Not sure what to do if your car has failed its MOT or it doesn’t run anymore and it’s not worth repairing it? There are several steps involved in scrapping a car to ensure safe disposal and compliance with regulations. Here are some tips and resources for responsible ELV recycling (end-of-life vehicle recycling).
1) Prepare your vehicle
Remove all your belongings from the vehicle before disposing of it. Don’t forget to delete any personal information stored in the navigation system or on-board computer. If your car has a security system, deactivate it or pass on the necessary instructions to the recycling centre.
2) Find a certified car recycling centre
You should send your vehicle to an authorised treatment facility (ATF). You can easily identify a recycling centre that holds a valid ATF licence by using the Environment Agency’s scrapyard finder tool. You might also want to explore if your car’s manufacturer has a recycling scheme or a partnership with any ATFs, such as the one that Volkswagen has for commercial vehicles.
3) Contact the ATF
Call the ELV recycling centre to check their requirements and procedures. Depending on the value of your car’s materials, you may receive a payment for your vehicle. This varies based on factors like the make, model and condition.
Drive your car to the ATF or arrange for transportation if the facility offers a collection service. You’ll need to provide them with the V5C document to prove ownership of the vehicle (don’t forget to complete and sign the appropriate sections) and any other paperwork required.
4) Deregister your vehicle
After processing your vehicle, the recycling centre should issue you with a certificate of destruction (CoD). This confirms that your car has been properly scrapped and is no longer your legal responsibility.
It should be an automatic process, but if the CoD hasn’t been sent to the DVLA by the ATF, you should notify the DVLA yourself to officially deregister the vehicle.
5) Cancel your insurance
Contact your insurance provider to cancel your policy for the scrapped vehicle.
6) Store relevant documents
Keep copies of all relevant documents, including the CoD and any payment receipts, for your records.
Our ELV recycling service at the Hamptons Group is quick and hassle-free. Just get in touch and we’ll provide an instant quote based on the particular details of your car. If you’re happy to proceed, your car will be collected at a time and location that suits you. Our service also includes DVLA notification and a certificate of destruction. All we need from you is proof of address, photo ID and your car’s logbook.
Why not get the ball rolling today!