How to scrap my car
Expert Car Scrapping Guidance from Jamjar
Many cars on the road are destined for the scrapyard, whether that’s because they get too expensive to repair, or they’re too old to be worth re-selling.
If the time has come for you to think about getting rid of your old motor, Jamjar’s car scrapping guidance is here to help you get as much money as possible and to make sure you meet all the legal requirements.
Getting started
Should I scrap my car?
Should you scrap your car? Ultimately, it’s a question that only you can answer, but there are a few different factors that you can bear in mind if you’re trying to make a decision. To help you make your mind up, Jamjar has created a guide to the main factors you should consider: cost, time and the state of the car.
Starting out when scrapping your car
If your car is coming to the end of the road it may not be practical or safe to keep persisting with it. Scrapping your car may be the most sensible and economical option. Here you’ll find more information on everything you might need to consider before scrapping.
Exploring your options
Where should you scrap your car?
Wondering where you can scrap your car? In this guide, we look at the three most popular options for where to scrap your car, giving you all the information you need to decide where you’re going to get the best deal.
My Car Failed its MOT – What Can I Do?
No one wants their car to fail its MOT. However, If yours has and you no longer have a valid MOT certificate then it is illegal to drive it, except in a couple scenarios. There are limited choices available to you at this point, but Jamjar has written a failed MOT guide to help you make the most informed decision.
Preparing your car for scrap
What documents do I need to scrap my car?
Make sure you have all the paperwork you need to complete a sale to a scrap dealer. The main one to concern yourself with is the vehicle registration document (V5C) commonly called the log book. This is important to identify the owner of the vehicle, but don’t panic if you can’t find it. Learn about alternatives here.
Can I scrap my car without a V5C (log book)?
Worried about being fined for scrapping a car without a V5C? It’s a fair concern to have, and the DVLA don’t help matters either. Jamjar advice breaks down the details about scrapping your car if you’ve lost that pesky V5 logbook.
The DVLA and scrapping your car
The biggest obstacle when scrapping your car is the DVLA. As the government agency that handles all UK vehicle matters, it’s vital that you deal with them in the correct way at all times when scrapping your car. Jamjar advice discusses what you need to do to keep the DVLA happy when scrapping your car.
Do I need to SORN my car before I scrap it?
If you’re scrapping a car, it’s not going to be roadworthy for much longer. Many ask the question about whether you need to SORN it before actually having the car scrapped. We answer that question in this article from Jamjar advice.
At what mileage should I scrap my car?
Read our guide on when it’s best to scrap your car once the miles start to pile up. Don’t let your car drive itself into the ground before it’s too late, Jamjar advice will help you decide on the best course of action when scrapping your car.
Can I scrap my car with outstanding finance?
Wondering whether you can scrap your car with outstanding finance? It’s a question we commonly get asked so we’ve created this guide to help you. Find out more about the implications of having outstanding finance here.
More information
The law around scrapping
The UK government has introduced a few different laws over the years that have a direct bearing on how we scrap cars. The most important one is that, if you’re responsible for scrapping the car yourself (as opposed to your insurance company handling a write off), you have to make sure the car goes to an authorised treatment facility (ATF). This is because some of the substances released during the scrapping process, like battery acid and engine oil, are harmful to the environment and potentially hazardous.
Getting your car scrapped by a non-authorised company is a criminal offence. All of the buyers who will buy your car for scrap through Jamjar are fully authorised and will provide you with a Certificate of Destruction.
Another regulation you need to be aware of is that it’s illegal to accept cash in return for your vehicle. You can accept payment, but that payment must be carried out in another way. This law was introduced to ensure that transactions are traceable and above board.
Documents needed to scrap your car
The most important document to have in your possession if you’re thinking about scrapping your car is the V5C (also known as a log book). The document will pass to the firm that’s scrapping your car, in exchange for your Certificate of Destruction.
Read more: What documents do I need to scrap my car?
Informing the DVLA
It’s essential that you inform the DVLA once you’ve scrapped your car. Failing to do so will result in you being required to continue paying road tax. Once you’ve informed them, you’ll also be refunded for any tax you’ve already paid for but no longer need.
Read more: Informing the DVLA when you’ve scrapped your car
Getting the best price for your scrap vehicle
Just because you won’t get as much money for scrapping a car as you would for selling it on in better condition doesn’t mean you settle for the first price you see. The local scrapyard or the first place you land online won’t necessarily make you the best offer. Before making a decision, be sure to look at multiple different offers to work out what you can expect to receive for your car.
Jamjar makes this part of the job much easier than it could be. Enter your reg number into our scrap my car page and sit back as the quotes appear on your screen. We source the best offers we can find for your make and model from buyers around the country and present you with the full details of any quote so that you can decide which is best. Weigh up a number of factors, including the availability of collection and the location of the buyer, then simply click on the offer you’d like to take. It’s that easy.