What happens during car recycling?

First, the car is de-registered with the DVLA, and you’re issued a Certificate of Destruction. This officially removes your responsibility for the vehicle.
Then, the facility starts with depollution. That means safely draining and disposing of environmentally harmful fluids like engine oil, brake fluid, coolant, fuel and even air conditioning gases. They’ll also remove the battery, airbags, tyres and anything else that could be harmful or needs special handling.
Next, they strip the vehicle for reusable parts (engines, gearboxes, body panels, mirrors, etc.) These get sold on to garages, mechanics or exporters, and that’s where a lot of the car’s value comes from.
After that, the remaining shell is shredded and separated by material (steel, aluminium, plastics), and over 95% of the total car is either reused or recycled. The bits that can’t be recycled are disposed of safely.