How to get rid of a car in 2025
When you think of recycling, it’s likely you think of household waste – small, easy-to-dispose-of items which you simply need to put in the right bin. But what about car recycling? What happens to vehicles when they’re no longer useful? If your once-trusty motor is no longer roadworthy, you may have no choice but to send it to the scrapyard.
In this guide, we look at reuse and recycling when it comes to responsible car disposal. Read on to find out how to dispose of a car.
When you think of recycling, it’s likely you think of household waste – small, easy-to-dispose-of items which you simply need to put in the right bin. But what about car recycling? What happens to vehicles when they’re no longer useful? If your once-trusty motor is no longer roadworthy, you may have no choice but to send it to the scrapyard.
In this guide, we look at reuse and recycling when it comes to responsible car disposal. Read on to find out how to dispose of a car.
How do I get rid of a car?
If you're looking to get rid of a car, you have a couple of options, each with its own pros and cons:
Sell it
Some businesses will buy vehicles in any condition, whether they’re roadworthy or not. These services typically offer a hassle-free way to sell your car quickly, and many provide free collection. While you may not get the highest price, it’s a convenient option for getting rid of a vehicle.
Scrap it
If your car’s no longer roadworthy, scrapping it might be the best option. Taking it to an Authorised Treatment Facility ensures environmentally friendly car recycling, and you might receive some money for the scrap value.
Do I need to scrap my old car?
When a car gets to a certain age and mileage, there are a few reasons why you might be better off scrapping it rather than trying to sell it, such as:
- The repair costs are more than the car is worth
- The car repeatedly fails its MOT
- It’s unsafe to drive – even if it were to pass its MOT, there are likely to be other problems that creep up before the next one’s due
- It has a rust problem – if your car has bad rust it will be almost impossible to sell it
- It’s been badly damaged in an accident and the cost of getting it back on the road are too high
- It’s been declared an insurance write-off.
A car which is in a condition to be scrapped is known as an end-of-life vehicle (ELV), which means it’s ready for car dismantling and recycling.
How do I scrap my car?
Disposing of an old car no longer means taking cash-in-hand from a random dealer. Laws have been introduced over the past few years to ensure that old cars are disposed of responsibly. There are typically four steps you’ll need to follow:
1. Find an Authorised Treatment Facility
If you decide to scrap your car, it must be taken to an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF), sometimes referred to as a scrapyard or breakers’ yard. These sites are approved by the government’s Environment Agency. An ATF will make sure the vehicle is disposed of responsibly and safely, draining all toxic fluids before dismantling the car. It’s illegal to scrap your car anywhere else, and illegal scrapping could result in fines and prosecution.
If you’re in England, you can find the nearest ATF to you on the GOV.UK website. There are different services available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. ATFs usually offer to collect your car for free, but you can drop the car off directly if you prefer.
2. Get a Certificate of Destruction (CoD)
When you take your car to be scrapped, the ATF will give you a Certificate of Destruction (CoD). This is proof that your car has been handed over to be scrapped and can never be driven again. If you don’t have a CoD you could still be liable for Vehicle Excise Duty (VED, aka road tax) and any penalties if the vehicle is involved in a traffic offence.
The ATF must tell you if they decide to repair the car instead of scrapping it. If this is the case, you won’t need a CoD.
3. Tell the DVLA
You’ll need to tell the DVLA that you’ve taken your car to an ATF. If you don’t, you could be fined £1,000. You’ll need to give the ATF your V5C vehicle logbook and keep the yellow ‘sell, transfer or part-exchange’ section. Use the ATF’s name as the trader you sold your car to, even if you didn’t get any money for scrapping it.
4. Reclaim any remaining tax or car insurance
Once you have the CoD and have told the DVLA that your car’s been scrapped, they’ll refund any road tax (VED) left on your car. You should also contact your car insurance provider to see if they’ll give you a refund on any remaining insurance. Or you might be able to use it as credit towards another insurance policy if you’re buying a new car.
How do I scrap a car that’s an insurance write-off?
The process for scrapping and recycling a car that has been declared an insurance write-off is slightly different. Typically, your insurance provider will deal with getting the vehicle scrapped.
You just need to send the V5C logbook to your insurance company, but keep the yellow ‘sell, transfer or part-exchange your vehicle to the motor trade’ section and notify the DVLA.
Can I keep my registration?
If you have a private registration that you want to transfer to a new car or keep for the future, you can apply to do so via GOV.UK or by post. It costs £80 and you’ll need your V5C vehicle logbook.
Will I have to pay to scrap my car?
ATFs don’t typically charge for disposing of your car and will usually offer to pay you for its scrap value.
If you’re a dab hand with a spanner and have the time and space, you might decide to take essential parts from the old car before scrapping it. In this case, the ATF may charge a fee, as there will be less value for them in a half-stripped car.
Just remember, if you’re planning on taking parts from your car before you scrap it, you’ll need to declare it SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) and take it off the road while you’re working on it.
How much will I get to scrap my car?
According to CarTakeBack, the average value of a scrap car is £223.
The price you’ll be offered can depend on your car’s make, model and age. Weight is important too, as you’ll be paid for its worth of recycled metals per tonne and the value of its parts. The price you get will also depend on the current market for scrap metal.
How far the scrap dealer has to travel to pick up your car will also be factored into your final payment, so you might get more if you choose a local ATF.
Under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, it’s against the law to pay cash for scrap cars in England and Wales. You can only accept payment via bank transfer or cheque.
If you want to get the best price for your scrap car, it might be worth doing a little online research to find out how much it’s worth.
How long does it take to scrap a car?
The process of scrapping a car can be relatively quick, often taking just a few days from start to finish. Once you've decided to scrap your car, contacting an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF) is the first step. Many ATFs offer free collection services, which can be arranged within a day or two.
After the car is collected, the ATF will handle the depollution and dismantling process, which is usually completed within a few days. You will receive a Certificate of Destruction (CoD) shortly after, finalising the process.
What documents do you need to scrap a car?
When scrapping your car, you’ll need to provide the following documents:
- V5C Vehicle logbook: This is essential for proving ownership of the vehicle. You'll need to hand this over to the ATF, but remember to keep the yellow ‘sell, transfer or part-exchange’ section for your records.
- ID: Some ATFs may require a form of identification, such as a driving licence or passport.
- Certificate of Destruction (CoD): Once your car is scrapped, the ATF will issue this document, confirming that your car has been disposed of properly. Keep this for your records.
Can I scrap my car without keys?
Yes, you can scrap your car without keys, but it may complicate the process slightly.
Most ATFs will still accept a car without keys, although it might affect the ease of collection. It may also affect the price you’re offered or even incur additional costs. This is because additional steps may be needed to prove you’re the car’s owner. This is why the vehicle logbook is an important document to provide.
It's important to tell the ATF in advance if you don't have the keys, as they may need to make special arrangements for collection.
What should you remove from your car?
Whether you're scrapping your car or selling it, there are a few things you should remove before getting rid of your vehicle. They include:
- Personal belongings: Thoroughly check the interior, boot and any compartments for personal items. This includes clothing, electronics and any other belongings that may have been kept there over time.
- Important documents: Remove all important documents, such as your insurance papers, registration documents and any service or repair records. These may be needed for future reference.
- Valuable accessories: If you’ve added any accessories to your car, such as a GPS system, custom stereo or roof racks, consider removing them if they can be reused or sold separately.
- Number plates: If you have personalised number plates, you’ll want to retain these for future use. You can apply to keep your registration number through the DVLA.
- Spare tyre and tools: These can be useful for your next vehicle or sold separately if they’re in good condition.
Why are cars recycled?
Landfill sites are a significant source of pollution. Many waste materials take a long time to break down, if they ever do, and can release greenhouse gases and toxic substances that can become hazardous for humans and the environment.
The most recent data from the UK Government shows that waste generated from commercial and industrial activities in England has remained relatively consistent in the past few years. It’s estimated that in 2020, England generated 33.7 million tonnes and 33.6 million tonnes in 2022.
Reusing and recycling car parts and materials help to stop these items from being disposed of in landfill sites, so reducing pollution and preventing the release of potentially harmful materials.
Often, a car which is no longer fit for purpose may still have parts which can function properly, whether that’s wheels, panels, the radio or even the engine itself. Not only does this benefit the environment, but it’s also helpful for consumers, who are able to pay less for second-hand parts that still work perfectly.
What happens when a car is scrapped?
The target for end-of-life vehicles is 95% recovery and 85% recycling by average weight of each ELV. Parts of a car that can be recycled include the metal body, fabric from interior seats, plastic from the dashboard, tyres, batteries and even engine oil.
How is a scrapped car recycled?
This is what happens if your car is scrapped at an ATF:
- All hazardous fluids, such as fuel, oil and coolant, are drained and disposed of without harming the environment. This is known as vehicle depollution. The parts of the car they’ve come from are flushed through to make sure no fluids have been missed.
- The battery and tyres are removed. Tyres need to be recycled by a specialist, but very occasionally they may be reused on other vehicles.
- Some ATFs remove and catalogue components to be sold on as spare parts.
- The car is put through a shredder where powerful magnets separate the metals from other materials.
- The ATF will sell the steel to be melted down and used on new products. Using scrap steel can save up to 74% of the energy needed to make new steel.
- Lighter materials like foam, rubber, plastics and glass are separated by a vacuum and sent on for recycling. It was once more difficult to recycle safety glass, but new technology means it can now be ground down and reused in the same way as regular glass.
How are recycled car components used?
Recycling car components can live on in all sorts of surprising ways.
| Car component | What it can be made into |
| Batteries |
|
| Glass |
|
| Precious metals (found in catalytic converters) |
|
| Tyres |
|
| Windows and windscreens |
|
| Copper |
|
Did you know?You could be driving on old tyres when you’re on a motorway. A type of asphalt made up of shredded tyres taken from scrap cars is being used on the M1. As well as delivering environmental benefits, the rubber from tyres could help provide a better surface grip and even absorb road noise. |
Are there any alternative ways to dispose of my old car?
If you don’t want to scrap your old car there are a few other options:
Donate it to charity
You might want to think about donating your car’s value to charity. You can do this via individual charities like Oxfam or Age UK or through an intermediary scheme.
Trade it in using a car scrappage scheme
If you’re looking to replace your old car with a new, more environmentally friendly model, there are a number of car manufacturers currently offering discounts under their car scrappage schemes.
Check with car dealerships or government schemes to see if any apply.
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Julie Daniels - Motor insurance expert
Julie is passionate about delivering a great customer experience and rewarding people for saving on their insurance through our loyalty and rewards programme. She’s spoken to the media, including outlets like Sky News and Capital FM, about car and home insurance, as well as our rewards scheme.
This article is written by a Compare the Market expert, backed by data and enhanced by AI. Find out how we ensure accuracy and quality in our Editorial Guidelines.
