How do I scrap a car of a deceased person?

Scrapping a car owned by a deceased person can feel like a daunting task, especially when you're already dealing with grief and estate matters. The good news is that the process is legally straightforward, provided you have the right documents and authority to act on behalf of the deceased. At blackburnscrapyard.co.uk, we regularly assist families and executors in handling vehicles as part of a loved one’s estate — with full transparency, sensitivity, and compliance with UK law.

Who Has the Right to Scrap a Deceased Person’s Car?

When a vehicle owner passes away, their car becomes part of their estate. That means only someone with legal authority — usually the executor of the will or the next of kin — can legally arrange for it to be scrapped. You don’t need a solicitor or probate court for most straightforward cases, especially if the car is of low financial value, but you should be able to demonstrate your connection to the deceased and your role in handling their affairs.

If you’re the named executor or administrator, you can legally scrap the vehicle.

If there’s no will, the spouse or closest adult relative usually handles it.

Scrap yards will ask for documentation to show you’re authorised to act.

Payment for the car should go to the estate or a responsible heir.

Step-by-Step: Scrapping a Car After the Owner Has Died

1. Establish Your Authority

Ideally, you are the executor named in the deceased’s will, or you’ve received Letters of Administration if there was no will. However, if the estate is simple and no formal probate has been opened yet, a spouse, adult child, or next of kin can usually handle car scrapping with the right documents. You should be able to explain your connection and your reason for acting.

2. Gather the Key Documents

You’ll need to present the following to the scrap yard:

If the log book cannot be found, don't worry — you can still proceed with a signed letter to DVLA explaining the situation (more below).

3. Inform the Scrap Yard Ahead of Time

Call your chosen ATF and explain that the vehicle’s owner has passed away. Reputable yards like blackburnscrapyard.co.uk will understand and let you know what documents they’ll need to proceed. This helps avoid delays on collection day.

4. Prepare a Letter for DVLA

Write a short letter to DVLA stating the following:

"I am writing to inform you that [Full Name], the registered keeper of vehicle [Reg Number, Make, Model], has passed away. I am the [executor/next of kin] and have arranged for the vehicle to be scrapped at [Scrap Yard Name] on [Date]. Please update your records accordingly."

Signed,
[Your Full Name and Address]

Include a photocopy of the death certificate and your own ID. This is necessary because the DVLA cannot process the V5C without the registered keeper’s signature.

5. Complete the V5C Log Book

On the V5C, locate the section for scrapping a vehicle (usually Section 4 on newer forms or Section 9 on older ones). Fill out the details of the scrap yard. Instead of the deceased’s signature, write:

“Registered keeper deceased – signed by [Your Name], Executor.”

Send this slip to:
DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BD
along with your covering letter and documents.

6. Complete the Scrapping Process

The scrap yard will take the vehicle and issue a Certificate of Destruction (CoD). This will still be generated under the deceased’s name — and that’s perfectly fine. Keep this document in the estate records. It proves the vehicle has been deregistered and destroyed legally.

7. Decide How to Handle Payment

The scrap value of the car is technically part of the deceased’s estate. The payment can be made in one of three ways:

In most cases, the value is modest and families agree informally on how to allocate it. If formal probate is involved, deposit it into the estate account.

8. Receive Confirmation from DVLA

DVLA will usually send a letter confirming that the vehicle has been deregistered. This is typically sent to the deceased’s address. If you no longer have access to that property, consider putting a forwarding address on the DVLA notification letter.

If You Don’t Have the V5C

If you can’t find the logbook, that’s okay. Instead, include in your letter to DVLA all the vehicle’s details, explain that the registered keeper has died, and ask them to update the vehicle record. Mention that the car was scrapped and provide the scrap yard name and collection date. Attach the death certificate and your ID.

How We Support Bereaved Families

At blackburnscrapyard.co.uk, we aim to make this process as easy and respectful as possible. When you contact us about scrapping a vehicle belonging to someone who has passed away, we will:

We accept vehicles from executors or next of kin with proof of death.

We help you complete DVLA paperwork on behalf of the deceased.

We issue a Certificate of Destruction for every scrapped vehicle.

We treat all bereavement cases with care and legal clarity.

Get in touch with our team — we’re here to guide you through every step and ensure the vehicle is scrapped with dignity, security, and legal certainty.

Useful Resources

Need help scrapping a vehicle after someone’s passing? Let us support you with care and clarity.

Legal Context

When an owner dies, their vehicle becomes part of their estate. The person with the legal right to deal with the estate (executor if there’s a will, or administrator/next of kin if no will) can dispose of the car. DVLA’s process for a deceased keeper: Usually, you’d inform DVLA of the keeper’s death when transferring ownership or selling – in the case of scrapping, you are effectively transferring it to a dismantler. The key is to let DVLA know the keeper died so they can update records accordingly. Officially, DVLA asks for a letter and possibly a copy of the death certificate if you’re notifying a sale without a V5C signature. In practice, for scrapping: You will fill out the V5C with the scrap yard’s details. The deceased obviously can’t sign; DVLA has guidance that you (the representative) can sign and attach a letter explaining the keeper is deceased and that you are handling their affairs. The scrap yard will require proof because the ID and name on V5C won’t match. They will likely want to see a death certificate and proof you are next of kin or executor (like a probate letter or at least some documentation). There’s no specific law about scrapping a deceased’s car beyond general estate law – it’s your responsibility to ensure you have the right to do so, and DVLA’s responsibility to update records properly.

Why This Matters

At a difficult time, dealing with car paperwork is extra stress. People might not be sure if they’re allowed to scrap it before probate is complete, or what documents to show. There’s fear of doing something wrong legally. Another pain: sometimes insurance on the car lapses after death, so moving the car to scrap can be tricky (need towing). The executor might not find the V5C if the deceased kept papers elsewhere. Scrap yards may have not encountered many estate cases, so the family might need to be assertive in explaining. Also, concern about getting paid – the money technically belongs to the estate. But typically it’s small and just goes to next of kin.

Quick Step-by-Step Summary

  • Establish your authority: Ensure you are the right person to scrap the car. If you’re the executor named in the will or have grant of probate/letters of administration, that’s ideal. If not, typically the next of kin (spouse, adult child) can handle a low-value asset like a car if estate is straightforward. Find the V5C and ID: Locate the car’s V5C logbook in the deceased’s paperwork. Bring a copy of the death certificate. Also have any document proving you are executor or administrator (if available). Inform the scrap yard: Call ahead to the ATF and explain the situation: “The owner has passed away, I am their [relation] and handling their estate, I have the documents.” This alerts them to what you’ll present. Most will accommodate and advise what they need. Documentation for scrap yard: When scrapping, present the death certificate and your ID. If you have probate letters, show those; if not, at least the death certificate and perhaps a letter from a solicitor or the will naming you (if applicable). Also bring the V5C. Letter to DVLA: Write a brief letter to DVLA stating that [Name], the registered keeper of [Vehicle reg] has died, and that you have scrapped the vehicle on [date] at [scrap yard]. State your relationship and contact info. Sign it as “Executor” or “Next of kin handling estate”. V5C completion: Fill out the V5C’s scrap section with the scrap yard details. Instead of the keeper’s signature, you will sign and write something like “(keeper deceased) – signed by [Your Name], executor”. Include the letter (from step 5) and the death certificate copy when sending to DVLA. Keep copies of everything. Scrap process: Proceed with scrapping like normal. The scrap yard will issue a Certificate of Destruction (likely in the deceased’s name but that’s okay). Payment for the scrap can be made to “The Estate of [Name]” or to you – often it’s a small sum, so this usually isn’t contentious, but legally it belongs to the estate. Deposit it into the estate funds if formal, or use it as agreed among heirs if informal. Confirmation: DVLA should update the record. They normally send any confirmation to the deceased’s address (which you hopefully can monitor). Since you provided proof of death, they may simply update without further contact, or send an acknowledgment. Keep the CoD and any DVLA letter for estate records.

Sources & References

  • GOV.UK – DVLA Scrapping Process; Blackburn Scrapyard – Contact Support

Helpful External Links

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