There are 1 million scrapped cars every year across the UK for a number of different reasons. Ever car has to be legally scrapped through an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF).
Why are cars scrapped?
One reason may be that the car has been in an accident and is damaged beyond repair. Another reason can be because the cost of fixing the car is beyond what the car is worth, therefore is deemed to be useless to their owner. This is when the owner will sell the car as scrap metal. There are many businesses that run on buying people’s cars to scrap and selling on parts.
How scrapped cars are used
The first thing that happens to a scrap car is it is stripped of all the saleable parts. This may be headlights, useable doors or engine parts. Whatever parts are working can be sold to fix other cars.
After this any hazards are stripped. This includes tyres that has to be recycled correctly due to them being able to burn for days at high temperatures. Additionally all fuel and oil is to be drained from the vehicle.
Following this the car is then safe to be disposed of. It will be crushed into the shape of a cube called a bale. All of the different materials such as plastics and metals and fibres will be separated then recycled appropriately.
Scrapped cars need to be declared to the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) before being scrapped. If not, you will still be liable for any tax in relation to the vehicle.
Please note that when getting your car scrapped, it is illegal to be paid in cash. It has to be done through a bank transfer or via PayPal.
Have you ever had your car scrapped? Did you find the process easy? Let us know in the comments below.