Scrapping is a practical way to get rid of your unwanted vehicle. Instead of giving your old car to any interested party, this option allows you to make instant money out of your rubbish. Selling your scrap car is also a rewarding opportunity to free up some space and protect the environment from pollutants still in the vehicle.
However, before you start looking for places that buy scrap cars for recycling, there is a proper procedure you need to observe to do it legally. Do the following to scrap your old vehicle right:
Check Roadworthiness of Your Vehicle
First of all, understand what constitutes scrap vehicles. Roadworthy cars are not entirely sold for scrap because they still have salvageable components. If your vehicle’s functional parts are chopped up for sale, the buyer might not be subject to the Scrap Metal Dealers Act of 1964.
Scrap vehicles, on the other hand, are no longer roadworthy and will be dismantled for recycling. The dealer will put the metals acquired from your scrap vehicle on the market to be repurposed and produce new goods.
Ask for a Licence
You cannot take your scrap vehicle to any yard that will accept it. The government requires you to look for an authorised treatment facility (ATF) with a licence issued by the Environment Agency or Scottish Environment Protection Agency. ATFs are highly regulated to ensure that they dispose of pollutants, such as gearbox oil and battery acid, and recycle scrap metal in an eco-friendly way. You have the option to keep parts that are still in good repair. You can use salvageable components to fix other vehicles.
Notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
Whether you wish to keep functional parts from your old car or not, you need to let the DVLA know about it. Give the ATF the vehicle log book, which is called the V5C, but take the yellow slip from it with you. Then, the scrapyard should give you a “Certificate of Destruction”. This document is proof that you will no longer be responsible for the car starting from the date of issue. Unless you agree that the vehicle can be sold for reuse, you should ask for a receipt, too.
Afterwards, tell the DVLA that you have taken your scrap vehicle to an ATF. Even if you have proper documentation, you might be fined £1,000 if you forget to advise the agency about the sale.
Refuse to Accept Cash
No matter how convenient the offer might be, never accept cash for your scrap vehicle. Since 2013, it is against the law to trade scrap metal through untraceable transactions. Aside from money, you also cannot accept any foreign currency, virtual currency, gift card, electronic voucher, or postal order as payment.
However, this rule does not apply to the sale of salvageable vehicle parts. You can accept cash when selling unwanted but functional automobile components. Proceed with caution, though, to make sure that you will deal with a reputable buyer.
Taking your scrap vehicle to an ATF benefits not only you and the environment but also the economy. Scrap metal is a multi-billion-pound industry that creates local jobs and reduces the demand for metal exports, which is good news for British citizens.
