Scrap Cars For Cash

How to Scrap Your Car for Cash

It was only a short while ago that scrapping your car would cost you money; however, as the need for scrap metal has changed, so has the industry. Now you’re the one getting money when selling your vehicle for scrap.

A popular misconception is that car scrapping is only for junk vehicles, those which have been in accidents, failed their MOT and are uneconomical to repair or non-runners. However, the reality is that there are numerous reasons you may consider scrapping as a way to dispose of your vehicle, and whether you’re looking to clear out some valuable parking space or upgrade your vehicle for a more environmentally-friendly model, scrapping your car can be a time-efficient and financially rewarding way to do it.

There are instances where people have been known to sell their cars for parts themselves; however, this can take an increasing amount of time and effort and not everybody has the resources or space available for selling those parts. Using an online comparison service, such as ours, can be a much smoother and more beneficial option for removing your unwanted vehicle and looking at what monetary value you may receive in return.

Getting The Best Deal For Your Scrap

Back in the day, you would have to trawl through pages upon pages of free ads to find somebody to purchase your scrap or junk car. However, nowadays it’s as simple as typing ‘How to scrap my car for cash’ into a search engine, sitting back and waiting for the relevant options to roll in. The internet has enabled companies to be available at your fingertips within seconds, but just because your options are all in one place doesn’t mean it’s any easier to choose which company to sell your scrap vehicle to.

We’ve heard of instances where a person has sold a vehicle but the paperwork had been improperly completed. Months later they received speeding tickets and parking fines for a vehicle which was supposed to have been taken off the road and scrapped. So how do you narrow down the search results to enable you to find a company which can be trusted?

The companies available through our service are made up of specialist scrap and salvage vehicle buyers, breakers and registered Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATF) and their coverage spans across the nation to ensure no postcode is left uncovered. We know that researching companies can be a long and monotonous task, trawling through online listings and trying to find which is the most reputable company to take your vehicle off your hands… Which is why we’ve created a much simpler service. Here at Scrap Car Comparison we have used our years of experience in the industry to design a service which enables you to get your vehicle valued instantly by the most trusted and reputable buyers around. But you don’t just have to take our word for it.

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve gathered some of the most common questions our customers ask below, you can also find a full list of questions answered in detail on our FAQ page.

When Do I Get Paid?

All payments are made on the day of collection. Once the collector has inspected your vehicle to ensure that the condition of your scrap car matches the details given to us during the quotation stage, you should call us to confirm the details and once this has been done, payment will be made.

Will You Pay Me In Cash?

Unfortunately it is illegal to do so. This is because scrap metal dealers must be able to convey a named cheque or printed receipt of the transaction which was made. There must also be a record of the person who made the transaction. If no proof can be shown in relation to the transaction then it will be rendered as incomplete and considered an offence under section two of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act (SMDA). This was brought in to combat scrap metal theft and rogue traders, as a result, paying for scrap vehicles in cash has been illegal in the UK since the 1st of October 2013.

If a particular trader is willing to break the law by offering or making untraceable payments in cash, you have to ask yourself what else they could be doing which is illegal. Using trusted traders is paramount to your safety which is why we strictly adhere to the law and ensure that all of our buyers operate with the appropriate payments for your vehicle.

How Do I Get Paid?

You will receive the money for your scrap car by either BACS or business cheque. Unfortunately no payments can be made in physical cash, as mentioned above. It is illegal to hand over physical cash for scrap metal. Please note that this only relates to scrap vehicles and not vehicles which are being sold on for salvageable parts.

How Much Do I Get Paid?

The money you receive for your vehicle will be dependent on a variety of factors, for example, whether your car has been purchased as a salvageable vehicle or as an end-of-life vehicle for scrap. To find out the value of a scrap vehicle, simply fill out the quotation form at the top of this page and our website will generate an instant, no obligation quote.

How Is My Car’s Value Calculated?

As mentioned above, the money you will receive for your vehicle is dependent on the intention the purchaser has for your vehicle. If your car is bought for salvage purposes, the vehicle’s worth will be based on the following: overall mileage, interior condition, exterior condition, the state of the engine and whether the vehicle has any additional extras e.g. alloy wheels. In addition to this, some buyers will pay a premium if it is considered a classic, or it is a vehicle sought after for a personal project. However, if your car is purchased with the intention of scrapping it, the offers you receive from our scrap value calculator is based on weight per tonne and the vehicle will be taken to an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF) where it will be depolluted before being recycled.

Who Pays Me?

The purchaser of your vehicle will be the one transferring the money to you. Once you have accepted a quote from our site, we will send you the details of the company purchasing your vehicle. They’ll then be in touch to arrange the collection of your scrap car and once the vehicle has been inspected, and is in the process of being collected, they will proceed with your payment.

What Do I Need To Get Paid?

If you already have a scrap car which you have accepted an offer for, you’re almost there! The only things you need in order to get paid once the aforementioned is done, is to wait for your buyer to arrive and collect your vehicle. Oh, and have a bank account for the payment be made into of course!

Do I Need A Bank Account?

Yes. Cash payments are illegal due to the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 and so all payments are made via bank transfer or business cheque, which must be paid into a UK bank account.

Do I Pay For Your Service?

No, our service is 100% free for users of our site. There are no hidden costs or fees and all collections are free; the quote you accept is the price you will be paid!

How Do I Contribute To Charity?

If you would like to contribute to one of our chosen charities we have enabled donations to be made for as much, or as little, as you would like. You can make a charitable contribution in one of two ways: over the phone with our dedicated advisors, or online through our website. To donate a car, just fill in the relevant section during the online quote process – or mention it to your advisor on the phone if you choose to ring in.

Researching Recyclers For Your Vehicle

When scrapping a vehicle you should always ensure that it is taken to a government Authorised Treatment Facility. Legally, these are the only facilities which can scrap your car. Salvaging works slightly differently as the car may have been purchased by somebody who has the intention of repairing it and returning it to the road at a later date, or with the intention of using its parts to help return another vehicle to the road. Scrap Car Comparison only enables buyers which have the most trusted reputations to have access to our service, so you can rest assured knowing you are in safe hands when it comes to selling your scrap vehicle.

Tips On What To Do Next

Once you have agreed upon a price for your vehicle with one of our buyers, they will be in contact to discuss suitable dates to collect your vehicle. Our buyers understand that people lead busy lives, so they will always arrange collections for a date which is mutually convenient. There are a few steps you can take to make sure your scrapping experience runs as smoothly as possible.

Clear Out Your Personal Belongings

We’re all guilty of leaving things in our cars, only to find them months after we thought we’d lost them. Use this opportunity to check under the seats, in your doors, along the edges of your seat and in the boot to make sure you recover all of those forgotten possessions before your car is collected.

Ensure Your Vehicle Is Accessible

On the day of collection you will need to ensure that your vehicle is located in an area wide enough that it is accessible to a recovery vehicle.

Transfer Ownership Of Your Vehicle

Once your vehicle has been taken away ensure that section 9 is completed and sent off to the DVLA. If your car has been scrapped then you will usually receive a certificate of destruction around 7 days later, however please note that this is only in instances where the car has been recycled for scrap. You will not receive a certificate of destruction if the car is used for salvage as the vehicle will have been reused for parts and will not have been destroyed.

Cancel Annual Insurances

If you pay your insurance annually it’s worth cancelling it once your vehicle has been collected as may be able to get a reimbursement.

To get started for free and receive quotes for your vehicle today, call our team on 03333 44 99 50 or simply fill in our instant online quote form.