Scrapping your car might seem like a pretty straightforward process, but there are actually a number of steps you have to take before selling your car to an authorised treatment facility (ATF).
One of the most commonly-asked questions is whether or not you have to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) when you make the decision to scrap your car.
How to tell the DVLA that a car is scrapped
You must to tell the DVLA when you scrap your car or you may be fined £1,000. In fact, you have to tell the DVLA whenever you sell, transfer, buy, or scrap a car. The easiest way to tellthe DVLA that you're scrapping your car is through their website. All you need is your vehicle registration and the 11 digit reference number from your V5C log book.
What will happen if I don't tell the DVLA?
If you don't update the DVLA on the status of your car, you could be fined up to £1,000.
One of the DVLA's key responsibilities is to maintain an up-to-date database of all drivers and vehicles currently on the road in Great Britain. If your car has been scrapped, the DVLA need to know about it.
How to Scrap Your Car: A Step-by-Step Guide
1) Register your vehicle as off road.
If you want to hold on to your car for a period after you've stopped driving it but before you sell it to the scrap yard - for example, because you need some time to harvest the parts - then you must register your car as being off road. This is called a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification).
This step is only necessary if you plan on keeping your car without driving it for a period before selling it for scrap. Once you've submitted a SORN, you'll get a refund for any remaining road tax you've paid for the vehicle.
2) Apply to keep the registration.
This is another optional step. If you wish to keep your current registration (number plate) for your new car, you will need to register to keep it before you scrap your current vehicle.
3) Scrap your car.
Once you've completed the previous steps (if necessary), you're ready to sell your vehicle to a scrap dealer like A&L Vehicle Recycling, who will responsibly recycle your car. When you hand over your car, you'll also need to hand over the vehicle log book (V5C) - but you should keep the yellow 'sell, transfer, or part exchange' section from the log book.
4) Tell the DVLA that you've scrapped your car.
The fourth and final step of the scrapping process is to tell the DVLA that your car has been scrapped. If you're looking to report a car as scrapped, click the link below to navigate to the DVLA website.
Tell the DVLA >
This is the easiest way to let the DVLA know you've scrapped your car, but you can also do it by post. Simply fill out section 4 of your V5C vehicle log book (or section 9 if your V5 is from before April 2019) and post it to the DVLA at the following address:
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BA
If you have any questions or concerns about scrapping your car, reach out and contact the team here at A&L Vehicle Recycling. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Contact Us >
READ MORE: How Much Is a Scrap Car Worth?
