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

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.

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.

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.

To scrap your car legally, the three absolute musts are you must use an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF), ensure your logbook (V5 certificate) is completed correctly, and, if the vehicle’s to be destroyed, obtain a CoD (Certificate of Destruction).

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.

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.

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. 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.

Yes. Vehicle tax is no longer transferable from owner to owner – so, if you’re scrapping your car, we recommend that you get in touch with the DVLA soon after collection to reclaim any tax that may be owed.

ATF stands for ‘Authorised Treatment Facility’ - another name for a scrap yard, breaker’s yard or vehicle dismantler that meets with strict government guidelines relating to the handling processing of End of Live vehicles.