Scrapping a car doesn’t have to be hard work! Our UK-wide network of scrap partners and specialist dismantlers means we make it easy to find the very best offers in the area.

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How do I get paid?

When your car is picked up, the collection driver will trigger your payment to be made by bank transfer. This means the money will be with you quickly – and the Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATF) we work alongside are following the strict law surrounding the payment for scrap vehicles. Generally, this will mean the payment will be the same day but may be up to 1 business day after collection.

Why are cash payments illegal?

In 2013, the government created the Scrap Metal Dealers Act to help make sure both the buyers and sellers of scrap metal are protected against any criminal activity. The act states that a dealer must not pay for scrap by any means other than a cheque or electronic transfer. All scrap vehicles are covered by this law.

To handle scrap vehicles, a scrap yard must meet ATF standards – and following the Scrap Metal Dealers Act is an important part of this. As long as they do, they will be able to legally scrap your vehicle – and produce the official paperwork to confirm this has been done. Without this paperwork, you could remain legally liable for the vehicle – so it’s important that you use a scrap yard that follows the law.

How can some scrap yards offer to pay cash?

It’s not uncommon to see traders offering to scrap your car for cash – especially on social media sites, classified advert services, and, in some cases, on signs at the side of the road. It’s important to understand that the businesses doing this are not scrap yards – as an approved scrap yard simply cannot pay for a scrap car with cash. 

Instead, these ‘businesses’ are usually individuals looking to make a quick profit from your scrap car. Since few people know the true value of a scrap car, traders will often simply make a cash offer for the car, before selling it on to an ATF for the fair price – or, in some cases, making some repairs and putting a potentially unsafe vehicle back on the road. 

Traders operating like this tread a thin line between staying legal and breaking the law – and, if you want to be certain that you’re getting the best price to scrap your car, it’s much safer to make sure you’re using an authorised treatment facility; like the scrap yards we work alongside.

There are many risks involved with selling your car to a trader who buys scrap for cash. Firstly, you will not be provided with the appropriate paperwork confirming the destruction of your car. Secondly, you may find yourself liable for offences relating to the car – even if you seem to have passed ownership on. To get the best price and service you can rely on to keep you safe, request an instant quote from our network of authorised scrap yards.

Why will I be paid after collection?

Payment is always arranged after collection to ensure the vehicle that’s being scrapped is both present and has been accurately described when the price was issued. 

While we have never quoted for a Rolls Royce and turned up to find a Mini; innocent mistakes do sometimes occur – especially around engine size and trim level. A quick inspection of the car before it’s removed means we can confidently offer the very best price for your vehicle.

Other related FAQs

Looking for more related content to this? We’ve picked a selection of related topics that you may find helpful

Yes – it’s important that you inform the DVLA when you scrap your car, as you could be liable for any on-going charges relating to it if you don’t. The quick and easy way to inform the DVLA is by completing and returning section 9 (or section 4 on post-April 2019 documents) of the V5C log book form.

No problem. A Certificate of Destruction (COD) can be issued to you when your car is scrapped, but you need to make us aware of this prior to collection.

It’s illegal to sell a car with outstanding finance, so before you scrap a car you need to have paid off the outstanding finance amount. Technically, a car with outstanding finance is the lender’s property, not yours.

The answer unfortunately is no. Once your MOT has expired you must get it renewed immediately. If you’re found to be driving without a valid MOT certificate, you could be fined up to £1,000.

You can get in touch with your insurance company and cancel your cover after your car has been collected. If you cancel your insurance before collection, you’ll be breaking the law if you drive the car on a public road. -

Don’t worry – our scrap partners aren’t concerned about the condition of your car. Whether your vehicle is roadworthy – or badly damaged and in need of disposal; we’ll help you maximise the price you receive.

It’s illegal to scrap someone’s car without their permission and take payment. The Scrap Dealers Act requires that individuals scrapping cars provide photo ID and proof of address and are never paid in cash, ensuring transactions can be easily traced.

Scrapping your car can be the solution when repair or running costs are greater than your vehicle’s value. If your car has been written off, deemed unsafe or no longer in use, these are all additional reasons to scrap it.

Yes, you can. Before your car is collected, you’ll need to ‘retain’ your registration with the DVLA; either online or through the post. Your registration will then be held on a retention certificate, ready to transfer to another car.

If you’re entitled to any unused road tax when you scrap your car, you should get in touch with the DVLA to reclaim it. Since tax discs were phased out, this can no longer be done at a post office – so you’ll need to contact the DVLA directly, either on the phone, by post, or using their website.