Question 1

Can I sell my damaged car to a junkyard?

Accepted Answer

You can indeed sell your damaged car to a junkyard. In fact, if the car isn’t worth fixing or selling privately, it’s the smartest move. Junkyards are set up to strip out usable parts, recycle what they can and scrap the rest. So even if your car’s a total non-runner or missing panels, it still has value to them.
But — and this is where we come in — you don’t need to waste time calling around trying to find one that’ll take it or give you a fair price. We already work with hundreds of licensed breakers and scrap yards across the UK. You just enter your reg and postcode, and we’ll show you who wants it and what they’ll pay. You choose the offer, they pick it up and you get paid

Question 2

How do I sell my damaged car near me?

Accepted Answer

Easiest way? Just enter your reg number and postcode on our site. We’ll show you real offers from scrap yards near you, right now. From there, arrange a pickup time, date and location, then our system coordinates the rest.
The price you get is based on your exact location and the type of vehicle you’ve got, so you’re not getting some generic lowball offer. It’s all location-based and tailored to what the yards in your area are actually paying right now.

Question 3

What’s the best place to sell a damaged car?

Accepted Answer

It depends on how badly the car’s damaged. If we’re talking light damage, like a dented bumper, cracked light or something that still drives fine, you’ll get more by selling it privately. But if you can’t get at least £1,000 for it in a reasonable amount of time, it’s not worth the time or hassle. Just scrap it and move on.
Now, when it comes to scrapping, people think they need to find the best scrap yard, but every Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF) has to follow the same environmental and processing standards. So “the best” really comes down to two things: who’s closest to you and who’s willing to pay the most.
That’s exactly what our system does. It compares real offers from local ATFs in your area, instantly, so you’re not wasting time ringing around or guessing. You see your options, pick one and get paid.

Question 4

Can I sell an accident damaged car?

Accepted Answer

Definitely. In fact, accident-damaged cars are the most common vehicles we help people sell. Whether it’s a write-off, has structural damage or just took a knock that’s not worth fixing, there’s still value in it and we can help you unlock that value without lifting a finger.
You don’t need to repair it first. You don’t need to trailer it anywhere. Just pop in your reg and postcode and we’ll show you exactly what local scrap yards are willing to pay. Even if it’s completely undriveable or missing panels, doors or wheels, we can still get it collected for free and get the payment sorted the same day.

Question 5

How much cash can I get for my damaged car?

Accepted Answer

That really depends on three main things: how you sell it, how bad the damage is, and what kind of car you’ve got.
If the car’s lightly damaged and still roadworthy, you’ll get anywhere from £2,000 to £15,000+ for the car, depending on the details (high-end vs low-end, new vs old, service history).
If the damage is more serious or it’s just not worth repairing, scrapping is the quicker, easier and often smarter move. Scrap value is based on weight, location and parts demand. A small hatchback might fetch £200 to £300, while a larger 4x4 or van could get you £400 to £600 or more, even if it’s totally undrivable.

Question 6

Can I sell my damaged car if it’s not drivable?

Accepted Answer

We deal with non-runners all the time: cars with engine failure, crash damage or ones that have just been sitting for too long. You don’t need to worry about moving it yourself. Once you accept an offer, we’ll arrange free collection from wherever it’s parked.

Question 7

Can I sell my damaged car today?

Accepted Answer

You can, but timing matters. If you want same-day collection, your best bet is to get your quote and book early in the morning. That gives you the best shot at grabbing a collection slot later that day.
If you leave it too late in the afternoon, most local yards have already filled their pickup runs. That said, if same-day doesn’t work out, we’ll usually have next-day options available

Question 8

How can I sell my damaged car without a V5C?

Accepted Answer

You can sell a car without a V5C logbook, but the DVLA strongly advises against buying one. The V5C is the proof you actually you’re actually legally responsible for the car. If you somehow do find a buyer, you’ll get much lower price if you don’t have it.
If you decide to sell your car without a V5C, you have to write the DVLA yourself to let them know you’ve sold the car. In that letter, include the reg number, make and model, date of sale, your name and address and the name and address of the buyer or scrap yard.
Just keep in mind you’re fully responsible for telling the DVLA in this case. Normally, when we handle the collection and the buyer has the V5C, they’ll take care of that for you. Without it, it’s extra admin on your part, and there’s always a bit more risk involved

Question 9

Is it legal to sell a flood-damaged car in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Yep, selling a flood-damaged car is completely legal as long as you’re honest about it. If you try to mask the damage or withhold that information, it constitutes misrepresentation and fraud.
Most flood-damaged cars fall under the Category N write-off classification. That means there’s no structural damage, just electrical or cosmetic issues. These cars can go back on the road without needing to be re-registered with the DVLA.

Question 10

Can I sell my broken car for parts?

Accepted Answer

You can sell your broken car for parts if it’s got high-value parts like a catalytic converter, alloys or a nearly-new engine or gearbox. Those can fetch decent money on their own.
But here’s the thing: unless you’re mechanically inclined and have the tools, space and time to strip it down yourself, it’s a lot of work. Plus, once you’ve removed the valuable stuff, the rest of the car becomes harder to sell and most scrap yards will offer you less because it’s incomplete.
If you don’t already have buyers lined up for the parts, you're better off scrapping the whole thing in one go and getting a guaranteed payout.

Question 11

Where can I sell my broken car quickly?

Accepted Answer

Car.co.uk is hands down the fastest way to get rid of a broken car. Just enter your reg and postcode, pick your preferred offer and we’ll sort out collection within 24-48 hours. Payment goes to your bank as soon as the car’s picked up.
Compare that to the private market, where it can take weeks to find a buyer (especially for non-runners), and you’ll probably still end up answering questions, arranging viewings, and frustrating yourself left and right with lowball offers.

Question 12

Is it worth selling a faulty car?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Even if the car’s faulty, there’s almost always someone willing to buy it for parts or scrap. Letting it sit around just means it’s taking up space. If it’s got minor faults, you might find a private buyer, but serious issues like a blown head gasket or gearbox failure? You’re better off scrapping it.

Question 13

Can I sell a car that’s been written off?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the write-off category.
If it's a Cat N (non-structural damage), you can sell the car as soon as you repair it. If it's Cat S (structural), it’ll need to be properly repaired and re-registered before it goes back on the road. If it’s Cat A or Cat B, you legally cannot do anything but scrap it.

Question 14

Do you buy Category S cars?

Accepted Answer

Yeah, we do. When you enter the car’s reg number, our system will instantly see it’s a 
Category S write-off and quote you the same exact way. Since it’s just for scrap metal, Cat S cars frequently fetch nearly the same amount as its clean-title counterpart would.

Question 15

Can I sell a crashed car without insurance?

Accepted Answer

No, you can’t legally sell a car in the UK if it’s not insured. Insurance needs to be in place right up until the point of sale or collection, even if it’s not being driven. Once the deal’s done and the car’s collected, then you can cancel the policy.

Question 16

What documents do I need to sell a damaged car?

Accepted Answer

You’ll need three main things: V5C logbook, some form of personal ID (like a driving licence or passport) and proof of address, such as a recent utility bill or bank statement.
These are standard requirements and help the buyer or scrap yard update the DVLA and complete the transaction properly. If you're missing the V5C, it’s still possible—but the process is longer and not every buyer will accept the car.

Question 17

Can I sell a damaged car privately?

Accepted Answer

You can, with a few extra nuances. Selling a damaged car privately means being completely transparent about the condition with potential buyers. Some buyers will be interested if it’s repairable or if they want it for parts.
Also keep in mind: if the car’s a write-off or not roadworthy, that limits your buyer pool even more. And legally, you’re on the hook for disclosing any known faults.

Question 18

How do I transfer ownership of a damaged car?

Accepted Answer

It depends who you’re selling to.
If you’re selling the car to a private individual, you’ll need to fill out Section 6 of the V5C logbook (the “new keeper” section), sign it and give the green slip (Section 10) to the buyer. Then you send the completed logbook to the DVLA or update the change of ownership online.
If you’re selling the car to a motor trader, you fill out Section 9 of the V5C (or Section 4 on newer logbooks), which covers sales to traders, dismantlers and insurers. You then send Section 4/9 to the DVLA online or notify them using the online service.

Question 19

Will I get more selling privately or to a buyer?

Accepted Answer

If your car’s lightly damaged and still runs, you’ll probably squeeze more out of a private sale, but you’ve got to factor in time, hassle and the risk of no-shows and hagglers. If the car’s heavily damaged or undrivable, you’re better off selling to a scrap or salvage buyer. Then, you get paid without all the back-and-forth.

Question 20

How do you value a damaged car?

Accepted Answer

We use live pricing info from local scrap yards. When you enter your reg and postcode, our system checks what they’re willing to pay based on the car’s age, model, engine size and whether it’s likely to be scrapped or salvaged for parts. You can then compare options and pick the best one.

Question 21

Do I need to tell the DVLA when I sell a damaged car?

Accepted Answer

Yes, not doing so can result in a £1,000 fine. Even after you’ve completed the transaction and the buyer fulfils their end of the bargain, you still have to carry out the notification using the online service or by post using the V5C logbook.

Question 22

Can I sell a non-running car in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Yes, definitely. We buy non-runners all the time. Whether it’s an engine failure, electrical fault or it’s just been sat unused for years, there’s always scrap value in it. Depending on the overall condition, you might even be able to sell it privately for more money.

Question 23

Is MOT required to sell a damaged car?

Accepted Answer

Nope. You can sell a damaged car without an MOT. In fact, cars that have failed their MOT are some of the most common ones we deal with. If you’re trying to sell it privately, no MOT will put some buyers off because they won’t be able to drive it right away. But if you’re scrapping, that doesn’t matter.

Sell your damaged car in 30 seconds

Scrap your damaged car in 4 simple steps

Instant online quote

Choose collection date & time

Free collection

On-the-spot payment

Join 130,000+ people who’ve sold with Car.co.uk

Our customers love us!

We’ve got local damaged car scrap depots across the UK.

Did you know we scrap ALL types of cars?

Helpful resources for selling a damaged car

What’s hot in the UK’s damaged car market?

Scrap car statistics across the UK

The scrap price we offer is the price we pay

Sell My Damaged Car FAQs