Each year in Britain there are around one million cars are disposed of. You may have determined that scrapping your vehicle is the most financially advantageous alternative. If so continue reading This is our complete guide on all you must be aware of about scrapping.
What you should be aware of regarding the rules
Scrapping your car is fairly easy. But, like all vehicle-related things there’s paperwork required.
There are strict laws in place that you have to comply with, and all are created to assist the scrapping industry work while decreasing the environmental harm caused by scrapping. Many car parts could be environmental hazard if they are not properly removed and it’s not surprising that there are laws in place.
The most significant law is that of whether or whether you’re selling your car on the internet:
There is an obligation in law your vehicle be removed from the scrap yard at the Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF).
ATF licenses are issued from either the Environmental Agency or the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and any company can show their ATF licence. It is possible to be charged for scrapping with a company that is not licensed.
What documentation is required to scrap my car?
There are some documents you’ll require for scrapping your car or to offer it for sale to a salvage buyer. It shouldn’t be a problem to put together, however they’re essential if you would like your vehicle to be recycled and scrapped through the Authorised Treatment Facility. These include:
V5C registration certificate (or logbook)
Owner’s manual and book pack
Service history, either in full or in part
It is the Certificate of Destruction
If an ATF decides to take your vehicle off the road, you’ll be issued an official certificate of Destruction (CoD). The certificate will be given within 7 days if you’re scrapping your car, small van or a three-wheeled motor vehicle. This is also an obligation of law.
The CoD is evidence that you have handed the vehicle to us and that you are not responsible anymore for it, nor for any tax responsibilities related to it.
Important: If you scrap any type of vehicle that isn’t listed above, you’ll not be eligible for the CoD. However the ATF will inform that the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) which will make the necessary changes to the vehicle’s records to reflect that it has been scrapped.
If you’ve scrapped a vehicle that is listed above it is your responsibility to notify your DVLA that you’ve brought the vehicle in for the ATF for scrapping, without keeping any of its components. If you don’t, it will result in a fine of $1,000!
V5C Registration for Vehicles
Even in cases where there is a situation where ATF or DVLA are the ones responsible for the registration of your vehicle that is to be removed from the road, you are legally required to sign part 9 of your V5C registration certificate for your vehicle and then send it to DVLA.
Once you’ve completed the procedure, you’ll get a response within 4 weeks, confirming the receipt. If you don’t get the response letter It is your obligation to follow-up, making sure that the records of your vehicle are up-to-date.
This proves without doubt that you were once the driver of your vehicle and that you’ve authorised the new owner to continue the sale.
It is important to remember that on certain instances, it is possible that the ATF decides to sell the vehicle instead then scrapping the vehicle. If this occurs the ATF will notify that you are the owner, and you’ll be required to fill out section 9 on your V5C (the “Notification of sale, or transfer section) and then submit it to DVLA.
Are you scrapping your car with no Logbook or V5C?
If you cannot find the V5C certificate for your car It isn’t mandatory to pay for the replacement. Legally, it’s possible to notify the DVLA by writing, stating:
Verify that the vehicle was sold to scrap
Relevant personal information
Information about the buyer
The date of sale
Its registration code, the make and model vehicle
Note about the insurance write-offs
When the option to sell your car off was taken by your insurance provider rather than you, then you’ll have to fill out the V5C/3 portion of the certification of registration (‘Selling or the transfer of your car to an insurer, motor trader or dismantler’) and send it with the DVLA. In some instances your insurance company might require you to submit other information on the certificate.
Be sure to keep that yellow paper slip once you have filled the form and receive an invoice from the ATF.
If your vehicle was declared a total loss There are four categories that your vehicle may fall within. The next step is dependent on the category in which your vehicle falls into:
Category A
The vehicle isn’t repairable and has to be destroyed as soon as it is discovered.
Category B
The vehicle cannot be fixed to roadworthy condition so the entire body needs to be destroyed right away. However, other components of the vehicle can be reused or salvaged, when possible.
Category S
This vehicle has been classified structurally damaged’ and has the possibility of being roadworthy and be used again when it is repaired in accordance with the law.
Category N
This vehicle can be classified not structurally damaged’, and can be again to be driven once it has been restored to roadworthy legal standards.
If you are looking to get an N or Category S vehicle, the insurance company will offer you an exact amount to pay and will then transfer the car back to you to fix.
In order for the insurance company to be in compliance, you must submit the complete log book of the vehicle to them. They will then request a duplicate log book by filling out the form V62.
Personalised Registrations
If you’ve been granted a personalized registration plate, you’ll have complete Form V317. For more details on the form go here. It is essential to complete this immediately, since failure to complete the form could cause you to lose your right to the personalized registration.
If the insurance company you have contracted with is responsible for scrapping your vehicle, you’ll have to notify them that you will not scrap it until the registration number is transferred officially. The insurance company should then issue an acknowledgement letter that states that they’re satisfied to keep or transfer the registration number. It is also recommended to obtain an engineer’s report which confirms the car’s specifics.
Utilizing your vehicle as a source of parts You can also SORN your vehicle
There’s a chance that your vehicle is equipped with certain components that you’d like to take away and keep. This is especially true for people who have spent money on to upgrade parts like the exhaust system or wheel rims. If you’re planning to take off elements of your vehicle prior to you dispose of it, you’ll have to create an Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) to inform authorities like the DVLA be aware that your vehicle has stopped being used. It will also prevent you from being required to pay insurance or tax on the vehicle.
The SORN will remain valid until you bring your car to an authorized ATF or notify your DVLA of the fact that you do not have ownership of it.
If you’d like to remove the registration number from the vehicle in order that you could use it for another vehicle, you have to apply to the DVLA to keep it until you want to make use of it again at some point in the near future. The cost for this service is PS80 and permits that the registered number be kept in the name of the registered keeper.
If the ATF will accept vehicles that are stripped in part and a lot of them do require you to submit the section 9 (‘Notification of transfer or sale’) of the V5C to the DVLA.
Tips for selling your car on the internet
There are other points to consider when you’re thinking of scrapping or selling your car on the internet:
You will need to present an acceptable ID and evidence of address
Accepting cash in exchange for scrap cars is against the law across England, Scotland and Wales
It is recommended to get multiple estimates and appraisals to know the value of your car’s scrap
It could be possible to request an amount back from your insurance provider for the remaining insurance coverage
ID is required
Since 2013, under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act, it’s been an obligation for customers from England as well as Wales to show evidence of identification when selling their car for scrap. The acceptable identification is a passport or driving licence with a photo and document of your address, such as an old utility bill.
Avoid cash payments
When you’re being offered money in exchange for your scrap or used vehicle Be cautious. It’s illegal to buy scrap cars for cash in England, Scotland or Wales. This law has been passed to limit the risk of theft of metal. Make sure that payments are made to you by corporate cheques or a bank transfer.
Do a value analysis of your property.
Get the most complete information you can regarding the condition the vehicle is, the degree of damage, and any particular issues that affect the roadworthiness of your vehicle. It is possible to be asked a lot of questions about the car by prospective buyers. Knowing information will allow you get the most competitive rates offered.
Find out if you can get an insurance reimbursement
Once your vehicle has been successfully scrapped and you’ve received your CoD in your hands It is recommended that you get in contact with the insurance company of your vehicle. You can cancel your insurance policy should you need to, and you could be eligible for an amount to cover the unused insurance.