As the UK’s number one scrap price comparison service, we have access to a whole host of data and insights – from the cars that are getting scrapped the most, the cars that gain the largest financial return, and the reasons people are scrapping their cars in the first place.
Rather than keeping this data to ourselves, we’ve made it available to anyone interested in this aspect of motoring within the UK. However, beyond revealing the makes and models hitting scrap yards the most, we’ve also tapped into data gained via freedom of information (FOI) requests to the likes of the DVLA and DfT, as well as data from Google and an independent survey.
This all provides an even more rounded view of road use within the UK and what happens after a car is no longer fit to be driven. Complete with expert advice from the Scrap Car Comparison team, read on for all the insights!
What the report covers:
- Why do people scrap their vehicles?
- What cars get scrapped the most?
- The average financial return of scrapping a car
- What cars get salvaged the most?
- Which salvaged cars are most in demand?
- Why do people SORN their cars?
- How many cars are SORN each year in the UK?
- How much of a car is recycled?
- How many car accidents happen each year?
- How many people know what to do in an accident?
Why Do People Scrap Their Vehicles?
There comes a point when every car owner will decide that their car has done its time with them, whether it’s coming to the end of its life due to age, mileage and becoming increasingly unreliable, or is being replaced by something newer or more suited to the owner’s needs.
It’s natural that anyone would want to get the best pay out for their vehicle when they move it on, which may often be in the form of selling it privately, to a dealership, perhaps as a part exchange for a newer vehicle, or to a car-buying service provider. However, if a car is near the end of its life and the maintenance or repair costs are at a point that’s higher than its sale value, sending a car to scrap or for salvage may be the most cost-effective option.
The price quoted for any scrap vehicles is purely based on the weight and parts of the model, regardless of whether the vehicle itself is fully functional, so owners may be able to get a better price for the vehicle than they may expect.
The following issues are among those that are most likely to send a car to the scrap heap according to our experts:
- Engine issues
- Gearbox issues
- Excessive rust
- Mould or water damage
- Serious electrical issues
- Collision damage
However, David Kottaun, Operations Manager here at Scrap Car Comparison explains that damage can also be a leading reason for a car heading to scrap: “The cost of repairs outweighing the value of a vehicle is a primary reason why cars end up on the scrap heap, but these repairs can come from damage sustained in a crash as well as from wear and tear with high age or mileage. Flood water is another way that a car can sustain damage of this level – with our winters in the UK wetter than ever, many locations are now flooding much more frequently, or for the first time, which can catch car owners out if their vehicle is parked in these areas.”
For those who simply want to move their car on quickly, scrapping or sending a car to salvage can be a more effective option than selling, as the process is much more convenient and straightforward for the owner – there’s no need to give the car a deep clean, take time to snap appealing photos for an advert or spend time haggling with potential buyers. Many people may often think that scrapping is only for cars that are no longer functional, but it is often done with fully working cars as a result of the time saved too.
In the case of fully functioning vehicles, scrappage schemes such as that introduced by the Mayor of London are now frequently utilised by those who may live in an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), as they offer the chance for car owners to scrap their non-ULEZ compliant vehicles in return for grants that would help them to switch to cleaner modes of transport instead.
If you feel like your vehicle could fall under one of the reasons outlined above, or you want to find out more about when scrapping could be the best way to move on your vehicle, we have a blog post on the topic that could help you find out more.
What Cars Get Scrapped The Most?
- The Ford Focus is the most scrapped car model in the UK
- The most scrapped brand in the UK for 2024 is Vauxhall, followed by Ford and Volkswagen
- The average mileage covered of cars scrapped this year was 123,359 miles
- On average, cars are 17 years old when they head to the scrap heap
In keeping with previous years, we’ve once again taken a deep dive into our data for all the cars we’ve helped to scrap this year, to reveal some of the key metrics surrounding the vehicles that have reached the end of their life. As is tradition, we’ve named the most scrapped makes and models of the year – and taken a look at how these differ to years gone by, however we’ve also looked at how many miles these cars have covered and how many years they’ve been on the road.
The Average Mileage Of A Scrapped Car
Mileage, over age, is the main thing that drivers should keep an eye on when it comes to owning a vehicle or looking to buy a new one. Generally speaking, higher mileage comes hand in hand with increased levels of wear and tear, which will result in parts needing to be replaced, and the car potentially becoming more unreliable as these parts wear through.
However, the make and model of a car will also affect how it handles mileage, with some brands much hardier than others, while the driving conditions (eg. stop-start city traffic versus motorway driving), and how a car has been maintained throughout its life will also have an impact.
There are some key parts that should be replaced when certain mileage milestones are reached, such as the cambelt at 60,000 miles, while the suspension, break pads, gear box and engine should all be monitored closely for any parts that may need refreshing.
Generally speaking, a car can be considered as ‘high mileage’ if it’s done in excess of 10,000 miles per year, though a mileage of over 100,000 miles regardless of age is also seen as high. David explains how this relates to our own data: “Using the figure of 100,000 miles to indicate ‘high mileage’ tallies up fairly well with the cars that we’re seeing hit the scrap heap through our service, with cars we’re receiving having covered around 123,359 miles on average. It is a little hard to comprehend how many miles that really is, so to give you a comparison, it’s the equivalent of driving around the world along the equator, almost five times over!
“However, we also process cars with much higher mileage than this – in the millions of miles, in fact – which means that many cars have driven the equivalent of the 238,855 miles from Earth to the Moon, and back again, in some cases!”
The Average Age Of A Scrapped Car
As we’ve already mentioned, mileage is one of the biggest things to keep an eye on with a vehicle, but age is another and the two often go hand in hand. In general, cars are seen as ‘old’ when they hit the 10 year mark in many cases, though again, this does depend on the make and model – not to mention, a well maintained older car may be more reliable than a poorly cared for car that’s been on the road for much less time!
Once again, this tallies up with our data, as the average age of cars scrapped by us this year is 17 years old. However, we do receive cars of any age – this calendar year we scrapped more than 100 cars that were less than a year old, that may well have been involved in crashes which caused them to be written-off, rather than due to mechanical failures. At the other end of the scale, we also had two cars that were originally registered in 1970, making them 54 years old at the time of scrapping!
The Most Scrapped Car Models
As well as keeping track of the age and mileage of cars, we can also announce the most scrapped car model of the year, following on from our previous instalments, revealing that the Ford Focus has again taken the top spot.
The top 10 most scrapped car models in 2024:
| Rank | Car Model | % of Vehicles Scrapped |
| 1 | Ford Focus | 6.3% |
| 2 | Vauxhall Astra | 5.6% |
| 3 | Vauxhall Corsa | 4.8% |
| 4 | Ford Fiesta | 4.4% |
| 5 | Volkswagen Golf | 2.5% |
| 6 | Renault Clio | 2.5% |
| 7 | Vauxhall Zafira | 2.3% |
| 8 | Mini Hatch (Cooper/One) | 2.2% |
| 9 | Peugeot 207 | 2.0% |
| 10 | Volkswagen Polo | 1.7% |
Source: Internal Scrap Car Comparison data
Following on from previous years, the Ford Focus is again the most scrapped of any model this year, making up 6.3% of all vehicles we’ve scrapped – nearly a 2% increase from 2023’s numbers. Again, the rest of the top five vehicles remains consistent from previous years, though the Astra has pipped the Corsa to second place this year, making up 5.6% of all vehicles we’ve scrapped.
The Mini Hatch (Cooper/One) has again placed in the top 10, after first appearing in the list in 2022, though the BMW 3 Series which placed in seventh last year has dropped out of the top flight for 2024, as has the Ford Transit which previously placed in sixth. As a result, the Peugeot 207 and Volkswagen Polo have claimed the remaining two spaces in the top 10 for 2024.
The Most Scrapped Car Makes
As well as the most scrapped models, we can also reveal the most scrapped car manufacturers – a title that was claimed by Ford last year.
The top 10 most scrapped car manufacturers:
| Rank | Car Make | % of Vehicles Scrapped |
| 1 | Vauxhall | 17.26% |
| 2 | Ford | 16.82% |
| 3 | Volkswagen | 7.23% |
| 4 | Peugeot | 6.79% |
| 5 | Renault | 5.88% |
| 6 | Citroen | 4.49% |
| 7 | Nissan | 3.45% |
| 8 | BMW | 3.30% |
| 9 | Honda | 3.00% |
| 10 | Audi | 2.92% |
Source: Internal Scrap Car Comparison data
For 2024, it’s Vauxhall that has pipped Ford to the post to take the top spot, though with Volkswagen also appearing in the top three once again, there’s little changes in the top flight year to year. BMW which featured in the top 10 for the first time in 2022 has seen a drop in the number of vehicles scrapped, dropping from fifth place last year to eighth, with the percentage of the vehicles scrapped also falling by nearly 2% year-on-year. However, Renault has seen the opposite effect, climbing from sixth in last year’s table to fifth this year, slotting in behind Peugeot in fourth.
Mercedes-Benz which featured in 2022 and 2023 has dropped out of the top 10 this year, with Honda making an appearance in its place, and doing so for the first time since 2021.
The Average Financial Return of Scrapping A Car
- Range Rover is the car brand that offers the highest financial return for scrapped vehicles, at 156% more than the average return on a scrapped vehicle
- The car brand that offers the lowest value for scrap is Smart, with an average 60% lower return compared to the average when scrapping a car in the UK
- When it comes to specific models, the Smart City, Suzuki Ignis and Citroen C1 are the models that have the lowest return
- At the other end of the scale, the Range Rover Vogue, Volkswagen Touareg and BMW X5 return the best scrap value
Part of the beauty of scrapping a vehicle is how quick and straightforward the process is, with a scrap quote returned after simply filling in a form and clicking a button. Although the scrap price for a vehicle is based on its weight and parts, which directly correlates with the cost of the scrap materials, there are some cars that will provide better value than others. As David explains: “as weight is a metric used to calculate a quote price, quotes for lighter cars are inevitably lower than for heavier cars, regardless of the age of the vehicle. Similarly, the condition of the vehicle, and whether it’s roadworthy or not, will have no effect on the price either”.
The Most and Least Valuable Brands for Scrap
Looking at all of the brands we’ve come into contact with this year, Range Rover comes out on top as the most valuable car for scrap, with the average quoted price for these vehicles sat at 156% higher than average. As Range Rover models are all large, luxury SUVs and 4×4 vehicles, it makes sense that they rank so highly given that quoted prices are all linked to vehicle weight – though the average quoted price is still 20% higher than for Jeep, which places in second. Chrysler (136%) places in third, with Lexus (135%) and Jaguar (119%) completing the top five.
The car brands with the highest scrap value vs the average:
| Rank | Car Make | Variance in Quoted Price vs Average |
| 1 | Range Rover | 156% |
| 2 | Jeep | 136% |
| 3 | Chrysler | 136% |
| 4 | Lexus | 135% |
| 5 | Jaguar | 119% |
| 6 | Volvo | 118% |
| 7 | Mercedes | 118% |
| 8 | BMW | 114% |
| 9 | SAAB | 113% |
| 10 | KIA | 110% |
Source: Internal Scrap Car Comparison data
Given that we’ve said heavier cars are likely to generate higher quote costs due to their weight, we may expect some of the smallest cars on our roads to feature at the lower end of the scale; and we would be correct, with SMART brand cars seeing the lowest quoted price on average. With the city runaround vehicles known for their compact size, the quotes they receive are just 60% of the average, which is worth keeping in mind if you’re thinking of purchasing one in the future. Suzuki and Fiat follow closely in second and third places, with both brands again known for their hatchback models such as the Suzuki Swift and Fiat 500.
The car brands with the lowest scrap value vs the average:
| Rank | Car Make | Variance in Quoted Price vs Average |
| 1 | SMART | 60% |
| 2 | Suzuki | 77% |
| 3 | Fiat | 77% |
| 4 | Chevrolet | 85% |
| 5 | Mini | 87% |
| 6 | MG | 88% |
| 7 | Nissan | 91% |
| 8 | Renault | 91% |
| 9 | Rover | 93% |
| 10 | Citroen | 93% |
Source: Internal Scrap Car Comparison data
The Most and Least Valuable Models for Scrap
When it comes to the models themselves, a similar trend emerges with the Smart City revealed as the least valuable car for scrap on average according to our data. With quoted prices just 53% of the average, it’s clear that there’s not much making up this pocket-sized motor. The Suzuki Ignis follows in second place (60%), with the Citroen C1 (60%) completing the top three.
The car models with the lowest scrap value vs the average:
| Rank | Car Model | Variance in Quoted Price vs Average |
| 1 | Smart City | 53% |
| 2 | Suzuki Ignis | 60% |
| 3 | Citroen C1 | 60% |
| 4 | Chevrolet Spark | 61% |
| 5 | Peugeot 107 | 62% |
| 6 | Hyundai i10 | 64% |
| 7 | Renault Twingo | 64% |
| 8 | Suzuki Wagon | 65% |
| 8 | Ford Ka | 65% |
| 10 | Fiat Panda | 65% |
Source: Internal Scrap Car Comparison data
Looking at the models that command the highest scrap value, the top result again tallies up with the highest value brands, with quotes for the Range Rover Vogue sitting at a huge 201% of the average. Though Volkswagen didn’t rank in the highest value brands, the Touareg model takes second place at 195% with the BMW X5 ranking in third (173%).
The car models with the highest scrap value vs the average:
| Rank | Car Model | Variance in Quoted Price vs Average |
| 1 | Range Rover Vogue | 201% |
| 2 | Volkswagen Touareg | 195% |
| 3 | BMW X5 | 173% |
| 4 | Range Rover Discovery | 166% |
| 5 | Kia Sorento | 161% |
| 6 | Hyundai Santa Fe | 155% |
| 7 | Kia Sedona | 154% |
| 8 | Volvo XC90 | 153% |
| 9 | Volkswagen Sharan | 150% |
| 10 | Mercedes M-Class | 149% |
Source: Internal Scrap Car Comparison data
What Cars Get Salvaged The Most?
- The most salvaged car in the UK is the Vauxhall Corsa
- Ford is the most salvaged car brand, followed closely by Vauxhall and Volkswagen
- The average mileage of a salvaged car is around 123,366 miles
- The average age of a salvage car is 14 years old
Car salvaging has become a more widely known term in the UK over the past decade and a popular option for those looking to part ways with their vehicle, or get one at a lower price.
In short, a salvage car is a vehicle that has been written off (or is likely to be) but the damage is not bad enough for it to be destined for the scrap heap. The vehicle will therefore either have it’s parts replaced to make the car roadworthy again or will have the parts stripped to fix other vehicles.
Similar to our data around scrapping, we have also taken a deep dive into the world of salvaging, analysing everything from the average mileage and age, to the most frequently salvaged car brands.
The Average Mileage of a Salvaged Car
As discussed above, a car’s mileage is a significant milestone as it can be a good indicator for when its starting to experience wear and tear. This can often lead to mechanical failures or other issues, such as rust or water damage, that make repair costs disproportionately high compared to the vehicle’s remaining value. This can often be the point when drivers decide that salvaging might be the better option for them.
Looking at our data, the average mileage of a salvaged car is around 123,366 miles, which is almost exactly the same as the average mileage for cars that get scrapped. Highlighting that mileage isn’t the only factor at play, as a car’s condition will likely be the biggest deciding factor on whether it is fit to get be salvaged, or simply needs to scrapped.
The Average Age of a Salvaged Car
Our data shows that salvaged cars tend to be around 14-years-old. However, it’s important to recognise that the actual condition of a 14-year-old car can vary widely. For example, if a car has been well-maintained and used sparingly then it is likely to have a considerable amount of life left, while another vehicle of the same age could be near the end of its usability. Ultimately, the age of your car should serve as a general guideline to its condition, but to make an informed decision about your car’s viability, it is essential to also consider the other factors, such as mileage and overall condition..
What Cars get Salvaged the Most?
Over the past year, we have kept track of the models and brands that we salvaged, enabling us to reveal the top 10 most salvaged car models in 2024. Our ranking highlights various vehicles, from city cars to vans, many of which are popular choices for everyday drivers in the UK.
The top 10 most salvaged car models in 2024:
| Rank | Car Model | % of Vehicles Salvaged |
| 1 | Vauxhall Corsa | 4.1% |
| 2 | Ford Fiesta | 3.9% |
| 3 | Ford Focus | 3.1% |
| 4 | Volkswagen Golf | 3.0% |
| 5 | BMW 3 Series | 2.6% |
| 6 | Vauxhall Astra | 2.6% |
| 7 | Ford Transit | 1.8% |
| 8 | Vauxhall Insignia | 1.8% |
| 9 | Audi A3 | 1.8% |
| 10 | BMW 1 Series | 1.7% |
Source: Internal Scrap Car Comparison data
When looking at the models of cars that have been salvaged the most in 2024, the Vauxhall Corsa comes out on top, making up 4.1% of all vehicles salvaged, meaning that for once, the Ford Focus isn’t at the top of the list! The Corsa is closely followed in second place by the Ford Fiesta with 3.9%, while the Focus appears at third, accounting for 3.1% of salvaged vehicles in 2024.
Luxury brands such as BMW and Audi also make the top 10 rankings, with the BMW 3 Series, Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series at 2.6%, 1.8% and 1.7%, respectively. These cars are built to high standards, which means that their repair costs can quickly become very expensive, meaning a lot of owners opt for salvage instead of repairs after significant damage or road use.
Other car models that are among the most salvaged and rounding off the top 10 are the Vauxhall Astra, the Ford Transit, and the Vauxhall Insignia.
The top 10 most salvaged car manufacturers in 2024:
| Rank | Car Make | % of Vehicles Salvaged |
| 1 | Ford | 13.5% |
| 2 | Vauxhall | 12.4% |
| 3 | Volkswagen | 8.2% |
| 4 | BMW | 6.7% |
| 5 | Peugeot | 5.7% |
| 6 | Audi | 5.0% |
| 7 | Nissan | 4.4% |
| 8 | Mercedes | 4.4% |
| 9 | Citroen | 4.2% |
| 10 | Toyota | 3.8% |
Source: Internal Scrap Car Comparison data
Besides analysing the specific car models, we’ve also been keeping track of the UK’s most salvaged car brands throughout 2024, revealing that similar to scrap, Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen take the top spots as the most salvaged car brands over the last 12 months. This makes a lot of sense, as Ford and Volkswagen especially are hugely popular brands among British drivers, having the largest number of vehicle sales in the UK last year.
Which Salvaged Cars Are Most In Demand?
- BMW is revealed as the most in-demand salvaged car brand
- The Jaguar XF is the most sought after salvaged car, according to Google data
- Other desirable models include the Porsche 718 and Mini Cooper S
If it’s possible for a vehicle to be repaired and made roadworthy once more, selling it for salvage is an option as an alternative to sending it to the scrap heap – in these cases it must be declared as a category S or N to indicate that it’s suffered either structural, or non-structural, damage that can be repaired.
David explains: “For owners of vehicles that are salvageable, the best option is to sell the vehicle to a licenced salvage buyer who is well equipped to maximise the value of the car. Unlike scrap, which is purely based on weight and parts, there are lots of elements that can affect the value of a salvage vehicle, such as the make and model of the vehicle, year of registration and the condition, so it’s likely you could get more money this way, than sending it for scrap.”
This also means that for the buyer, purchasing a category S or N vehicle can also be a good way of getting a dream model for a fraction of the price.
As with last year’s report, we’ve once again analysed the number of Google searches for salvaged car makes and models over the past year and can now reveal which are the most in demand from buyers in the UK.
The Most In Demand Salvage Car Brands
Looking at Google searches for salvage cars over the past 12 months, BMW stands proud as the most in-demand brand, with 2,760 searches for salvage related terms for the brand in the UK in 2024. With BMW models starting from £31,000 (BMW 1 Series) when new, to over £164,000 for top range models such as the BMW i7 M70 xDrive, it’s clear that there’s money to be made (or saved) in salvage for those who are in the know.
Audi follows closely behind, tied with Ferrari and Porsche, with 2,280 annual searches for damaged versions of the vehicles. Mercedes, Mini, Land Rover, Aston Martin and Ford also rank among the top 10.
The top 10 most in demand salvaged makes:
| Rank | Car Make | UK Search Volume (December 2023 – November 2024) |
| 1 | BMW | 2,760 |
| 2 | Audi | 2,280 |
| 3 | Ferrari | 2,280 |
| 4 | Porsche | 2,280 |
| 5 | Mercedes | 1,920 |
| 6 | Mini | 1,320 |
| 7 | Land Rover | 1,080 |
| 8 | Aston Martin | 840 |
| 9 | Ford | 720 |
| 10 | Toyota | 720 |
Source: Google Keyword Planner. We compiled a list of more than 250 different car models, and analysed their UK search volume between December 2023 and November 2024 for salvage related search terms.
The Most In Demand Salvage Car Models
When it comes to specific models, the Jaguar XF topped the charts as the most in demand salvage car for 2024, with 1,920 average annual searches for the salvaged model. With Jaguar transitioning to an electric future for the brand, the XF model, along with the XE, F-Type, I-Pace and E-Pace, was discontinued this year, so their popularity in salvage may be as a result of fans of the model scrambling to get their hands on one while they still can.
The Porsche 718 follows in second with 1,680 searches for salvaged versions of the model made in 2024. Like the Jaguar XF, the Boxster and Cayman models of the 718 with internal combustion engines ceased to be sold in Europe over the summer, though are currently still available in the UK, suggesting an on-going trend of discontinued vehicles being popular for salvage.
The Mini Cooper S and Audi A3 rank tied in third position, alongside the Ford Ranger, with 1,320 average annual searches apiece, and are the most popular of the ‘non luxury’ vehicles for salvage from our analysis.
The top 10 most in demand salvaged models:
| Rank | Car Model | UK Search Volume (December 2023 – November 2024) |
| 1 | Jaguar XF | 1,920 |
| 2 | Porsche 718 | 1,680 |
| 3 | Mini Cooper S | 1,320 |
| 4 | Ford Ranger | 1,320 |
| 5 | Audi A3 | 1,320 |
| 6 | Mini Cooper | 1,200 |
| 7 | Audi R8 | 1,080 |
| 8 | Ford Focus | 1,080 |
| 9 | Fiat 500 | 1,080 |
| 10 | BMW X5 | 960 |
Source: Google Keyword Planner. We compiled a list of more than 250 different car models, and analysed their UK search volume between December 2023 and November 2024 for salvage related search terms.
Why Do People SORN Their Cars?
A SORN, or Statutory Off Road Notification is a legal notification you can make to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) when you want to formally declare a car as being off the road. The main benefit of declaring a SORN is that you’ll no longer be required to pay any tax on the vehicle, as it is then registered as being not in use – though this does mean that the vehicle must be kept on private land and will also not be liable for insurance.
Common situations where obtaining a SORN is required include:
- Your vehicle is untaxed
- You have acquired a vehicle that will not be driven (Note: A SORN does not transfer between owners. If you purchase a vehicle that has an existing SORN, you’ll need to apply for a new one after the vehicle is registered in your name)
- Your vehicle doesn’t have insurance coverage
- You intend to break the vehicle down for parts before scrapping it
Some people may also choose to apply for a SORN for personal reasons, such as:
- Taking an extended break from driving, for example during a long trip or temporary relocation
- Leaving a vehicle inactive due to failed MOT repairs, sometimes because the cost of fixing it is being put off for financial reasons
When a SORN is in place, the vehicle cannot be driven or used on public roads. The sole exception is driving to a pre-booked MOT appointment; if you are caught driving a vehicle with an active SORN under any other circumstances, you could face fines of up to £2,500.
The rising cost of vehicle repairs and insurance has led many owners to SORN their cars as a cost-saving measure. Declaring a vehicle off the road eliminates the need to pay vehicle tax or insurance while the car is out of use, however if doing this, it’s essential to store the vehicle on private property as it cannot legally remain on public roads.
David comments: “Applying for a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) is completely free and can be done through the DVLA via three methods: online on the government’s website, by calling 0300 123 4321, or by posting a completed V890 form to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AR. You can choose when the SORN takes effect: either immediately using the 11-digit number from your V5C logbook, or from the start of the next month using the 16-digit number on your tax reminder letter. Confirmation typically arrives within four weeks via email or letter, and you might be eligible for a tax refund on any unused period of tax.”
How Many Cars Are SORN Each Year In The UK?
- 2,677,490 cars have been SORN in 2024
- Most cars are SORN in October
Looking at the data (which was obtained from an FOI request to the Department for Transport) from January to October, we can see that a total of 2,677,490 cars were put under SORN notifications during this period in 2024 – a 12% increase compared to the same timeframe in 2023.
October was the biggest month for SORNs within this period, with just over 360,500 cars registered as being off the road in the tenth month of the year. However, April is the month with the biggest year-on-year change, with 47% more cars put under SORN notices in April 2024 versus 2023. February and September were also big months for SORNs in comparison to last year, with a 35% and 30% increase for each month respectively.
At the other end of the scale, a 3% decrease in the number of vehicles notified as SORN were declared in June, July and October in 2024 versus last year’s statistics.
Number of SORN vehicles by month from January to October in 2023 and 2024:
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Total |
| 2023 | 248k | 206k | 228k | 188k | 236k | 211k | 216k | 234k | 245k | 372k | 2.385m |
| 2024 | 286k | 279k | 238k | 276k | 237k | 204k | 252k | 228k | 318k | 361k | 2,677m |
| % change | 15% | 35% | 4% | 47% | 0.3% | -3% | 16% | -3% | 30% | -3% | 12% |
Source: A Freedom of Information request to the DVLA in October 2024
How Much Of A Car Is Recycled?
Did you know that nearly every part of your car can be recycled, not just the metal? Through the car recycling process, materials such as glass, fabric, plastics, and metal are separated for recycling – much like sorting through your household recyclables. These materials are then repurposed, either for use in the automotive industry or entirely different sectors, giving them a whole new lease of life.
The car recycling process is a complicated one, but highly beneficial for the planet and for scrap and salvage businesses too. By extracting higher-quality materials from your vehicle, they can generate more profit, allowing them to pass some of the value back to you when purchasing your old car from you.
Breaking down the car recycling process
- Salvaging useable parts: The first step of the car recycling process involves removing reusable parts, such as engines or transmissions, which can be directly sold or refurbished for future use.
- De-pollution: All potentially hazardous substances, including fuel, coolant, and oil, are carefully extracted. Batteries are also removed and disposed of properly to avoid harm to the environment.
- Shredding and separation: Once de-polluted, the car is shredded into smaller pieces, which are sent along a conveyor belt. Magnets pull out metal components, which make up the majority of the car’s mass. The remaining materials such as plastics, glass, and fabrics are separated using vacuums and a process known as heavy media separation or dense media separation (DMS). This process uses water to distinguish materials by weight, however plastics unfortunately don’t float and therefore require further processing.
- Recycling and repurposing: Any leftover plastic is transformed into pellets for future use while lighter materials, such as fabrics, are repurposed or in some cases turned into gas for energy production.
Legal standards for car recycling in the UK
There are recycling regulations in place in the UK which ensure that scrapped vehicles are handled responsibly. In the UK, for example, the End of Life Vehicles Directive states that at least 95% of a car’s mass must be recycled. When vehicles are sent to be recycled, they are sent to Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs) – licensed facilities which are equipped to safely manage hazardous materials such as oils, coolants, batteries and other materials commonly found in the vehicle recycling process. Once a vehicle has successfully completed the vehicle recycling process, ATFs will issue what is called a Certificate of Destruction (CoD) as proof of compliance.
Similar regulations are in place for the recycling of electric vehicles (EVs), as the recycling of EV batteries remains a challenge. Due to the costs involved, many companies only recycle EV batteries when it is economically viable, however, the EU Battery Directive requires at least 50% of battery materials to be recycled – a goal that is relatively easy to achieve during the EV recycling process, due to the recyclability of wiring and other internal components.
Five facts about car recycling:
- Every year, 27 million cars are recycled globally.
- Over 25 million tons of materials are recycled annually from old vehicles worldwide.
- Automobiles are the most recycled consumer product globally.
- All kinds of materials can be produced from car recycling. Car tyres can be turned into sports pitches or children’s playgrounds; clothing can be made from recycled interiors; plastics found in a vehicle’s dashboard can be turned into garden furniture.
- The car recycling industry in the UK was valued at 1.81 billion dollars (1.42 billion pounds) in 2023, and the market size is expected to reach 2.96 billion dollars by 2033.
Sources:
- https://www.liveabout.com/auto-recycling-facts-and-figures-2877933
- https://www.scrapcarcomparison.co.uk/scrap/car-recycling/
- https://www.cartakeback.com/blog/in-the-know/recycling-facts-and-stats-from-around-the-world/
- https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/95207/car-recycling-how-much-of-your-old-car-is-reused https://www.slrecyclingltd.co.uk/scrap-car-recycling-everything-you-need-to-know-about-scrap-car-recycling/
- https://www.sphericalinsights.com/reports/united-kingdom-vehicle-recycling-market
How Many Car Accidents Happen Each Year?
- More than 100,000 road traffic accidents take place each year
- Someone is killed or seriously injured every 17 minutes on UK roads
As we’ve established, a key reason cars end up getting scrapped or salvaged is often due to damage caused by a collision. An unfortunate reality of driving, government data shows that 104,258 road serious traffic accidents took place in 2022. That’s 286 accidents each day – a number that becomes an even more sobering reality, with data from our charity partner Brake showing that someone is killed or seriously injured on UK roads every 17 minutes.
This all highlights just how important it is to prioritise safety whenever you’re driving, no matter whether you’re popping to the shops, or embarking on a lengthy journey.
If you, or someone you know requires support as a result of a car crash, visit Brake to find out how they can help.
Sources: November 2024 Freedom of Information request to the Department for Transport, and Brake
How Many People Know What To Do In A Road Accident?
- More than 3 million people don’t know what to do in the event of a road accident
- 1 in 10 people don’t know who their insurance or roadside assistance provider is
- 61% of people don’t know the contact details of their car insurer
- 41% of people don’t know the contact details of their roadside assistance provider
Being involved in a road traffic accident is something none of us want to experience, however looking at how many take place on our roads each year, it can be unavoidable. Be it due to adverse weather, another road user or a car fault, many collisions are out of our control, meaning that while we can’t prepare for what might happen while driving, we can prepare for any eventuality.
We surveyed the nation’s drivers to find out how many of us are familiar with the correct steps to take if we are ever caught in an accident, and while the vast majority feel that they at least have an idea of what to do, 6% of drivers don’t. A number that rises to 20% in the event of a write off.
While this 6% might sound like an insignificant number, when weighing it up against the 52 million licence holders in the UK, this equates to more than three million drivers that aren’t sure about the actions they could take, to on one hand ensure the safety of themselves and other drivers, but also to ensure the scene is documented properly for insurance purposes.
1 in 10 drivers can’t recall who their car is insured with
On the point of insurance, a concerning number of drivers don’t actually know who their current insurer is, or what their contact details are. 1 in 10 can’t recall who their car is insured with, and a huge 61% don’t know the contact details for their insurer.
Both essential pieces of information when it comes to an accident, it might seem like more admin, but when renewing your insurance annually, it’s well worth saving your insurer’s details in your phone, so they’re easily to hand.
Over 1 in 3 drivers don’t know the contact details for their roadside assistance provider
What can be more important in the immediate aftermath of an accident or a breakdown however, is being able to get in touch with your roadside assistance provider. Offered on most insurance policies, it’s troubling that the same number of drivers (1 in 10) also can’t recall who they would reach out to for roadside assistance, if caught in a bump or with a faulty car. A further 41% don’t know the contact details for them, which is a serious concern as many roads still have patchy internet reception, making it all the more important to have these details saved to your phone.
Source: 2024 survey to 1,391 drivers
It’s clear then that there is a lot of uncertainty across the UK, when it comes to what to do in the event of an accident or breakdown and beyond that, who to contact. Of course, road accidents have varying levels of severity, and it is not always possible to follow these steps, however as a general rule of thumb, it is worth considering the following measures:
- Ensure safety: Most importantly, safety should always be the first step. If the accident is minor and you can do so safely, move your vehicle to the side of the road to prevent further accidents. Make sure to turn your hazard lights on – this helps to alert other drivers to the situation.
- Call for help: Once you are aware of the condition of everyone involved in the accident, call 999 to alert emergency services. For minor accidents or bumps, consider just calling your breakdown provider. They will be able to help you if your car is damaged, and you are unable to move it.
- Document the scene: Collect information and take pictures of the scene to document the damage. If the accident involves another driver, collect their name, contact information, insurance details, license plate number, and vehicle make/model. If anyone witnessed the accident, politely ask for their contact details in case their statements are needed later.
- Report the accident: Accidents with injuries or significant damage must be reported to the police and they’ll create a report, which can be helpful for insurance claims. Ensure to contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to report the accident and share the documentation you gathered from it.
David says: “After following the above steps, you might find yourself considering what to do with a crashed or damaged vehicle. If you are looking to sell, there are several options to consider. One of the options are salvage yards, which usually purchase cars primarily for their parts and metal value. These businesses often accept severely damaged or unfixable cars”.
“Alternatively, some dealerships also accept damaged vehicles as trade-ins or direct sales. Lastly, if you do have some mechanical knowledge, it is also possible to remove and sell valuable parts like the engine, transmission, or electronics separately”.
Looking for further motoring advice?
We’ve reached the close of our annual review of insights around the motoring world and scrap industry, however if you are in search of more research or expert advice, visit our blog. Alternatively, if you are searching for how much you could get when scrapping your car, gain a car scrap quote here.
About the Data in This Report
The data in this report compiles data from a variety of sources that include Google, the DVLA, external surveys and our own internal car scrap and salvage data. Beneath each data insight, a source detailing how the data was gained/analysed can be found, however if you have any questions on any of our findings, please contact: [email protected]
