What is a Certificate of Destruction (CoD) and do I need it when scrapping a car?

A Certificate of Destruction (CoD) is an official document issued by the DVLA through a licensed Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF) to confirm that a vehicle has been permanently scrapped. It serves as legal proof that the car is no longer on the road, has been de-registered, and is no longer your responsibility as the former keeper. While you don’t need to apply for the CoD yourself or have it in hand before scrapping the car, it is essential that the ATF issues one as part of the legal scrapping process. At blackburnscrapyard.co.uk, we ensure that every qualifying vehicle receives a CoD, and we make sure our customers are fully informed and protected.

What Exactly Is a Certificate of Destruction?

The Certificate of Destruction is a formal, DVLA-backed record that confirms a vehicle has been permanently dismantled and taken off the UK’s vehicle register. It includes key information such as:

Only licensed Authorised Treatment Facilities can issue this certificate. It’s not something you can obtain yourself, and it’s not issued in private or informal scrapping arrangements. The ATF submits the information electronically to DVLA, and the CoD is generated shortly after — typically within a few days of scrapping. Many ATFs will email you a copy or post one out if requested.

A CoD is legal proof that your vehicle was scrapped and removed from DVLA records.

It’s only issued by licensed ATFs for certain categories like cars and small vans.

It protects you from being held liable for tax, insurance, or fines after the car is scrapped.

You don’t need to apply for a CoD — the ATF issues it automatically.

When and How Is the CoD Issued?

Once you hand over your car to a licensed ATF, they notify the DVLA electronically. This action triggers the creation of a Certificate of Destruction in the DVLA system. Within a few days, the ATF should provide you with a copy of the CoD — either by email or post. If more than 7 days pass and you haven’t received anything, it’s reasonable to contact the yard and ask for confirmation.

As a general rule, a CoD is only issued when a vehicle is permanently dismantled. If the ATF chooses to repair and resell the car instead (legally allowed in certain cases), then no CoD will be generated. This can lead to confusion — you may think your car has been scrapped, but it hasn’t been “destroyed” in the eyes of the DVLA. If in doubt, always ask the scrap yard to confirm whether the vehicle is being dismantled or salvaged.

Do You Need a CoD to Scrap a Car?

Strictly speaking, you don’t need to personally receive the CoD in order to scrap your car. The ATF handles this on your behalf as part of their licensing obligations. However, it is strongly recommended that you ask for a copy for your own records. While the DVLA will log the destruction internally, having a CoD gives you immediate peace of mind and written proof that the car is no longer your legal responsibility.

Without this confirmation, you might worry about continued road tax charges, DVLA letters, or the risk that the car was never properly disposed of. In rare cases where scrapping is mishandled, the car could even resurface with your name still attached. The CoD helps close the loop.

What Happens If You Don’t Receive a CoD?

If the ATF doesn’t issue a CoD, it could be for a few reasons:

If your car fits the standard category and was supposed to be scrapped, you should receive a CoD. If it’s been more than a week and you haven’t received confirmation, contact the scrap yard and ask for an update. You can also contact DVLA directly and provide the vehicle registration and scrapping date — they’ll confirm whether a CoD was logged in their system.

Why the CoD Matters

1. Proof of Deregistration

The CoD proves that the vehicle has been removed from DVLA’s register. This means you’re no longer liable for tax, MOT, or insurance. If you ever receive correspondence about the vehicle after this point, you can use the CoD to demonstrate that you no longer own it.

2. Closure for Insurance and Finance

Some insurance companies or finance firms may ask to see a CoD before closing a file. For example, if you cancel a policy mid-term after scrapping a vehicle, they might ask for proof of destruction to finalise the refund or cancellation.

3. Personal Peace of Mind

Let’s face it — handing over your car can feel like a loose end unless you receive something formal in return. The CoD is your documented closure. You know the car is gone, the DVLA has been informed, and your obligations are over.

Keeping Your CoD Safe

Once you receive your Certificate of Destruction, save a digital copy or store the physical certificate in your vehicle file. You don’t need to show it to anyone proactively, but if there’s ever a dispute — such as receiving a fine for a car that was already scrapped — it’s your best form of evidence.

Our CoD Policy at Blackburn Scrapyard

At blackburnscrapyard.co.uk, we only work with fully licensed ATFs who issue CoDs for every qualifying vehicle. When your car is collected and dismantled, we ensure the DVLA is notified and that your CoD is generated. If you would like a copy, just ask — we’ll email or post it to you once the DVLA record is live. We never leave our customers guessing. You’ll always know your vehicle has been handled legally and properly deregistered.

We guarantee a CoD for every qualifying vehicle we scrap.

We’ll send you a digital or paper copy as soon as DVLA confirms it.

We help customers chase or verify CoDs if delays occur.

We provide full legal documentation for peace of mind and DVLA compliance.

Contact us to ask about Certificates of Destruction or check the status of your vehicle. We’re happy to help.

Useful Resources

Want to ensure your car is fully deregistered? Talk to our team — we’ll issue your Certificate of Destruction and handle everything properly from start to finish.

Legal Context

A Certificate of Destruction is generated when an ATF completes the scrapping of certain vehicles (cars, light vans, and 3-wheeled motor vehicles). It’s a digital record sent to DVLA, and often a copy is made available to the last owner. The CoD includes the vehicle details, the date of destruction, and the ATF’s information. Legally, the CoD is the conclusive proof that the vehicle is destroyed and that DVLA has been notified accordingly. As a private individual, you don’t apply for a CoD – the scrapping company does this through the DVLA’s system when they dismantle the car. You are entitled to a copy. For the owner, having a CoD is very reassuring because it means DVLA has registered the car as destroyed (so no further tax or registration liability). In terms of requirement: you don’t need to have a CoD in hand to scrap the car (the ATF handles it), but it is something you should ensure is issued. If an ATF scraps your car and doesn’t issue a CoD (for example, if they decide to repair or sell it instead), then the car isn’t officially “destroyed” in DVLA’s system, and you would not get a CoD.

Why This Matters

Owners often are unsure what paperwork they should get after scrapping. Not receiving a CoD can cause anxiety – “Is my car definitely off the records?” People might confuse the CoD with the letter from DVLA; sometimes DVLA will send a confirmation letter if they’re notified through other means, which is different but serves a similar purpose (for the owner’s peace of mind). Another pain point: some scrap yards don’t automatically send the CoD to the owner unless asked, or they might email it. Owners may have to chase up for it. Without it, one might worry about future fines or someone cloning the vehicle identity.

Quick Step-by-Step Summary

  • Definition: Understand that a Certificate of Destruction (CoD) is an official confirmation from DVLA that the vehicle has been scrapped by an Authorised Treatment Facility. It’s usually a one-page certificate (often provided electronically). Issuance: Only ATFs can issue a CoD. When you hand over your car to be scrapped, the ATF updates the DVLA system, and a CoD is generated typically within a few days. They should either give you a printout or send you a copy (sometimes via email or post) within 7 days. Coverage: The CoD is only mandatory to be issued for certain vehicle categories (cars, light vans, etc.). If you scrap a heavier vehicle, you might not get a CoD, but for almost all standard cars you will. Why you need it: As the former owner, the CoD is your proof that you are no longer responsible. It shows the car is off the road and deregistered. While DVLA will have this electronically, keeping the CoD is wise in case any dispute arises (e.g., a parking ticket issued after the car was scrapped – you can use the CoD to prove it wasn’t yours). Not having a CoD: If, for some reason, you don’t receive a CoD, follow up with the scrap yard. It could be that the vehicle wasn’t categorised as scrap (maybe they chose to repair it, in which case no CoD is issued because the car isn’t destroyed). If no CoD is forthcoming, ensure you at least have notified DVLA via the V5C or letter about the transfer to the scrap yard, so you have DVLA’s confirmation letter. Keep it safe: If you do get a CoD, file it with your records. You typically won’t need to show it to anyone proactively, but it’s your evidence of proper disposal. Insurance companies sometimes ask if you have it when cancelling a policy mid-term (to confirm the car is scrapped).

Sources & References

  • GOV.UK – Where you can scrap your vehicle; GOV.UK – Example Certificate of Destruction

Helpful External Links

  • https://www.gov.uk/scrapped-vehicle, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/certificate-of-destruction-example