How to scrap a car
August 14, 2025 by Neil Briscoe
Looking to scrap your car? This guide breaks down everything you need to know.
It will often be a sad day when your car reaches the end of its serviceable life, and you’ll have to scrap it. Look through the sadness though, and you’ll see that your car’s parts can go on to help keep others like it on the road, and its very steel and aluminium can be recycled into shiny new cars. It’s a bit like organ donation.
But how do you scrap a car? Is there a right way and a wrong way to scrap a car? Can you make any money out of the scrap value of your car? This guide will walk you through all the steps you need to take to scrap your car safely and responsibly.
Remember, you can sell your car right here on Carwow. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.
Where can I scrap my car?
So, when your car is no longer usable and it’s time to scrap it, you do need to bring it to a proper, professional scrapyard. These days, they’re officially known as an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF). You see, your car is full of stuff – old oil, hydraulic fluid, brake components and so on – that could cause environmental harm if you just dumped it at the side of the road. So, it needs proper, professional end of life care and management to make sure that doesn’t happen, and that your car is correctly scrapped so that its recyclable parts and materials can be used again.
To find an ATF near you, just go to https://www.gov.uk/find-vehicle-scrapyard and pop your postcode in. You’ll then be given a list of approved ATFs near you.
How to scrap my car: step-by-step
1. Get quote from scrapyards
From the ATF list, pick the ones that are nearest and get in contact. Ask them about quotes for scrapping your car. Generally, an ATF won’t charge you for this, and there may be a level of value in both the parts and components in your car, and the scrap value of the metal itself, which will be paid to you by the ATF at the end of the process. That amount will vary from one car to another and one ATF to another, so that’s why it’s worth ringing around and finding the best quote.
In many cases, your car probably won’t be drivable at this point, so you will likely have to ask for the ATF to come to you and recover the car on a flat-bed truck.
2. Collect documents needed to scrap the car
As with any process to do with your car, there’s a chain of paperwork involved, so you will need to get some documents together. The main things you’ll need will be the car’s V5C logbook and proof of ownership form (the same one you bring with you for MOTs), your driver’s licence, and a proof of address such as a current utility bill. You’ll need to have your drivers’ licence and/or a passport to prove your identity and that you’re the registered keeper of the car.
At the end of the process, you’ll be given a Certificate of Destruction (CoD), which is proof that the car was correctly disposed of.
3. Take the car for scrapping
In some cases, your car will still be drivable to the ATF, so you can bring it there yourself – remember to organise for a taxi home, or for a friend to come and pick you up. In most cases, you’ll probably have to ask the ATF to collect the car from you, or arrange a vehicle recovery service to transport it for you.
4. Tell the DVLA you’ve scrapped your car
When you arrive at the ATF, you’ll need to fill in Section 9 of the V5C form and send that to the DVLA in Swansea. The staff at the ATF should be able to help you with that if need be. Once the DVLA has acknowledged that the car has been scrapped, you can claw back any outstanding road tax. You’ll also need to inform your insurer that the car has been scrapped, and either cancel your existing policy (which may also result in a partial refund) or transfer it over to your next car.
Should I scrap my car?
You should scrap your car, and do so in a responsible and legal manner, but really it’s a last resort action. You should only think about scrapping when the car has reached an age, or become damaged, to the point where it’s just no longer safe, nor economically viable to keep it going. Before you get to that point, you should, of course, consider part-exchanging your car, or selling it yourself. Carwow offers both of these services that you can consider if the car can be fixed with a little money.
When should I scrap my car?
It might be hard to know exactly when a car should be scrapped rather than sold, but there are a handful of telltale signs. Here are some examples:
Repairs cost more than the car is worth
If it costs more to repair your car than it would be worth in good shape, then it makes sense to scrap it if you see it purely as a cash asset. Of course, if there’s sentimental value to it and you’d rather pay over its worth to get it in good condition, then that’s completely understandable. You should also consider the cost to you of replacing your car and buying a new one – it’s also taxing and insuring a new car, the time spent organising paperwork and documents, and the potential costs of transport in between your old car going and your new car arriving.
It’s also worth remembering that the parts on your car can be valuable, and while the ATF can remove them for you (this is often a service you’ll have to pay for), you can also take out parts and components at home either to sell them on, or if you have or are buying another model of the same car and want to re-use the parts. This is all perfectly legal and fine. Just inform both the DVLA and the ATF that’s what you’re doing, and make sure to carefully manage and dispose of any liquid waste that’s involved.
You can also keep your number plate if you want to, and transfer it to another vehicle or sell it on, and again just inform the DVLA that’s what you want to do.
It’s been written off
If your car has been involved in an accident and your insurer has declared it a write off, then it is likely to make more economical sense to scrap it. If it’s declared a category A or B write off, then you’ll have no choice but to scrap it. These are for cars deemed beyond repair, and must not be used on the road again. A category S or N vehicle can be repaired and driven, but you may decide it’s more hassle or expense than it’s worth and scrap the vehicle anyway.
It’s not worth enough to sell
If you’ll get more money for your car as scrap metal than selling it as is, it seems something of a no-brainer if you want a quick quid.
It’s been stripped for parts
Perhaps an old car of yours has been stripped for parts to serve as a lifeline for others of its kind. If you’re then left with a shell or a mass of unsalvagable parts, then perhaps it’s time to send the remains off to their final resting place.
How long does it take to scrap a car?
The actual physical process at the ATF might only take a few hours, but it can involve a few day’s worth of work beforehand – gathering the paperwork, removing any parts you want to keep, etc. The final delivery of the Certificate of Destruction can take up to seven working days to be sent out to you, and if the car needs to be collected by the ATF, that can mean booking an appointment to do so, which might have a time-lag of a week or so.
Scrapping a car FAQs
How much will I get for scrapping my car?
How much you’ll get for the scrap value of your car varies wildly, with factors including the number of recyclable materials to metal values on the day. It’s worth chatting to the ATF before scrapping the car if you’re hoping for a more accurate estimate.
Can I scrap a car without the V5C logbook?
You can scrap the car without the V5C, but it may be tricky. Some ATFs may refuse if you don’t have this proof of ownership or other documents supporting your ownership of the car.
You’ll still be able to inform the DVLA without one, but you’ll need to do this by post.
Can I get a refund on my car insurance if I scrap it?
If you’ve scrapped your car, you’ll be able to claim a refund on your insurance premium if you have time left on your policy, or transfer the policy to another car. Each insurer will have its own ways of handling this, so it’s best to get in touch directly with them.
Does scrapping a car affect my insurance?
If you choose to scrap your car you will need to inform your insurance company – assuming they haven’t written it off themselves. And when your car is scrapped, your insurance policy effectively ends (only once you tell them) so you no longer have to pay. You might even get a refund if you’ve paid in advance, such as via one annual payment, for example.
How can I check if a car has been scrapped?
If a car has been properly scrapped, that will be recorded on the DVLA’s database, and you can check that list. Car history checks, such as Carwow’s own service, can help you with that and it only takes a few minutes.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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