What happens to scrap cars?

Published 20 December 2019

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4.6 from 19 Google reviewsAuthorised Treatment Facility, South Croydon

A silver Toyota Avensis loaded on the SSC recovery truck
Toyota Avensis, collected in Kingston

Over a million vehicles get scrapped every year, but what happens to scrap cars? Many vehicle owners are turning to this solution when their car has been written off, or the costs of running it are just too great to keep paying for repairs. It’s the ideal way to get paid money for your scrap car without the hassle of trying to find a buyer, especially if it’s not roadworthy. Here’s what happens when you use reputable car scrap services.

Transferring to a Licensed ATF

If you’re using a reputable car scrap dealer, they’ll transfer the vehicle to a licensed ATF – an Authorised Treatment Facility. This means it’s been approved by the Environment Agency, ensuring the best practices are used when scrapping vehicles.

Removing Hazardous Components

Once your car has arrived, the first stage is to ensure pollutants are taken away. It involves removing hazardous components which could be harmful if they worked their way into the ground or air. Parts which contaminate the environment include fuel, oil and battery acid.

Recycling Parts

Next, recyclable and specialist parts are removed, such as rubber, glass and metal. This includes bulkier components of the vehicles, such as the tyres, windscreen and windows. These will be recycled and reused, saving the parts from landfill or incineration, which causes further harm to the environment.

Crushing the Car

Once no more specialist, hazardous or bulky parts need removal, the rest of the shell can be crushed down even more, making it easy to transport. This smaller cube or flattened metal carcass will be broken down again by a shredder. The metal fragments can then be recycled.

How to Scrap Your Car

If you’re thinking ‘how do I scrap my car?’, luckily, it’s incredibly easy. Once you’ve found a licensed car scrap expert (say hello to our team at Car Scrap Surrey!), you’ll need your vehicle registration to receive a quote.

If you accept our estimate, we’ll come out to you for free so that you avoid the hassle of having to transport the vehicle to us, even if it’s been written off. We’ll transfer the money directly into your bank account, taking your car away for legal disposal.

Has My Car Been Scrapped?

Once you receive a CoD (Certificate of Destruction) then you have proof that the car was scrapped. You can let the DVLA know your car has been scrapped simply by filling out some details online. Ensure you have your V5C logbook at hand for this. If you can’t find it, you’ll need to write to the DVLA to let them know your vehicle registration, the make and model, the date you handed over your vehicle and the car scrap company used (including the business name and address).

Get the Best Price for Your Scrap Car

Car Scrap Surrey operates across Croydon, South London and Surrey areas, including Kingston upon Thames, Mitcham and Morden. Call 020 8406 4181 now for a free quote.

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Any make, any condition. If it has wheels or it’s metal, we’ll take it.

  • Cars
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  • Non-runners
  • MOT failures
  • Crash damage
  • Motorbikes
  • Caravans
  • 4x4s
  • Scrap metal
  • Catalytic converters

What people say about Rick

4.6 from 19 reviews on Google

“Great service, easy, friendly and efficient. I helped an elderly friend to scrap her old car from an awkward location with limited access. The car had a seized clutch so couldn't move under it's own power, or so I thought, but Rick had an impressive trick to get it moving, and it took barely 5 seconds to get it down the drive and straight up onto his flat-bed truck. A sight to behold!!”
Stephen D., Google review
“Professional, Courteous and Quick. Rang on a Monday for a Weds pickup (which suited me), I'm sure pick up could have been same day if I had wanted it. Rick arrived exactly when he said. Good price received and car put onto pick up, V5 all completed and car gone within 5 mins. Rick we a joy to deal with. I would thoroughly recommend Rick and SSC...”
Michael K., Google review
“So impressed with how quickly everything was sorted! We had a lot of scrap metal left over from building work and Ricky was here in a flash. No problem with anything at all, he just took everything. Saved us so much effort than having to go to the dump, and we got some money too!”
Karen M., Google review

Genuine reviews from our Google Business Profile, checked weekly (last updated 23 October 2026). Read all reviews

Got a car to scrap?

Or ring 020 8406 4181 or 07716 551934 – we’re open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.