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    Scrap your car fast

    Recycle your car with our scrap buying partner. Easy, with fast payment & home collection.

    112,750+ reviews

    Need to sell your car for scrap

    If your car has seen better days, you might be thinking about scrapping it. Sounds like a hassle, right? Wrong. Scrapping your car with Motorway and our scraping partner is an easy way to make money from your car.

    Here’s why scrapping is simple:

    • No need to drive around for quotes – Forget visiting multiple scrap yards or searching for the right scheme.
    • Quick and hassle-free process – Just enter your reg and mileage, and we’ll connect you to our trusted scrap-buying partner.
    • Your car gets recycled responsibly – Our partner ensures that your vehicle is scrapped in line with environmental regulations.

    Cars wear down over time and decrease in value, and sometimes scrapping is the best option. It might be time to recycle your car if it’s:

    Why scrap your car with Motorway?

    There are many reasons scrapping your car might be the way to go:

    • It costs too much to keep running
    • You can’t find a private buyer
    • Dealerships don’t want it

    Sound familiar? If your car’s just gathering dust (or rust) then recycling your car is a hassle-free way to make space on your driveway whilst pocketing some extra cash.

    Ready to scrap your car?

    When it comes to scrapping your car, we’re not fussy. No matter how damaged or unroadworthy it is, our scrap partner will take your vehicle off your hands. Plus, you get:

    • Free home collection
    • Fast payment made directly to your bank account
    • Zero fees, it’s 100% free

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    What to do before you scrap your car

    Scrapping is one of the quickest and easiest ways to say goodbye to a car that’s past its best. But before you make the final decision, follow these steps:

    • Assess the car’s condition: Are the repair costs higher than what the car is worth? If the answer is yes, then you can move forward with scrapping it.
    • Clear out personal items: Remove everything from your car, including valuables and personal belongings.
    • Gather important paperwork: Make sure you get your logbook, service history documents, and any other relevant paperwork from your glovebox.
    • Notify DVLA: You give the V5C to the ATF but keep the yellow section, then tell DVLA yourself. You can be fined £1,000 if you don’t.
    • Cancel your vehicle’s road tax: You don’t want to pay for a car you no longer own. And you may even be eligible for a refund on any remaining tax.
    • Cancel your insurance policy.
    • Find an authorised treatment facility (ATF): Look for an ATF near you. These facilities are legally allowed to dismantle and scrap vehicles, and they prioritise the recycling and recovery of materials.
    • Check scrappage terms: Ensure that the facility’s scrappage terms work for you (such as their collection policy or how they calculate your car’s worth) and book a date and time to bring your car in.

    How much is scrap value?

    Well, it depends — several factors influence the price:

    • Location & vehicle condition: Your car’s location and overall state affect its value.
    • Size & weight: Larger vehicles generally fetch higher prices due to their scrap metal content.
    • Additional services: If fluids need draining or hazardous materials need removing, extra costs may apply.
    • Collection needs: Some ATFs offer free collection within a certain distance, but towing may cost extra.

    As a rough guide, you can expect to earn between £100 and £500 for scrapping your passenger car or van.

    How to get the best price

    • Selling parts separately: If you have mechanical experience, stripping your car for parts may increase your earnings.
    • Scrapyard pricing: Some ATFs pay based on weight and the current scrap metal market value.
    • Getting quotes: Contact local facilities to compare offers and understand any costs involved.
    • Service history & MOT certificates – Whilst not required, providing these documents can help the ATF assess your vehicle’s condition and may affect the value they offer you.

    What forms do you need to scrap your car?

    If you’re scrapping your car, you’ll need to have the right paperwork to prove that you’re the registered legal owner. You’ll need:

    • Car ownership documents, this includes your logbook and insurance paperwork as well as your insurance and road tax documentation — remember to cancel these once your car has been scrapped.
    • ID, some scrapyards may also need to confirm your identity and ownership of the vehicle, you could use your driver’s licence or another form of government-issued ID.

    Once your car has been scrapped, ATF will issue you a Certificate of Destruction (CoD). This document proves that your vehicle has been legally disposed of and means you’re no longer responsible for it, keep this for your records. And that’s it — your car has been scrapped and you can tick another thing off your to-do list.

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    Commonly asked questions about scrapping a car

    How can I scrap a car or other vehicle?

    Traditionally, to recycle or scrap your junk car you would have to drive it to a scrap yard, agree on its scrap value and make your own way home. With Motorway, our partner comes straight to you, collects your car and pays your money within 24 hours.

    What is a car breaker?

    A car breaker is just another term for a scrap yard, making it a self-explanatory name for the place where old cars are broken down.

    What is my scrap car value?

    The value of a car that has reached the end of its life can be a difficult thing to figure out. You can get different car prices depending on the route you choose, such as:

    Depending on how much effort you’re willing to put in, your car may sell for more in parts than it will as a whole — but not without a bit of elbow grease — or help you get some money off your next car purchase, provided you can find a scheme that will accept it. For a stress-free way to part with your old car, choose the Motorway.

    Where can I scrap my car near me?

    You can’t get much nearer than your home! Motorway works with a partner who will collect your car right from your door, so you don’t have to worry about driving your car to the scrap yard or making your way home. Plus, payment is quick and simple, too.

    How do I notify DVLA about a car sold for scrap?

    When you scrap your junk car with an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF), a document called a Certificate of Destruction (CoD) will be given to you as proof that your vehicle has been recycled. The ATF will tell the DVLA that you have sold your car and that you are no longer responsible for it.

    Remember, even if you break your car down for parts, the DVLA will not acknowledge it as recycled until it has been taken to an ATF, and expect you to continue paying road tax or declare it off-road (SORN).

    What documents do you need to scrap a car?

    Taking your end of life vehicle (ELV) to be scrapped does require a bit of paperwork. Before you head to an Authorised Treatment Facility to get rid of your vehicle, make sure you have the following with you:

    • Photo ID
    • Proof of address
    • V5C (also known as a logbook or V5)

    In some cases, like if you can’t provide a V5C or the keys of the car, the scrap dealer may request proof of purchase to make sure you are the vehicle owner.

    Can I scrap my car without a V5C?

    Yes, you can, although parting with a car without its V5 can make the process a little more complicated. You’ll need to write to the DVLA to notify them that you have sold your car to an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATR) with the following details:

    • Your name
    • Your address
    • The car’s reg
    • The sale date
    • Details and signature of the ATR

    You’ll need to have your letter prepared and ready for the day you head to the ATR so someone there can provide you with a signature.

    If you do have your V5C, all you have to do is fill out the correct section. For V5Cs issued after April 2019, that will be section 4, for all over logbooks, it’s section 9 — just fill it in and send it to DLVA.

     

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