Cars & Transport guide

Scrap your car legally and tell the DVLA

Use an authorised treatment facility, get your Certificate of Destruction, tell DVLA, and sort out insurance, tax refund and personal plates properly.

Estimated time: 1–2 hours over a weekUpdated: 1 October 2026

Use this guide when your car has reached the end of its life and repairs are no longer worth the cost. You need your V5C logbook, your photo ID, and your car's keys and spare keys.

Step by step

  1. Decide whether to scrap or sell

    Get a quote for any repairs and compare it with the car's value using online valuation tools. A car that needs a small repair may be worth selling to a trader or privately. If the car is beyond economic repair, scrapping is usually the best route. Check whether your car has any valuable parts or a personalised number plate you want to keep before you proceed.

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