Yes! If you are planning to scrap your vehicle but you've lost the keys, fear not: you can still scrap your car without keys.

We'll take your car without keys if you don't have them, you'll just need to provide a few documents to prove that you own the car and/or are  permitted to scrap it. Get a free scrap car quote here.

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How can I scrap my car without the keys?

When you scrap your vehicle, the car breakers do not need to get inside and drive it. If we're picking it up from you, we will winch it onto our recovery truck. At the scrap yard, it will go through the depollution process, and then it's ready to be crushed.

When we call you to discuss your quote, we may ask if you have your keys, but we will buy cars without keys.

What do I need to scrap my car?

As long as you have told the DVLA that your car is being scrapped, and you have a valid form of photographic ID that sets out your full residential address (or a formal document like a utility bill AND a form of photographic ID) you can scrap your car without any additional documentation.

However, many scrap dealers will not accept your car if you do not have a Vehicle Registration Document (V5C) as well as the above forms of identification. Here at A&L, we will take your car without seeing the V5C - but having it with you will make the selling process much easier and faster. So it's best to have all documentation with you if possible.

Scrap car FAQs

If you don't need keys or a V5C to scrap your car, you may be wondering what you do need. Our minimum requirements for providing a scrap car quote are as follows:

• You can provide photographic ID and proof of address
• There are no outstanding finance charges on the vehicle
• The car or van is free of waste, rubbish, and personal items
• The car or van has no more than 9 seats
• The car or van is accessible for collection (parked on solid ground with inflated tyres)

If you are unable to meet these minimum requirements, we may have to re-evaluate your initial quote.

If you have any other queries about your quote, or about our process for scrapping a car, don't hesitate to get in touch and we'll do our best to answer!

Scrap My Car   Get In Touch

Image source: Pixabay

Does my car have to be cleaned before I scrap it?

No, your car doesn’t need to be clean before you scrap it, but all personal belongings and rubbish will need to be removed. Unfortunately, items that are left in the car cannot be returned.

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Preparing your car for scrapping

In order to help the scrapping process go smoothly, try to hand over your car in as good a condition as possible. While it doesn’t need to be sparkling clean, it’ll make it much easier for us to dispose of your old car if it isn’t full of rubbish and personal belongings.

You might think it pointless to clear out your car before sending it to the scrap yard, but a car that’s full of stuff is difficult to recycle. The car breakers will have to spend time removing everything you’ve left inside, making the process take far longer than necessary.

What can I leave in my car when scrapping it?

When clearing out your car to be scrapped, make sure you leave all permanent features of the car intact. This includes the steering wheel, seats, seatbelts, gear stick, etc.

We kindly ask that you do remove any non-essential items such as empty food and drink containers, clothing, shoes, electrical products, car accessories and other personal belongings.

Any spare tyres or wheel trims can be left with your car if you wish.

Top tip: make sure you check the glove compartment, any pockets in the seats, cup holders, door storage and centre console for rubbish and personal items before handing over the keys.

Do I need to wash my car before scrapping it?

No, it’s not necessary to wash the outside or scrub the inside of your car before leaving it with us to be scrapped. All we ask is that you leave it free of rubbish and personal belongings.

Scrapping your car with A&L Vehicle Recycling

Here at A&L, we buy cars in any condition - just make sure all non-essential items are removed beforehand.

We offer competitive prices and will even collect your car from you. To find out how much your car is worth, call us for a free no-obligation quote today or enter your reg and postcode at the link below to get a free quote instantly.

Give us a Call   Get an Instant Quote

There are lots of types of metal in the world, and the good news is, almost all of them can be scrapped and then recycled.

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Most Commonly Recycled Metals

Most metals can be scrapped. Broadly speaking, they can be split into three categories: 

• Ferrous metals are metals composed mainly of iron. These metals are magnetic and easily separated in the recycling process. Examples: steel, cast iron, wrought iron.
   
• Non-ferrous metals are non-magnetic metals that do not contain a large amount of iron. Examples: aluminium, copper, tin, zinc.
   
• Alloys are mixtures of two or more metals, all of which require a more complicated procedure but can still be recycled. Examples: stainless steel, brass, bronze.

There are so few metals that can’t be scrapped that it’s actually easier to list these than to list the metals that can be scrapped.

What Metals Can’t Be Scrapped?

Here are some examples of metals that generally can’t be scrapped: 

• Uranium 
  
  
• Plutonium
  
  
• Mercury 
  
  
• Metals covered in paint or motor oil 
  
  
• Non-stick metal pans

If your unwanted metal has radioactive or toxic properties, a scrap yard won’t want it. Metals like uranium and plutonium need to be handled and disposed of extremely carefully, with facilities that most recycling centres (including ours) don’t have. Fortunately, most household items don’t have such properties, so you can safely scrap your old metal items in favour of new ones.

Lead is often listed as not recyclable, but it actually can be recycled – it just needs careful management. You may find that your local scrap dealer does not take lead, but we do accept lead here at A&L.

Alongside lead, you will often see mercury listed as non-recyclable. Unfortunately, mercury is a toxic metal that really cannot be scrapped, and we don’t accept it here.

There are also certain situations in which non-toxic metals can’t be scrapped. For example, if it has been covered in paint or motor oil, it cannot be scrapped. This is because these substances can’t be cleaned off in such a way as to ensure that all chemicals are removed. Kitchen pans coated in non-stick materials also can’t be scrapped, precisely because of the non-stick layers.

However, your local recycling centre may still take these items from you and send them away to be disposed of properly.

If you have any concerns about whether your metal items can be scrapped, please don’t hesitate to contact us, and we’ll do our best to answer your queries.

Check Scrap Metal Prices

READ MORE: Why Recycle Scrap Metal?

SHORT ANSWER: No, there is currently no government-funded car scrappage scheme in Wales.

Since their introduction in 2009, scrappage schemes have been a great way for motorists to trade in older, more pollutive vehicles for a discount on newer, more eco-friendly vehicles. As of November 2025, the Welsh Government has no such scheme in place - bookmark this page and check back for updates!

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What Is a Scrappage Scheme?

Car scrappage schemes allow motorists to part-exchange their old cars for new ones, handing over their current vehicle in exchange for a discount on their next.

Scrappage schemes are mainly intended to persuade motorists to part ways with petrol and diesel cars in favour of newer, cleaner vehicles like hybrids and electric cars (or sometimes just a more fuel-efficient model).

The first UK scrappage scheme was introduced in 2009, giving motorists £2,000 towards a new vehicle when they scrapped a car that was 10 years old or more. This cost was divided evenly between the government and manufacturers, and the scheme lasted ten months.

Since then, the idea has mainly become the responsibility of vehicle manufacturers, although there are currently no nationwide manufacturer scrappage schemes active in the UK for 2025. 

Some previously successful manufacturer scrappage schemes include:

Renault 2023

Renault have offered a variety of scrappage schemes over the years, with their most recent scheme running from the end of 2023 to early 2024. This was a purely 'new for old' scheme that offered motorists discounts on most of the current range, including up to £2,000 off a Renault Arkana. 

Tesla 2023

Tesla’s scheme ran from June 1st to June 30th 2023 and allowed anyone with a petrol or diesel car that is worth less than £2000 to trade it in for money towards a new Model 3 or Model Y. The scheme matched the value of the car, and then also put an additional £2000 towards the new vehicle. So, if your car was worth a thousand pounds, Tesla would give you £1000 and add an extra £2000 to net you a £3000 discount on your new car!

Kia 2022

The Kia scrappage scheme offered up to £2,500 off brand new Kia models when motorists traded in their old car of 7+ years. All of these new model Kias also came with a 7-year warranty for 7 years of worry-free driving.

Scrappage Schemes in the UK

Although there are currently no active nationwide government-funded scrappage schemes in the UK, some local, government-backed schemes operate in specific cities with Clean Air Zones (CAZs) or Low Emission Zones (LEZs) like London and Birmingham. These schemes are targeting drivers who want to upgrade to vehicles compliant with Ultra Low Emission Zones in those cities. The schemes are also intended to persuade motorists to use public transport instead of driving, by providing credit covering the cost of season tickets on public transport. 

Scrap Your Car with A&L Vehicle Recycling

Here at A&L Vehicle Recycling, we buy cars in any condition. We also have a selection of cars available for sale. So, if you’re thinking of getting a new vehicle, we can take your old one away – and give you a good price for it!

If you have any queries about our services, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

FAQ Scrap My Car

Last Updated: 13th November 2025

As society grows ever more eco-conscious, you may find yourself asking “why do we recycle metals?” There are so many reasons why recycling metal is beneficial, both to us and our environment. Here are 5 of the most common benefits...

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1. Get paid
2. Reduce waste in landfill
3. Reduce energy use
4. Help the economy
5. Protect natural resources

Why should we recycle scrap metal?

1) Get paid

One of the simplest and most widely-appealing reason to recycle metal is that you can get paid for it!

Here at A&L, for example, we offer up to £4,500 for a tonne of copper wire. The average person is unlikely to have a whole tonne of copper wire just lying around, but at that rate, even a small amount of copper wire can fetch a decent price. For example, if you’re rewiring your house, you can get rid of the old wiring by recycling it. At £4,500 per tonne, and with an average house containing up to 195lbs (88.45kg) of copper wire, you could earn nearly £400 by recycling yours.

2) Reduce waste in landfill

A wide variety of metals are 100% recyclable. They can be recycled forever without degrading in quality, so once you’ve finished with an aluminium can, it become another aluminium can within 60 days, or it can become something else entirely.

By taking scrap metal and making it into something else, recycling keeps scrap metal out of landfill. Landfills are infamously bad for the environment, carrying toxic chemicals from our waste which contaminate nearby soil and water sources, producing greenhouse gases, and causing a whole host of other problems.

3) Protect natural resources

By recycling and re-using metal, we require less raw material to be taken from the earth’s limited resources. At a time of increasing concern over humanity’s environmental impact, this alone is a great reason to recycle.

4) Reduce energy use

Less mining also means fewer emissions from the mining industry, because recycling metal takes significantly less energy than mining new ore.

For example, recycling steel uses 70% less energy than mining and refining the iron ore from which steel is made. Recycling metal in general emits 80% less CO2 than production from raw materials. Energy is saved across every kind of metal that can be recycled: according to the British Metals Recycling Association, CO2 emissions are reduced by 65% when copper is recycled instead of mined. Recycling one tonne of tin saves 99% of the energy required to produce tin from mining. All of this makes the environmental impact of recycling a very persuasive reason to recycle scrap metal.

5) Help the economy

The disruptive and expensive nature of mining means that the price of virgin metal is incredibly high. Recycling brings that price down to more affordable levels, which is better for everyone.

Recycling also creates jobs! Dumping waste into landfill might only take one employee with a truck, but a recycling plant necessitates a whole host of jobs within the waste management sector. The creation of new jobs is a huge benefit to the economy.

A&L Scrap Metal Recycling

Here at A&L, we are experienced scrap metal merchants. From copper, lead and brass to household appliances and other everyday objects, we will purchase any scrap metal you want to get rid of, at the best prices around.

If you have any questions about our scrap metal recycling service, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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