Dos and don’ts of getting rid of your old car

Tuesday, 14 May 2024

End-of-life vehicle waiting to be scrapped due to wear and tear

There comes a time in the life of any vehicle when it’s no longer safe or practical to use. What’s more, if you continue to drive an older car that’s not roadworthy, you could incur a hefty fine and some unnecessary points on your driving licence.

For thousands of drivers who have owned just a single vehicle for many years, they may have no idea how or when to get rid of a car. Nearly 1.5 million vehicles are scrapped in the UK each year, so it’s by no means a niche industry anymore.

So, if your vehicle is reaching the end of its life, fortunately there are many ways you can dispose of it responsibly. More importantly, there are numerous car scrapping pitfalls to avoid. Make sure you are aware of the things you should and shouldn’t do when disposing of an old car.

What to do with my old car: things you shouldn’t do

Don’t accept cash payments

It is illegal to take cash payment for scrap cars in England or Wales. Steer clear of anyone wishing to pay in cash. Payment has to be via cheque or electronic bank transfer.

Don’t take your car anywhere unlicenced to be scrapped

In order to legally dispose of your car, a scrap dealer has to be registered as an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF). ASM Auto Recycling is an ATF, which means we are licensed to dispose of old vehicles in a safe and sustainable way and abide by the Environment Agency’s ELV (End of Life Vehicles) guidelines.

Don’t forget the Certificate of Destruction (CoD)

Don’t forget to chase up your chosen ATF to receive the Certificate of Destruction (CoD). It should be delivered to you within seven working days after you have taken your car to be scrapped. If you don’t have a CoD then you are still legally responsible for the vehicle and any costs or fines associated with it.

What to do with my old car: things you should do

Do I need to notify the DVLA if I scrap my car?

You have to inform the DVLA that you’ve taken your vehicle to an ATF – providing you’re scrapping the car without keeping any of its parts. Failure to do so could result in a £1000 fine. Some ATFs, like ASM, do the paperwork for you. You should also apply to the DVLA if you wish to take the registration number from the end-of-life vehicle for use on another.

Do I need to SORN my car before I scrap it?

Yes. You should make the DVLA aware that the vehicle is off the road if you’re choosing to take parts from an end-of-life vehicle before scrapping it. The car must be kept off-road in a garage, on a drive or on private land.

Keep your personal details secure

Vehicle owners in England and Wales are required to demonstrate their photo ID and proof of address to any ATF, so ensure you’re sharing your personal information with a reputable firm.

Get your tax back

Make sure you reclaim any months remaining on your car tax using a V14 form. You should also get in contact with your car insurer and ask for a refund or the opportunity to credit an insurance policy for an alternative vehicle.

Removal of old cars is what we do

At ASM Auto Recycling, we’ll buy any vehicle in any condition. This means that even if it’s no longer roadworthy or has failed its MOT, we’ll pay you a fair price. Get an instant scrap valuation for your car, complete with a price guarantee. Providing your vehicle is correctly described, we’ll pay what we say to help you get rid of your old car.

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