How to scrap your own vehicle at an authorised treatment facility (ATF). This guide also explains the 3 steps for dealing with insurance write-offs.
SCRAP A CAR UK: You must use an authorised treatment facility when scrapping your car. Some drivers call ATFs the breakers, or scrapyard.
Is your car dangerous or no longer useful? Is it the end of the road?
As a responsible driver you must scrap your motor car if it is no longer roadworthy or repairable.
UK scrap vehicle disposal takes place at a breaker's yard or a scrapyard.
No matter which one you choose, it must be an authorised treatment facility. But, a different process takes place if you are scrapping a vehicle as an 'insurance write-off'.
The fine can be £1,000 for failing to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency your car is scrapped.
Before scrapping your car, you can remove any useful parts for repairing another one.
Use a local breaker's yard to scrap your own car. But, you should check they are a bona fide authorised treatment facility. After the scrapyard inspects your car they will decide whether to:
It is against the law to dispose of your vehicle elsewhere.
The ATF issues a Certificate of Destruction within a week of scrapping your vehicle. That can include:
Certificates are not given for other types of automobiles. The Certificate of Destruction is your proof that an ATF is scrapping your car. You are liable for road tax and traffic offences, fines or penalties, without this proof.
Payment for scrap vehicle disposal comes from the authorised treatment facility. As a rule, they pay by bank transfer or a cheque.
It is illegal to receive cash for scrapping your own motor car in England or Wales.
Authorised treatment facilities can choose to repair and sell your car. In this case, they will not issue a Certificate of Destruction. But, you might get a cash payment from the ATF if they repair and sell your vehicle.
What happens if you damage your vehicle and make an insurance claim? The insurance company will inform you:
There are two main reasons for writing off a motor car. Vehicles get written-off if the damage is beyond repair or if a repair would be too expensive. A write-off is not determined by the amount of damage, but the amount of restoration needed to fix it.
An Example: Your car has been 'keyed' along many panels. The paintwork is metallic or is a colour no longer available for 'touch-up' work. The cost for a repaint may be greater than the car's value. In this case your car is likely to become a write-off.
The insurance companies use four different categories for writing off a vehicle. The tabled list of vehicle write off categories determines what you must do next.
DVLA Write Off Categories Law
Write Off Categories | Is the Vehicle for Scrap Only or is it Repairable? | Vehicle Use on the Road and Salvage after a Write Off |
---|---|---|
Write Off Category A | Vehicle cannot get repaired | The entire vehicle must get crushed |
Write Off Category B | Vehicle cannot get repaired | The body shell must get crushed but you can salvage other parts from it |
Write Off Category C | Can get repaired, but it would cost more than the vehicle's worth | You can use the vehicle again if it gets repaired to a roadworthy condition |
Write Off Category D | Can get repaired and would cost less than the vehicle's worth, but other costs (e.g. transporting your vehicle) take it over the vehicle's value | You can use the vehicle again if it gets repaired to a roadworthy condition |
As a rule, your vehicle insurance company will handle the scrapping of your car. But, you should follow these 3 steps for a written off car:
The fine could be £1,000 for not informing DVLA of a scrapped car.
If your car ends up in write-off category C or D you should inform your insurance company if you want to keep it. They will arrange a payout and sell the car back to you. In this case you should follow these two steps.
DVLA Scrapping a Vehicle: Dealing with Scrapped and Written Off Vehicles in the United Kingdom