Scrap my car

The amount you'll get for scrapping your car depends on a few key factors, including its weight, current scrap metal prices, and whether any parts can be reused or resold.

Scrap value is typically based on metal weight, so payouts may be lower than other ways of selling your car.

You could also make more money by removing and selling valuable parts separately, but this requires time, effort, mechanical skill, and it may take longer to sell everything.

If your car is still in reasonable condition, you could get more by selling it to a car buying service like webuyanycar instead of scrapping it. In many cases, this can result in a higher price - and we can even buy Category A cars, potentially beating your scrap quote.

You might consider scrapping your car if it’s old, damaged, or no longer roadworthy. Scrapping lets you dispose of your old motor safely and legally, but you can often get more cash through other selling avenues.

If you’d rather skip the scrapyard process, webuyanycar offers a simple alternative. You’ll also get a price based on your car’s condition, history, and resale value, which is often higher than scrap value, even for damaged or non-running cars.

In England and Wales, it’s illegal to be paid in physical currency for a scrap vehicle. Under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, all payments must be made via traceable methods such as bank transfer or cheque.

If you sell to webuyanycar, we’ll pay you by electronic bank transfer rather than physical cash, in line with our standard payment process.

At minimum, you'll need to give the scrapyard your V5C logbook, keeping the yellow 'sell, transfer, or part-exchange your vehicle to the motor trade' slip for yourself.

You'll also need to verify your identity, usually with a driving licence or passport, plus a separate proof of address, if your ID doesn't already show one.

You won't be paid in cash. ATFs must pay by non-transferable cheque or electronic bank transfer, so have your bank details ready if you're being paid that way.

Exact requirements can vary between ATFs, so it's worth checking with your chosen site beforehand.

Documents and accessories

• V5C logbook.
• Service history (if available).
• Both sets of keys (if available) and any extras (e.g. locking wheel nut, radio, and sat nav security codes).

Identification

• Photographic proof of ID (e.g. driving licence or passport).
• Proof of address from the last 9 months (e.g. utility bill, council tax bill or bank statement).

If the address on your driving licence matches your V5C logbook, proof of address isn't required. If you use a passport as your proof of ID, proof of address is still required.

Financial details

• Your bank details, so we can set up your payment.
• If your car has outstanding finance, an in-date settlement letter from your finance company confirming the amount owed.

Unlike scrapping, where requirements can vary between scrapyards, our process is the same across all 550+ branches, and we can usually complete the sale and pay you within an hour.

When scrapping, it depends on the individual scrapyard. Payment timing isn't set by law, it's down to the scrapyard’s own process, which may vary from almost immediately to several working days.

With webuyanycar, timing is fixed. Choose our Immediate Payment option to get the money in your bank within 15 minutes (fees apply), or our standard payment option, which arrives within 4 working days.

Scrapping your car at a scrapyard is usually free of charge and you'll be paid the vehicle's scrap value.

However, some scrapyards will charge you a fee if any essential parts have been removed from the car. This processing fee will be deducted from your payment.

Yes, you can scrap a car that isn't in your name, but only if you're authorised to do so by the owner.

You'll need to provide your own photo ID and proof of address, as scrap dealers are legally required to verify the identity of the person supplying the vehicle.

You may also be asked for additional documents, depending on the situation, such as:

• The V5C logbook (if available).
• Proof of the owner's permission (for example, a signed note or confirmation).
• In some cases, a copy of the owner's ID.

Requirements can vary between scrapyards, so it's best to check in advance.

Please note: If you want to sell your car to webuyanycar, you'll need a V5C logbook. See our guides to selling a car on behalf of someone else and replacing lost car documents if you need to get one.