Can someone else scrap my car on my behalf?

Yes — someone else can legally scrap your car on your behalf, as long as they have your permission and the correct documents. This is a common scenario for owners who are elderly, unavailable, or simply want a trusted friend or family member to handle the process. At blackburnscrapyard.co.uk, we assist customers with third-party scrapping every day — and we make sure it’s all done legally, transparently, and hassle-free.

Can I Appoint Someone to Scrap My Car?

There’s no legal restriction that says only the vehicle owner can physically present the car for scrapping. What matters is that the person doing so has the right to act on your behalf. Scrap yards have a legal duty to ensure the car isn’t stolen and that the person handing it over has legitimate authorisation to do so. That’s why providing a letter of permission and the logbook is key to avoiding any issues.

Scrap yards will accept a car from someone other than the registered keeper, if documentation is provided.

You should give the person your V5C and a signed permission note.

The person scrapping the car must still show their own ID at the scrap yard.

Without proof of consent, the scrap yard may refuse the vehicle.

What Documents Should I Provide?

1. A Letter of Authorisation

Write a short, signed note authorising the other person to scrap your vehicle. It should include:

Your full name and address
The vehicle registration number, make, and model
The name of the person scrapping the vehicle
A statement such as: “I authorise [name] to scrap my vehicle on my behalf.”
The date and your signature

While this isn’t a legal requirement, most reputable scrap yards ask for it if the person scrapping doesn’t match the name on the V5C. It shows transparency and protects everyone involved.

2. The V5C Log Book

Give the person handling the scrapping your V5C. Ideally, you (the owner) should complete and sign the appropriate section for scrapping — this ensures DVLA records are updated properly. If you’re unsure which part to fill out, refer to our V5C section guide.

3. A Copy of Your ID (Optional but Helpful)

While not always required, including a photocopy of your driving licence or passport adds another layer of credibility. It helps the scrap yard verify that the person scrapping the car has genuine authorisation.

What Will the Person Scrapping the Car Need to Do?

1. Show Their Own Photo ID

The person delivering the car will be asked to present their own valid photo ID — such as a UK driving licence or passport — to comply with the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013. This is a legal requirement for all scrap transactions in the UK.

2. Deliver the Car and Documents

They should arrive with your V5C, your authorisation letter, and their own ID. The scrap yard will check everything before accepting the vehicle. We recommend calling ahead to let the yard know someone else is coming on your behalf.

3. Clarify Payment Arrangements

Decide in advance who should receive payment. Most yards will default to paying the person who brings in the vehicle. If you want the payment to go to you (the owner), your representative should make this clear. In many cases, the yard will agree to pay the named owner if instructed and provided with bank details.

Who Handles the DVLA Notification?

This can be done by either party — but coordination is crucial. There are two options:

You (the owner) can fill in the V5C slip in advance and either give it to your representative to post, or keep it yourself and send it once the car is scrapped.
The representative can fill in the V5C at the time of scrapping and post the slip to DVLA.

If you prefer to use the online DVLA service, you can complete the scrap notification yourself once the vehicle is handed over. Just make sure you coordinate so the timing and details align.

Common Scenarios

Scrapping on Behalf of an Elderly Parent

This is a frequent case. Your parent may not be mobile or may prefer not to deal with the process. You can act on their behalf with a signed letter and the V5C. It helps if you share the same address or surname, but isn’t required if documents are provided.

You’re Abroad or Unavailable

If you’re away and want a friend to handle your car’s disposal, just send them your written consent, the logbook, and instructions for payment and DVLA notification. We also recommend a quick phone call or email to the yard confirming your authorisation.

Vehicle Stored Elsewhere

If the vehicle is being kept on a family member’s driveway or with a garage, they can scrap it for you as long as they bring the documents. This is often the case with long-abandoned or project cars.

Our Support at Blackburn Scrapyard

We regularly process third-party scrapping transactions and we make it as easy as possible. When booking your vehicle for collection, just let us know that someone else will be handing over the keys. We’ll tell you exactly what documents to provide and who needs to bring what.

We accept vehicles from third parties with a signed authorisation.

We walk you through the documents and payment preferences.

We help you notify DVLA correctly, even if you’re not present.

We provide full receipts and payment confirmation for peace of mind.

Useful Resources

Need someone to scrap your car for you? We’ll tell you exactly what to do — so everything is done properly, even if you’re not present.

Legal Context

It’s legal for an owner to designate someone else (a friend, family member, mechanic, etc.) to carry out the scrapping process. There’s no formal procedure to nominate an agent, but a letter of authorization is prudent. The third party will still have to abide by all rules (show ID, etc.). The owner should ideally sign the V5C transfer section or provide the V5C to that person. The DVLA doesn’t need to know who physically took the car to scrap – they just need the notification that it was scrapped. So as long as that happens, it’s fine. However, if the scrap yard senses something awry (like the person doesn’t know basic info or seems unrelated with no proof), they might decline. From a liability standpoint, once the car is scrapped and DVLA notified, it’s as if the owner did it themselves. The letter or authorization is more for the scrap yard’s comfort and the owner’s peace of mind.

Why This Matters

Owners who are elderly, busy, or out of the country might ask someone else to handle scrapping. They worry if that person will face any issues or if the yard will accept them. Communication is key – the owner should equip their representative with everything needed. Another concern: trust – ensuring the person actually scraps it and doesn’t misuse the car (but that’s a personal matter). Also, owners might wonder if they still get paid if someone else brings it in – typically you can arrange the payment to go to the owner’s account or whatever is agreed. There’s also the scenario of using a scrap collection service (which is essentially “someone else” scrapping on your behalf) – those services handle everything if booked properly, which is common.

Quick Step-by-Step Summary

Write an authorization letter: As the owner, provide a signed note stating that you give permission to [Person’s Name] to scrap your vehicle [make, model, reg number] on your behalf. Date it and sign it. This isn’t legally mandated but helps clear any confusion. Hand over the V5C: Give the person the vehicle’s V5C log book. Ideally, you (the owner) fill in and sign the scrap notification section of the V5C in advance. If not, the person can fill it out, but having your signature on it is even better. They will need to send that to DVLA (or you can pre-send it, but usually better to do it after the vehicle is handed over in case date or scrap yard details need adding). Provide your ID copy (optional): Including a photocopy of your driver’s licence or passport for the scrap yard can further prove that the car’s owner consents. While not always required, it’s an extra reassurance. Third party shows their ID: The person scrapping will present their own photo ID at the scrap yard (as required by law) and will be the recorded seller in the scrap yard’s records. That’s okay – the letter from you bridges the gap that they are doing it for you. Arrange payment details: Decide upfront who should get the payment for the scrap. If you, as the owner, want the money, instruct the scrap yard (via your representative) to make the cheque out to you or transfer to your account. Often, scrap yards default to paying the person who presents the car. Your representative can ask them to pay the owner instead – some yards might insist on paying the person present (for simplicity and record-keeping), in which case your representative should pass the money to you. This is a trust issue between you and them. Notification to DVLA: Ensure that the DVLA notification gets done. The representative can mail the V5C slip or you can do it yourself once they return the completed slip to you. If the transaction is done online, you as the owner could even do the online notification yourself (since you have the V5C details) once the car is in the hands of the scrap yard. Coordinate so it’s clear who is handling the DVLA part to avoid it being overlooked. Follow up: After scrapping, confirm everything: Did the representative get a receipt or CoD? Did DVLA send a letter? This closure helps all parties know it’s settled.

Sources & References

GOV.UK – Scrapping process and rules; Blackburn Scrapyard – Contact Us

Helpful External Links

https://www.gov.uk/scrapped-vehicle, https://www.blackburnscrapyard.co.uk/contact/

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