Question 1

Can you sell a non-running car?

Accepted Answer

You can absolutely sell a car that doesn’t run. In fact, that’s exactly what we’re set up for. Our whole model is built around helping people like you get rid of vehicles that aren’t roadworthy anymore.
Even if it won’t start, move or has been sitting on your driveway for months, that’s not a problem at all. We’ll give you an instant quote online, and once you book, we’ll arrange free collection from wherever the vehicle is.

Question 2

How can I sell a non-running car in the UK?

Accepted Answer

The most common route is selling it for scrap or salvage, which is what we do. You enter your reg and postcode, get an instant quote, book a free collection and get paid when the car’s picked up. That’s by far the easiest way.
You could try selling it to a private buyer (maybe a mechanic or someone looking for a project). That sometimes works, but it takes more time. You’ll need to advertise it, deal with messages, arrange transport and be clear about the condition.
You could also sell it to a garage or breaker yourself, but you’d need to get the car there by arranging a tow.

Question 3

Where can you sell a non-running car?

Accepted Answer

Government-licensed ATFs (Authorised Treatment Facilities) are your best bet for legally getting rid of non-running cars. These licensed facilities strip out usable parts, recycle the metal and take care of DVLA paperwork.
You can list it on sites like Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace, but your buyer pool is limited because most regular buyers want something they can drive right away. That said, you might get interest from DIYers or mechanics.

Question 4

What’s the best place to sell a non-running car?

Accepted Answer

The best place to sell a non-running car is through a trusted service like ours that specialises in non-runners We work directly with licensed ATFs — the only kind of scrap yards legally allowed to handle end-of-life vehicles in the UK. That means your car gets picked up properly, de-registered with the DVLA and scrapped or salvaged in full compliance with UK law.

Question 5

Can I sell my non-running car for cash?

Accepted Answer

That depends on how you sell it.
If you’re doing a private deal with a friend or someone from Facebook Marketplace, you’re able to accept cash.
But if you’re selling it through a licensed Authorised Treatment Facility (which is what we use), then no, you can’t legally be paid in cash. The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 made it illegal for any licensed scrap dealer to pay in cash.
So with us, you’ll be paid via instant bank transfer the moment your car’s collected.

Question 6

Do I need to repair my car before selling?

Accepted Answer

If the car isn’t running or has mechanical or electrical issues, that’s totally fine. You don’t need to fix anything before selling it to us. We deal with non-runners, MOT failures, write-offs and even flood-damaged vehicles. You just describe the condition accurately, get your quote, and we’ll handle the rest.

Question 7

Will anyone buy a car that doesn’t start?

Accepted Answer

Yes, loads of buyers will buy a car that doesn’t start. In fact, cars that don’t start are exactly what a lot of scrap yards and breakers are looking for. They’re not planning to drive the car; they want it for the parts and materials.

Question 8

How much can I get for a non-running car?

Accepted Answer

How much you can get for a non-running car depends on two things: how you sell it, and what the car’s worth in the first place.
If you strip it and sell the parts yourself, you might squeeze out more cash in exchange for a ton of time and effort, and then you’ll still have a shell to deal with. Most people just want it gone, so they scrap the whole car in one go.
When you sell it through us, the price is based on what the breakers can salvage — things like the engine, catalytic converter, alloys and the weight of the metal. So higher-value cars tend to fetch more, even if they’re not running.

Question 9

Is it legal to sell a non-running car?

Accepted Answer

It’s totally legal to sell a non-running car as long as you do it the right way.
The key is to go through a licensed buyer, like an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF). That guarantees the vehicle is properly de-registered with the DVLA, scrapped properly and that you’re no longer legally responsible for it.
Where people get into trouble is when they sell to unlicensed buyers who don’t notify the DVLA, and then months later get hit with fines or enforcement letters for a car they thought was gone.

Question 10

Who buys non-running cars in the UK?

Accepted Answer

The main buyers are scrap yards and Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs), which is who we work with directly. These guys don’t care whether the car starts or not because a driveable car isn’t what they’re after. They’re buying it for the parts, metal and materials. Most of the time, the engine or gearbox is the first thing they’re pulling out anyway.
Then there are breakers and parts dealers who want specific components they can strip and resell. Things like catalytic converters, ECUs and alloy wheels. Again, the fact the car doesn’t move isn’t an issue for them at all.
You might also find a few DIY mechanics or project car buyers privately, but it’s a lot harder. You’d have to advertise, answer messages, arrange collection and hope they don’t flake. That’s why most people prefer using a service like ours.

Question 11

Can I sell my non-running car without an MOT?

Accepted Answer

The MOT status doesn’t matter to us or the buyers we work with. Remember, these cars are being collected and scrapped or dismantled for parts. They’re not going back on the road, so there’s no legal requirement for them to have a valid MOT.

Question 12

Can I sell my non-running car without a V5C logbook?

Accepted Answer

Technically, yes, it is possible to sell a non-runner without the V5C, but we advise against it.
The V5C is your proof of ownership and without it, the process becomes a bit messier. A lot of buyers will either refuse to take the car or offer you less for it because they have to go through extra admin to prove the car’s been scrapped properly.
Also, without that document, it’s much harder to protect yourself legally. If the DVLA doesn’t receive proper notification of the transfer, there’s a risk you could still be held liable for things like parking fines, SORN declarations and even insurance issues down the line.
So if you’ve lost the V5C, we’d recommend applying for a replacement using a V62 form. It costs £25 and takes a couple of weeks at most.

Question 13

What documents do I need to sell a non-running car?

Accepted Answer

The most important one is your V5C logbook. That’s your proof of ownership and the easiest way to make sure everything’s transferred correctly with the DVLA. It also speeds things up on our end, since buyers want to know the vehicle is legally yours to sell.
Besides the logbook, you will also need a valid form of ID (like a driving licence or passport) and proof of address (a recent utility bill or bank statement).
If you don’t have the V5C, you can still sell the car, but it’s more hassle. Not all buyers will accept it without one, and you’ll have to complete a bit of extra paperwork to make sure the DVLA knows the car’s been sold or scrapped.

Question 14

Can I sell a non-running car online?

Accepted Answer

Selling a non-running car online is the best and most accessible way to do it these days, and there are a few ways to go about it.
You could list it on Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree or eBay and try to sell it privately. The easier (and truly online) option is to use our platform. Just enter your reg and postcode, get an instant quote and we’ll handle the collection, paperwork and payment free of charge.
Best of all, it takes as little as 24 to 48 hours.

Question 15

How quickly can I sell my non-running car?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, we expect to have your non-runner gone within 24 to 48 hours. Sometimes even same day, depending on where you’re located and when you book. Because we’ve got a nationwide network of scrap yards and drivers, there’s almost always someone nearby who can collect your vehicle fast.
For the process to go as quickly as we say it can, we recommend getting the ball rolling earlier in the morning. That way, you can schedule your pickup for an afternoon or evening slot. If you wait too long, slots might fill up and same-day pickup won’t be an option anymore.
And of course, if you sell it privately, count on it taking a few weeks at least. You have to account for the time it takes to find buyers, negotiate and compare offers.

Question 16

Do I need to tow the car myself?

Accepted Answer

You don’t have to tow the car yourself. That’s one of the core benefits of using our online service. Our collection partners have access to our advanced tools and will notify you before collection happens, so everything runs as smoothly as possible.

Question 17

Do you offer free collection for non-runners?

Accepted Answer

We offer free collection for any vehicle, whether it’s a non-runner, a write-off or something that’s been SORN’d for years. And it’s not some third-party random guy either. Our drivers are fully vetted, professional and trained to handle non-runners safely and legally.

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