How to scrap my car

Home > Scrap my Car > Car Scrapping Guidance

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.

How easy is it to scrap a car

Scrapping your car doesn’t have to be difficult. So don’t drive yourself around the bend stressing about how you’re going to scrap your car. Our article will tell you just how easy scrapping your car can be.

What happens when I scrap my car

Curious as to what happens when you wave your car off to scrap? Our article will help put your mind at rest and explain the car scrapping process as well as how quickly we can help to make it happen.

How much do you get for scrapping a car

Want to know how much your scrap car is worth? Read our article for a run down of some of the factors that could influence the price of your scrap car.

How to scrap a car for the most money

Want to know if there’s anything that you can do to help get more money for your scrap car? Our article has all the tips and tricks on what you can do to help get the most money for your scrap car.

When is the best time to scrap my car

If you’ve decided that you want to scrap your car but you’re unsure as to when is a good time, then you’ll definitely want to check out this article. It’s got a selection of factors that you might want to consider as to when is a good time to take your car to scrap.

How can I scrap my old car

If you’ve decided that now is perfect time to scrap your old car, but you’re just not sure how to go about then look no further. Our article has got everything you need to know to guide you through the different ways of how you can scrap your car.

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.

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.

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.