The DVLA has specific rules about how vehicles must be scrapped. Following these rules protects you from ongoing liability and ensures your vehicle is removed from the register properly.
The V5C Process
When your car is scrapped, the V5C registration document must be processed. If you are using a licensed ATF like ours, we complete section 9 of the V5C and submit it to the DVLA on your behalf. The DVLA then updates their records to show the vehicle has been destroyed. You should keep the yellow slip from the V5C as your record until you receive confirmation.
Certificate of Destruction
The DVLA requires that a Certificate of Destruction is issued for every scrapped vehicle. Only licensed ATFs can issue these certificates. The CoD is your legal proof that the vehicle no longer exists and you are no longer responsible for it. We issue CoDs for every vehicle we process at our scrap yard.
Tax Refund
When the DVLA processes the scrapping notification, any remaining road tax is automatically cancelled. You will receive a refund for any full months remaining. If you pay by direct debit, it will be cancelled automatically. The refund arrives by cheque to your registered address.
SORN and Scrapping
If your vehicle is on SORN, it still needs to be properly scrapped through a licensed facility. The SORN only tells the DVLA the car is off-road. It does not remove the vehicle from the register. Only a Certificate of Destruction does that.
Fines for Non-Compliance
If you scrap a car through an unlicensed operator and the DVLA is not properly notified, you remain the registered keeper. This means liability for road tax, insurance requirements, and any fines or penalties associated with the vehicle. In extreme cases, this can lead to prosecution.
We Handle Everything
When you scrap your car with us, all DVLA requirements are handled automatically. We process the V5C, issue the Certificate of Destruction, and notify the DVLA electronically. You do not need to contact the DVLA yourself.
Need to scrap your car? Get a free quote. Serving Stirling, Dundee, Elgin, and all of Scotland.