Is there any fee or cost to scrap a car legally?

Scrapping your car doesn’t have to cost a thing — in fact, in most cases, you’ll actually get paid. When scrapped legally through a licensed Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF), a complete end-of-life vehicle is usually worth its weight in recyclable metal and parts. That’s why reputable yards don’t charge you to take it away — they make their money from the car itself. At blackburnscrapyard.co.uk, we offer free collections and pay competitive rates for scrap vehicles across Lancashire. Here’s everything you need to know about the real cost (or lack thereof) of scrapping a car in the UK.

Is There a Fee to Scrap a Car?

No — there’s usually no fee at all. Most licensed scrap yards won’t charge you to scrap a standard, complete vehicle. Instead, they’ll pay you the market scrap value based on:

There’s no DVLA fee, no government charge, and no paperwork processing fee when scrapping through an ATF. Notifying DVLA and receiving your Certificate of Destruction (CoD) are also completely free.

Scrapping a car at an ATF is usually free and you get paid the vehicle’s scrap value.

There are no charges from DVLA for processing notifications or documents.

Most scrap yards offer free vehicle collection as part of the service.

If your car is complete and accessible, there should be no cost to you.

Do Scrap Yards Really Pay Me?

Yes. Even a non-runner or MOT failure has value to a licensed scrap yard. They’ll pay you based on the vehicle’s weight and condition. Payments are made via bank transfer or cheque (cash is not legal in England and Wales under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013).

Payment is usually arranged on the day of collection or shortly after processing. You should never be asked to pay anything upfront or on the day — unless your vehicle is an unusual edge case (more on that below).

Free Collection Is the Industry Standard

In the vast majority of cases, the scrap yard will collect your vehicle free of charge. This includes:

At blackburnscrapyard.co.uk, free collection is always included — we send a recovery truck, handle the paperwork, and take the vehicle legally and safely to an ATF.

When Might There Be a Cost?

There are a few rare exceptions where a scrap yard may charge a small handling or recovery fee. These situations include:

1. Incomplete or Gutted Vehicles

If your car is missing critical components like the engine, gearbox, wheels, or large sections of bodywork, its scrap value may be close to zero. In such cases, the scrap yard may ask for a collection or disposal fee to cover transport and time — this can range from £50 to £100 depending on the condition and location.

2. Hard-to-Reach Locations

If your vehicle is trapped in a tight alleyway, a locked car park, or a non-driveable position that requires specialist equipment or winching, some yards may charge a recovery surcharge. This is uncommon, but worth asking upfront.

3. Abandoned Shells or Burnouts

Burnt-out or stripped vehicle shells are very difficult to recycle and have no resale or processing value. If the vehicle has been abandoned and stripped by thieves or weathered over time, some yards may refuse to take it — or may charge a removal fee.

Avoiding Hidden Fees

If a scrap dealer asks for a fee and your car is mostly intact, it’s worth calling around for other quotes. Competitive ATFs often take cars free of charge — even non-runners — and will still pay you something based on the value of the metal. Don't accept the first lowball offer or agree to fees without comparing alternatives.

Always ask the following before you confirm a collection:

Do You Pay for Paperwork or a Certificate of Destruction?

No — all documentation involved in legal car scrapping is provided free of charge. The ATF will issue a Certificate of Destruction (CoD) within 7 days and submit it to DVLA. There is no admin fee, no processing charge, and you are not required to fill in any government forms beyond notifying DVLA (which is also free).

We help our customers fill out their V5C slip (or complete the online process), and we never charge for this assistance.

What About Replacing a V5C Logbook?

The only fee that may arise indirectly is if you’ve lost your V5C (logbook) and want to order a replacement from DVLA. This is optional for scrapping — you can legally scrap without the logbook — but if you choose to order one, DVLA charges £25.

We usually advise customers to scrap without replacing the V5C and instead send a letter to DVLA with the scrap details (we’ll help you do that). That way, you avoid the cost entirely.

Environmental Disposal Costs?

No — you will not be charged an “environmental fee” for safe disposal. ATFs are licensed and regulated to handle vehicle fluids (oil, fuel, brake fluid, batteries) as part of their business model. They do not pass those costs onto the owner. You might have heard of disposal charges for tyres or fridges — but cars are handled differently. A standard scrap car does not incur environmental disposal fees.

Our Free Service Guarantee

At blackburnscrapyard.co.uk, we guarantee the following with every scrap collection:

Free vehicle collection from anywhere in our coverage area.

Instant quote based on real-time scrap market rates.

No hidden charges — ever.

Payment by bank transfer or cheque, no cash, fully legal.

Get in touch to arrange your free scrap vehicle collection — no fees, no stress, just fast and legal car recycling.

Useful Resources

Still unsure if you’ll be charged? Talk to our team — we’ll confirm your vehicle’s value and guarantee zero hidden fees.

Legal Context

There’s no government fee to scrap a car. Authorised Treatment Facilities are allowed to profit from the scrap metal and parts, so they typically do not charge owners for taking a complete end-of-life vehicle – it’s in their interest to receive it. Many will even collect the car for free. Legally, since cash payments are banned, payment is via cheque or bank transfer, but you still get paid the car’s scrap value. The scrap value depends on metal prices, weight, and any reusable parts. If a car is absolutely gutted (stripped of valuable parts), an ATF might not profit and could charge a fee – this is a business decision, not a legal one. The DVLA itself does not charge anything for the process (notification is free, CoD is free). One potential cost: if you choose to get a duplicate V5C because you lost it, DVLA charges £25 – but that’s ancillary to scrapping. The core scrapping transaction should not cost the owner money under normal circumstances.

Why This Matters

Owners sometimes worry “Do I have to pay the scrap yard?” or “It’s going to cost me to dispose of my car.” This might come from confusion with other disposal services (like council charges to remove abandoned cars, or disposal fees for other items). The relief is finding out you usually get paid. However, pain points include: if the car is very far gone (burned out shell), some places might only take it with a fee – the owner might have to shop around. Also, if the car is in a location that’s hard to access, a scrap company might charge for extra winching or difficult removal. Another aspect: unscrupulous scrap collectors could try to charge a “collection fee” and give a very low or zero payment – owners should know that a complete car has monetary value and they can often get a better deal.

Quick Step-by-Step Summary

  • Expect payment, not a bill: When scrapping a normal complete car, the scrap yard will assess its scrap value (based on weight/market rates) and offer you that amount. They will not charge you a fee for processing – the process is usually cost-neutral or profitable for you. Free collection: Most licensed scrap services include free collection/towing of the vehicle. Confirm this when booking – “free pickup” is standard in the industry for end-of-life cars because the scrap value covers it. No DVLA charges: Notifying DVLA and obtaining the Certificate of Destruction costs nothing. There’s no administration fee from the government side. Exceptions (incomplete cars): If your car is missing key components (engine, gearbox, etc.), its scrap metal value is much lower. In such cases, a yard might offer little to no money, and a few might ask for a small fee to cover towing or handling. For example, if only a shell remains, you might be charged a removal fee (perhaps £50–£100) by some operators. This varies – many ATFs will still take it free, but it’s something to ask about. Shop around if asked for a fee: If one breaker quotes a collection charge for a mostly-complete car, it’s worth calling another. Competitive scrap buyers often still take it free unless truly valueless. Paperwork and payment mode: You won’t pay anything for paperwork. Instead, after the car is picked up, you’ll receive your payment. Remember it must be non-cash (cheque or bank transfer). If they give you cash, that’s technically illegal (in England/Wales) – but no extra cost to you either way, it’s just the law to avoid cash. Environmental fee? Some owners ask if there’s an environmental disposal fee (like you might pay a tyre disposal fee at a garage). For cars, the answer is no – ATFs handle fluids and recycling as part of their business, not charging the last owner separately.

Sources & References

  • GOV.UK – Scrapping cost guidance; Auto Trader – Scrap value and pricing info

Helpful External Links

  • https://www.gov.uk/scrapped-vehicle, https://www.autotrader.co.uk/content/advice/how-much-is-my-scrap-car-worth