How Do I Tell DVLA My Car Is Scrapped?
Written by, Marija Petkova
Updated June, 13, 2022
Even if a vehicle is no longer drivable, drivers have certain (legal) obligations to the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency, including letting it know that the vehicle is scrapped.
But, how do I tell DVLA my car is scrapped?
Let’s find out.
How do I tell the DVLA my car is scrapped?
There are two ways to tell the DVLA that you’re scrapping a car: online and by post.
How do I notify DVLA of scrapping my car online?
The easiest way to notify the DVLA of your scrapped car is via its official website.
To fill out the online form, you’ll need:
- Your vehicle registration number.
- Your 11-digit reference number from Section 9 of your V5C.
- The name and address of the Authorised Treatment Facility( ATF ) that collected your vehicle.
How do I notify DVLA of scrapping my car by post?
If you want to inform the DVLA about your car being scrapped by post, you’ll need to fill out section 4 of your V5 log book and post it to the DVLA. You’ll also need to include the name and address of the scrapyard.
How do I tell DVLA my car is scrapped without a logbook?
You can inform the DVLA about your scrapped car even if you don’t have a log book, but you’ll have to do that by post.
To notify the DVLA that you will scrap your car, you’ll need to post the following information:
- Your name and address.
- The registration number of your vehicle.
- The make and model of the car.
- Date of sale.
- Details about the collection agent.
What Happens If You Want To Keep Some Parts Before Scrapping The Car?
Drivers can keep working parts of the car they are scrapping and potentially use them in another vehicle, but they need to inform the DVLA of their intentions.
If you plan to scrap your vehicle and keep parts of it, here’s what you need to do:
- Remote the registration: If you plan to keep the vehicle, you’ll need to apply to remove the registration number.
- Take the vehicle to the ATF: When you take your vehicle to ATF, you should give them the log book for it. If you’ve already scraped the car and kept the log book, you should destroy it. The only party of the log book that you need to keep is the ‘sell, transfer or part-exchange your vehicle to the motor trade’ section.
- Inform the DVLA: Declare your vehicle as scrapped to the DVLA.
Worth noting: If you want to scrap a car that wasn’t registered in the UK, you have to take it to an ATF.
Will I Get Confirmation From The DVLA?
Once you declare your car as scrapped, the DVLA will send you a confirmation letter or email that they’ve received your information and that you’re no longer responsible for the vehicle.
If you don’t receive a confirmation within four weeks, you should contact the DVLA to make sure your email (or letter) got through.
Worth noting: After you notify the DVLA that your car has been scrapped, the agency will automatically cancel your vehicle tax and send you a refund for all full months left on the vehicle tax.
What Happens If I Don’t Inform The DVLA that I’ve Scrapped The Car?
Drivers are legally required to inform the DVLA that a car is scrapped. Failing to inform the DVLA about the changes can result in a fine of £1,000.
There have been cases where the DVLA fined drivers for an untaxed car because the changes weren’t reflected in the agency’s system. If the DVLA system still has you as a registered owner of the vehicle and you stopped paying taxes (because you’ve scrapped the car), the system may flag your vehicle as untaxed and fine you.
Worth noting: If you decide to keep your car for parts after you declare it as scrapped to the DVLA, you won’t be allowed to park it on a public road, including in front of your own house. You’ll have to keep it on private land (in a garage or your driveway).
Bottom Line
Every driver has a legal responsibility to report scrap cars in the UK to the DVLA. You can inform the DVLA that your car is scrapped either online or by post. Once you do, make sure that you get a confirmation letter from the agency that you’re no longer responsible for the vehicle– otherwise, you might get fined for having an untaxed vehicle (even if the vehicle is no longer in your possession)
Frequently Asked Questions And Their Answers
How much do you get for scrapping a car in the UK?
Scrapping a car in the UK can earn you anywhere between £150 to £300. The ATF will take into consideration its model, size, age, and weight, among other things.
Do I have to inform the DVLA if I scrap my car?
If you decide to scrap your car in the UK, you’ll have to notify the DVLA. The fine for not reporting a scrapped car is £1,000.
How does scrapping a car affect insurance?
Once you register your car as scrapped, your insurance company will cancel your policy. You could potentially transfer your policy to a new vehicle if you make a deal with your insurer.
How do I tell the DVLA that my car is scrapped?
If you decide to scrap your car, you can inform the DVLA about your decision either online or by post. If the vehicle was registered outside the UK, you’ll have to report it by post.
My name is Marija, and I'm a financial writer at DontDisappointMe. Although finance might not be everyone's cup of tea, my 10+ years of working in one of the biggest banks in my country, and my interest in extensive research on everything finance/investment-related, have made me somewhat of an expert in the field (if I do say so myself). No longer having the passion to work in a corporate setting, I decided that I couldn't let all of this knowledge go to waste so I started writing. And, here I am! Today I try to share my knowledge with my audience in the hopes of making this topic as simple and interesting as possible. In my leisure time, I like spending time with my family and travelling to new locations.