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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Can I scrap a car that’s not registered in the UK?

Yes, our network of scrap yards and dismantlers can handle vehicles that are not registered in the UK – but you’ll need to make sure you follow the process expected by the governing body in the country the car is from. 

Usually, you’ll be required to complete the registration document; completing it to indicate the car has been scrapped, before sending it back to the issuing authority. The scrap yard you deal with will be happy to issue a notification to say they have disposed of your car. In some countries, you are expected to return your number plates too – so it’s important to check you have everything you need to meet the appropriate requirements before the car is collected.

How can you tell if your car is registered in the UK?

If you’ve imported your car, you’ll usually have been through a detailed process to do so. There are strict laws that surround bringing cars into the UK. If you’ve imported a car, you would need to begin the official process by telling HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) that you’ve brought the car into the country. 

HMRC will decide whether you are required to pay VAT and duty on the car. When your business with HMRC is settled, you may then need to get the vehicle approved by the government’s Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) service. 

The next step involves registering the vehicle with the DVLA – and, when this is complete, it will result in the issue of a V5C log book – often called a ‘registration document’. This document will assign a registration mark to the car, so you can have official UK number plates made.

With such an in-depth process, it’s likely that you will be aware if your car is imported but is now considered a UK car. 

It’s worth noting that companies that commercially import vehicles have a slightly different process – so if you’ve bought an imported vehicle from a specialist supplier, they should have made it clear that the car has met the standards required by HMRC and the DVLA.

Scrapping a ‘temporary import’

The DVLA provides detailed rules about driving cars with foreign number plates without registering or taxing them in the UK. Generally, if you’re visiting and do not plan to live in the UK, you will be able to use the car for a total of 6 months on UK roads; as long as it’s taxed and registered in its home country.

If you have an accident in your car during this time – or you simply decide that you want to scrap it, our network of scrap yards will be able to help. We’ll do our very best to find you an outstanding price for your car – but you must be certain that you’re meeting the scrapping requirements of the governing body in the car’s country of origin.

Other related FAQs

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

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.

When a car is no longer roadworthy and needs to be scrapped, there’s probably a scrap dealer near you who will collect the car and pay you money for this. It’s easy to find a nearby scrapyard.

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.

No. It’s important that your car is free of rubbish and personal belongings - as our scrap partners are not equipped to deal with anything other than the 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.

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.

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.

End of Life Vehicle (ELV) is the term used to describe a car that is no longer suitable for use – either through wear and tear or damage. ELVs must be recycled at authorised treatment facilities.

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.