove the fluids and hazardous parts and recycle the rest. If someone collects the car for you, ask where it is going.

2. Have your ID ready

Anyone buying a vehicle for scrap has to check who you are, so expect to show photo ID. Have the V5C logbook too if you can find it.

3. Keep the yellow slip

Hand over the logbook, but keep the yellow slip for selling to the motor trade. It is section 4 on logbooks issued since April 2019 and section 9 on older ones.

4. Take your things, and your number plate if you want it

Empty the car. If it has a personalised registration you want to keep, apply to DVLA to take it off before the car goes. It costs £80 and cannot be done afterwards.

5. Get paid, but not in cash

It is against the law to pay cash for a scrap car in England and Wales. Expect a bank transfer or a cheque. Be wary of anyone who offers cash.

6. Tell DVLA

Tell DVLA online that the car has gone to a scrapyard. You get an email confirmation straight away. You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell them.

7. Wait for the certificate and the refund

The scrapyard issues a Certificate of Destruction, normally within 7 days. It is your proof that the car has been scrapped. DVLA refunds any full months of vehicle tax automatically. Remember to cancel your insurance as well.

We collect scrap cars free of charge across North London. See scrap my car for how it works.