Question 1

What makes Car.co.uk different from other processors and scrapyards?

Accepted Answer

It comes down to our policies, valuation methods and proprietary logistics software.
We buy any car in any condition, even if it’s a non-starter, MOT failure or a complete dilapidated wreck. And rather than penalise you on price for your car being “scrap”, we reward you for additional higher-value criteria, such as having aluminum wheels and other components that increase its value.
And it’s not only the price we’re able to maximise through our green car parts recycling and specialist knowledge of high-value components, but also our logistics software which is the very best in the scrap car recycling industry.
Because of this, we’re loved by our scrap and breaker partners and highly rated (4.9 on Trustpilot) by those who choose to sell their cars with us. It’s by far the best way to scrap your car quickly and without risk.

Question 2

What documents do I need to scrap my car?

Accepted Answer

To scrap your car, you’ll need your V5C logbook. This is what proves you’re the registered keeper of the car (and therefore have the legal right to scrap it). You’ll also need to show proof of ID (like a driving licence or passport) and something to confirm your address (like a utility bill).

Question 3

Can I scrap a car that’s been written off by my insurer?

Accepted Answer

If your car’s been written off by your insurer, you can absolutely scrap it through us. What matters is whether you still legally own the car. If your insurer has paid out and taken ownership, then it’s their responsibility, not yours. But if they’ve written it off and left it with you, you’re free to scrap it and pocket the payment.
In fact, sometimes you’re legally obliged to scrap a car once it’s been written off. If it’s a Category A or B write-off, you legally cannot repair it and bring it back to the road.

Question 4

Will scrapping my car affect my no-claims bonus?

Accepted Answer

Scrapping your car on its own doesn’t affect your no-claims bonus. If you’re just getting rid of the vehicle, say it failed its MOT or isn’t worth repairing, you’re not making a claim on your insurance. You’re just choosing to scrap it, and that has nothing to do with your no-claims.
Now, if your car was written off and you made an insurance claim, that’s a different story. In that case, it can impact your no-claims bonus, depending on your policy.
If you’ve got protected no-claims, you might be fine because you can make a certain number of claims within a certain timeframe while retaining your bonus. If not, it could be reduced or reset depending on how the insurer treats the accident.

Question 5

What happens to my car after it’s scrapped?

Accepted Answer

First, it goes to an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF). These are the only yards legally allowed to scrap vehicles in the UK, and they’re required to follow strict environmental rules when doing so to guarantee it’s all done properly and safely.
Once the car makes it to the ATF, it’s de-polluted first. That means the oil, fuel, coolant, brake fluid and other fluids are drained and disposed of. Then they strip out engines, gearboxes, wheels, batteries, catalytic converters and other reusable or valuable parts. Those can be sold on or recycled.
After that, the shell of the car is crushed and recycled as scrap metal. By the end of the process, we’re able guarantee that at least 95% of your vehicle’s mass will be recycled.
You’ll also get a Certificate of Destruction once the car’s fully scrapped. This is the official DVLA confirmation that the vehicle no longer exists and isn’t your responsibility anymore.

Question 6

Is it safe to scrap my car online?

Accepted Answer

Scrapping your car online with us is actually safer than doing it the old-school way.
For one, you know you’re dealing directly with licensed ATFs, so there’s nothing to worry about from a legal standpoint. .
Plus, everything’s tracked through our platform from the quote to the collection to the final DVLA paperwork. There’s no room for error. You don’t have to post anything or figure it out yourself. We manage it all, and you stay fully in the loop the whole time.

Question 7

Can I choose which scrapyard my car goes to?

Accepted Answer

We give you multiple quotes from licensed scrapyards in your area, so you can compare and pick the one that works best for you, whether that’s the highest offer or the fastest collection.
That said, how many options you get depends on where you’re based. If you're in Central London, for example, you’ll likely see more quotes because there are loads of ATFs nearby. But if you’re in a more rural area, the number of options will normally be a bit more limited.

Question 8

How is the scrap value of my car calculated?

Accepted Answer

Instead of a flat tonnage rate like most yards offer, we’re uniquely positioned to bring you higher, more data-driven quotes that reflect actual market demand.
Our platform uses a smart algorithm that doesn’t just look at your car as dead weight. It also assesses the potential value of the car’s parts; things like the engine, wheels, electronics and even specific components buyers are actively looking for.
We also reference your number plates to see if there's any additional value in your registration. You’d be surprised how many people send their cars for scrap with high-value registration combinations attached. For example, L454 GNE (which looks like "lasagne") would be worth about £15,000, yet becomes worthless when you scrap your car with it.
We get you more value by plugging into a wider value chain through our sister sites: Garage.co.uk, where garages are often looking for usable parts, and Trader.co.uk, our trading platform where motor traders and dismantlers bid on vehicles. This network means your car is priced for its real potential, as opposed to just scrap.

Question 9

Do I need to SORN my vehicle before scrapping?

Accepted Answer

No, you don’t need to SORN your vehicle before scrapping it, so long as you’re scrapping the entire vehicle. Once we collect your car and it’s scrapped by one of our licensed ATFs, we notify the DVLA for you. That includes deregistering the vehicle and issuing a Certificate of Destruction.
The only time you’re required to SORN the vehicle is if you’re parting the car out yourself. Then, you’d put the off-road notification on the car, sell the parts you want to sell and finally tell the DVLA once you’ve scrapped the rest.

Question 10

Can I scrap a car that’s still on finance?

Accepted Answer

The short answer: no, you can’t scrap a car that’s still on finance.
With most types of car finance, including hire purchase, PCP and lease agreements, you don’t legally own the vehicle until the finance is fully paid off. That means you cannot legally sell it or scrap it because it still belongs to the finance company.
There’s one small exception: if you took out a personal loan that wasn’t tied directly to the car (so not secured against the vehicle), then technically you own the car. In that case, you could scrap it. But that’s pretty rare, and you’d still be responsible for repaying the loan regardless of what happens to the vehicle.
If you do want to sell or scrap your car, the first step is to contact your finance provider and ask for a settlement figure. Just be aware that if you’re still early into a long-term contract, there’ll probably be additional fees or interest charges for settling early.

Question 11

Can I scrap a car that’s failed its MOT?

Accepted Answer

If your car’s failed its MOT, you can still scrap it with us. In fact, we scrap MOT failures every single day.
Whether it’s got a long list of issues, is no longer roadworthy, or just isn’t worth the cost of repairs, we’ll take it off your hands and get you paid. And because collection is completely free, you don’t need to worry about driving an unroadworthy vehicle or arranging transport.

Question 12

What if my logbook (V5C) is missing?

Accepted Answer

The DVLA have no problem with drivers scrapping their vehicles without a V5C logbook, but honestly, we don’t recommend doing so unless you absolutely have to.
You’re better off applying for a new V5C. It’s super easy — you do it online, it costs £25 and it shows up within 5 working days. Once you’ve got it, the whole scrappage process is smooth, quick and more secure for everyone involved, including you
If you choose to scrap your car without a V5C, it becomes your responsibility to manually inform the DVLA of the sale and make sure they update their records correctly. That means writing a proper letter with all the information and posting it, which is a lot more of a hassle.

Question 13

Do you provide a Certificate of Destruction (CoD)?

Accepted Answer

If your car is being scrapped and destroyed through our service, you will be issued a Certificate of Destruction (CoD).
Once your vehicle reaches one of our licensed ATFs and is officially scrapped, the ATF notifies the DVLA and generates the CoD. You’ll usually get the certificate within a few days of the car being processed.
Now just to be clear: You only get a CoD if the car is actually scrapped. If the car is being salvaged for parts or repaired and sold on, you won’t get a CoD because in that case, the vehicle isn’t being destroyed.

Question 14

Is there a fee for last-minute cancellations?

Accepted Answer

Since we offer free pickups to begin with, there’s no fee for last-minute cancellations. All we ask is that you give us a heads-up as soon as you can, so we’re not sending a driver out unnecessarily or booking a spot that someone else could’ve taken.

Question 15

Will the collection driver help me with paperwork?

Accepted Answer

All our collection drivers are fully vetted and approved, so you can expect a professional and secure handover from start to finish.
When they arrive, they’ll help you fill out the correct section of the logbook (Section 9 on older V5Cs or Section 4 on newer versions) and then let you know exactly what needs to be sent to the DVLA.
If you don’t have the V5C, they’ll explain the alternative process and make sure you still have all the info you need to notify the DVLA properly.

Question 16

Can I scrap a campervan or motorhome?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can scrap a campervan or motorhome. But most ATFs won’t go for them.
Campervans and motorhomes often contain non-automotive materials like furniture, gas canisters, water tanks, insulation and electrical fittings, which means there’s more waste and extra steps involved in processing them properly. Not all scrap yards are equipped for that, so they need to go to a facility that can handle large or complex vehicles.

Question 17

Can I scrap my car on behalf of someone else?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can scrap a car on behalf of someone else, but you’ll need to prove you’re authorised to do so. If the car belonged to a friend, relative or someone else, we’ll need some legal evidence that you’ve got permission to scrap it.
That usually means (a) a signed letter from the registered keeper giving you consent, (b) a copy of their photo ID and (c) proof of your own ID and address. If the registered owner has passed away, things are slightly different. You’ll need to show proof of executorship or a grant of probate to confirm you have the legal right to dispose of the vehicle on their behalf.

Question 18

Will I be charged if I’m not home at the time of collection?

Accepted Answer

If the driver arrives and can’t access the car, or no one answers and we haven’t been told in advance, you will need to reschedule. However, there isn’t a fee for doing so since the collection is free to begin with.

Question 19

Can I delay the collection date if needed?

Accepted Answer

You certainly can delay the collection date if needed. Just give us a bit of notice via our online system and we’re happy to send someone for your pickup at a day and time that suits you better.

Question 20

Do you scrap non-UK registered vehicles permanently imported here?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we do scrap non-UK registered vehicles that have been permanently imported, but there are a few extra steps involved. Before scrapping it at an ATF, it has to be formally imported and registered with the DVLA. You also have to tax it.

Question 21

Do you work with authorised scrap dealers (ATF-licensed)?

Accepted Answer

We work exclusively with ATF-licensed (Authorised Treatment Facility) scrap dealers. That’s non-negotiable.
Every scrapyard we partner with is fully approved by the Environment Agency and DVLA. This means they follow strict legal and environmental standards when processing vehicles, including safe disposal of fluids, proper recycling and issuing Certificates of Destruction where applicable.

Question 22

Why should I choose Car.co.uk over other scrap car companies?

Accepted Answer

Car.co.uk collects more cars nationally than any other platform and operates the largest national network of collection partner vehicles in the UK. This means we can offer you more flexibility with collection dates and times, better prices through our extensive network, and superior customer service. Our dedicated driver app ensures you always know when we’re arriving, and our 40 years of industry expertise means you’re dealing with true professionals who understand the car recycling business inside and out.

Question 23

How quickly can you collect my car?

Accepted Answer

Thanks to our largest national collection network, we can often arrange same-day collection, and we always offer next-day collection anywhere in the UK. You can choose from a broad range of collection dates and times that suit your schedule - from immediate collection to planning several days ahead. Our extensive network of collection partner vehicles means we have more flexibility than any other platform.

Question 24

How will I know when the driver is coming to collect my car?

Accepted Answer

Car.co.uk operates the most advanced collection system in the industry. We use a dedicated driver app, similar to the systems used by DPD and Amazon, which provides real-time tracking and notifications. On the day of collection, you’ll receive updates about where our driver is and exactly when they’ll arrive at your location. This means no more waiting around all day - you’ll know precisely when to expect us.

Question 25

How and when do I get paid for my scrap car?

Accepted Answer

We offer instant and secure payment. In most cases, the payment is transferred directly to your bank account on the day of collection, often before the driver has even left your premises. 95% of all payments are processed on the day of collection. We do not charge any fees for fast payments - the price you’re quoted is exactly what you’ll receive.

Question 26

What if my car has a private number plate?

Accepted Answer

We take the extra step of checking if your registration mark has any value through our partnership with Newreg.co.uk. Over the years, we’ve been surprised to find that people regularly send their cars for scrap with high value registration combinations attached. For example, L454 GNE which looks like “lasagne” would be worth about £15,000, yet becomes valueless when scrapped on a car. If your plate has value, we will inform you and help you with the process of retaining it before the car is scrapped. This ensures that you don’t unknowingly destroy a valuable asset. The remainder of your car’s value is worth exactly the same as it would be prior to removing any valuable number plate, so you’re maximising your total return without any downside.

Scrap my car for the best price

Scrap your car in 4 simple steps

Instant online quote

Choose collection date & time

Free collection

On-the-spot payment

We can offer you more than just scrap value.

Our customers love us!

From quote to collection, it’s completely hands-off.

Related scrap car guides

Did you know we scrap ANY kind of car?

The price we offer is the price we pay.

Scrap car trends across the UK

Scrap car statistics across the UK

Can we help?

Scrap my car FAQs