Why do thieves steal catalytic converters? Catalytic converters are often stolen by thieves because of the valuable metals they contain. They can  be stolen quicky and easily. Read on to learn how to prevent your catalytic converter from being stolen. [more]  

What Is a Catalytic Converter?

Catalytic converters are car components that filter exhaust emissions through a honeycomb mesh of metals such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium. This cleans the more harmful by-products of internal combustion, reducing the car's impact on the environment.

Thanks to environmental legislation across the 1970s and 1980s, all cars manufactured after 1993 have a catalytic converter built in to filter out harmful chemicals in the car’s exhaust emissions. Electric cars don’t have catalytic converters because they don’t need them, but hybrid cars do need converters because they still use petrol.

Why Do Thieves Steal Catalytic Converters?

Thieves steal catalytic converters because they can be sold for over £600, but also because catalytic converters are very easy to steal. Thieves simply jack the car up, saw it out from under the chassis, and the job’s done. This can take between five and ten minutes, but an experienced thief can steal a catalytic converter in less than two minutes. Stealing a catalytic converter doesn’t require a smashed window or a hotwired engine, both of which can trigger the car alarm, so it’s a crime that attracts criminals who want to make money quickly.

Newer car models might have tilt-sensitive alarms, making them harder to steal from, but a lot of older cars do not have such protections. Even then, tilt-sensitive alarms will only activate if the car is tilted to a certain angle, which might not happen if the jack is used cautiously.

Vehicles with a high clearance off the ground, such as 4x4s are even more at risk, because a jack may not be needed to access the underside of the vehicle. Car models like the pre-2008 Honda Jazz, the Toyota Prius 2004-2016 inclusive, and the Toyota Arius 2012-2018 inclusive are particularly vulnerable because of this. As a hybrid car, the Toyota Prius is even more of a target thanks to a higher concentration of precious metals in the catalytic converter.

What Is the Value of a Catalytic Converter?

The metals used in a catalytic converter are rare, making them valuable. Thieves who steal catalytic converters can often resell them for up to £600 or more.

Rhodium is especially valuable due to its rarity – an ounce of rhodium can be worth over £12,000! Although there are only 1-2 grams of rhodium per converter, the 7-8 grams of precious metals in a catalytic converter means thieves only need to steal six or seven to sell to an unscrupulous scrap dealer for a pay-out of up to £4000 per troy ounce (a unit of measurement equal to just over 31g that is specific to precious metals).

READ MORE: Why Do Scrap Yards Pay So Much for Catalytic Converters?

 
How To Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft

To prevent catalytic converter theft, you can...

• Buy a clamp or cage for your catalytic converter! This makes it harder to steal, deterring opportunistic thieves who want to make a quick getaway.
• Park near a wall or fence to stop the car being jacked up.
• Park your car in a private garage.
• Invest in domestic CCTV.
• Install a car alarm if you don’t have one already.
• Register your catalytic converter and mark it with a forensic marker.
• If the catalytic converter is only bolted on to your vehicle, you can ask a garage to weld the bolts shut.

Whether your car still has its catalytic converter or not, if its reached the end of its life, contact A&L Vehicle Recycling. We can help you get the best deal possible on scrapping. To find out more about our services, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re always happy to help!

FAQs

Research has found that the average lifespan of a car in the UK is the longest it’s ever been, averaging at around 10 years old. Read on to find out why cars are lasting longer before they get scrapped.

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What's the average age of a scrapped car in the UK?

As of 2025, the average age of a scrapped car in the UK is between 16 and 20 years old! For comparison, in the year 2009, the average car was only 13 years old when it went to the scrap yard.

There are a number of reasons why cars are lasting so much longer than they used to. Let’s have a look at some of the biggest contributors.

According to an article published in 2021, new car sales decreased significantly during the coronavirus pandemic. This resulted in fewer people trading in their old cars for a newer model, and so the average age of cars on the road increased. This also meant fewer cars were being scrapped.

Even without the impact of the pandemic, the lifespan of a car has been steadily increasing for years. This is because cars are designed to be more durable than ever. There are also improved safety features, better quality parts and nifty electrical features that help us better care for our cars.

Gone are the days when a standard car would last around 8 years or 150,000 miles. Nowadays, you can expect a car to last you upwards of 200,000 miles – perhaps more depending on the make and model of the car and how well you take care of it. As a result, motorists are waiting a lot longer before scrapping their cars due to old age / high mileage.

Why do cars get scrapped?

The average lifespan of a car in the UK before it gets scrapped depends on a number of factors. Here are some of the most common:

Your car is written off

If your car is so badly damaged that the repair costs would exceed its total value, you can declare it a write-off and send it to the scrap yard. A car crash can happen to anyone, regardless of how new their vehicle is. Loads of new cars are written off every day. So, you’ll still see plenty of newer cars in scrap yards because of this.

Your car has lost its value

A car’s value will depreciate over time. If you’ve owned your car for a long time, chances are it’s worth a fraction of the price you paid for it. Alternatively, your car might not be that old, but if you bought a ‘trendy’ car that is no longer trendy, that might be another reason why it has lost its value. In this instance it would be much easier to scrap your car in exchange for money than to go through the process of selling it on.

You want to get rid of your car quickly

Selling your car can be time-consuming. Scrapping it takes almost no time at all! This can come in particularly handy if you need to get rid of your car very quickly. You can scrap your car anytime, regardless of how old it is.

Scrap your car with A&L

Here at A&L Vehicle Recycling, we can make sure your car scrapping experience runs as smoothly as possible. Scrap your car with us today in just 4 simple steps!

Step 1: Enter your registration and postcode.

Step 2: Receive a quote straight away.

Step 3: Review and accept our quote.

Step 4: Arrange collection and get paid!

Get in touch with us today for more information or click the button below to get an instant quote for your old car.

Scrap My Car

If you’ve just scrapped your car, you might be wondering if you can get a refund on any outstanding road tax. You’ll be pleased to know that the answer to that question is: yes. Fortunately, it’s a relatively simple process, but there are a few things you need to know. So, to find out how to receive your road tax refund, read our handy guide.

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Can I Get a Road Tax Refund for My Scrapped Vehicle?

Yes. When you tell the DVLA that your vehicle has been scrapped, any remaining road tax will be refunded to the car’s registered keeper.

How To Claim Back Road Tax When Your Car Is Scrapped

You must inform the DVLA If you have scrapped your car at a vehicle scrapyard. Once the DVLA have been made aware, your vehicle tax will automatically be cancelled.

According to the DVLA:

“You’ll automatically get a refund cheque for any full months left on your vehicle tax. The refund is calculated from the date DVLA gets your information. The cheque is sent to the name and address on the vehicle log book.”

It's worth noting that you won’t, however, receive a refund for any credit card fees or any surcharges on Direct Debit payments or single 6-month payments.

What if I Pay Road Tax by Direct Debit?

If you’ve been paying your road tax via Direct Debit, the DVLA will cancel it automatically once they have received notice of you scrapping your car.

When Will I Receive My Road Tax Refund?

You should receive your refund cheque after around 8 weeks once you have informed the DVLA. If you have not received it after this time, get in touch with the DVLA. You can call them on 0300 790 6802 or use their email service to do this. There are other ways to contact them, too, and you can find additional contact information here.

If you require any further assistance with scrapping your car, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today!

Scrap My Car

There are certain situations in which you need to SORN your car. For example, you must make a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) if you are taking a vehicle off the road. Read on to find out more about what SORN means, how to know if you need to SORN your car, and how to legally declare your vehicle off-road.

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What Is a SORN?

A Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) is precisely what it says on the tin: a notification that your vehicle is off the road. A SORN is made when you’re taking a vehicle off the road and want to stop taxing and insuring it.

When Do You Need to SORN a Car?

There are many reasons you might need to SORN your vehicle. For example, you should SORN your car if:  

• You want to break a vehicle down for parts before you scrap it.
• Your vehicle is not currently taxed.
• Your vehicle is not currently insured – even if the policy is only out of action for a couple of days.
• You will not be using your vehicle for an extended time – like if you’re heading to university, for example.

How to SORN a car

If you’re not using your vehicle, you must tell the DVLA. You can write to them, email, or phone them. You can apply online, using either the 11-digit code in your vehicle log book or the 16-digit reference number on the vehicle tax reminder.

You can still drive a vehicle with a SORN, but only to or from a pre-booked MOT or other testing appointment. Driving a vehicle with a SORN for any other reason could lead to a fine of up to £2,500!

If you don’t declare your vehicle off-road, you could face an automatic fine of £80. Declaring a SORN is free, so you could save yourself a lot of legal hassle by telling the DVLA. You will also be refunded any outstanding road tax, so you really are getting a better deal by following the rules!

Do I Need to SORN My Car?

You only need to SORN your car if you aren’t planning to use it. You’ll need to keep it on private property, like a driveway, a garage, or on a private road.

If you use your vehicle every day, and park it in a garage or driveway at night, you don’t need to SORN your vehicle.

Do I Need to SORN My Car Before I Scrap It?

When it comes to scrapping your vehicle, you only need a SORN if you remove parts from it to sell individually or to hold on to and install in a new vehicle (like the radio). You do not need a SORN if you just want to scrap your vehicle.

Please note: You will need to tell the DVLA if your insurers declare the vehicle a write-off and have it scrapped, but you don’t need to acquire a SORN.

If you have any queries about Statutory Off Road Notifications, get in touch and our customer care team will be happy to help.

Scrap Car FAQs

There are multiple documents needed to scrap a car in order to verify your identity and prove the car's ownership. You'll need to present the dealer with documents like a photo ID (such as a passport or valid driving licence) and proof of your address (such as a utility bill). Read on for more details on the documents you'll need to scrap your vehicle.

Over 1 million cars are scrapped in the UK each year. In order to ensure scrapping is done ethically and legally, you will need to get your hands on a few different documents. 

In recent years there have been a number of new regulations put in place to stop the illegal sale and purchase of stolen metal. With these regulations coming and going, it can make it confusing when trying to determine exactly what documentation you need to bring with you to scrap your car - but don't stress, our team at A&L can help you figure out which documents are needed to scrap a car.

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What Documents Do I Need to Scrap My Car?

When scrapping your car, there is a list of documents your car scrapper may ask to see. Not all of these documents are legally required and instead, the documents you are asked to provide may vary from scrapper to scrapper. The list of documents usually needed to scrap a car are as follows: 

1. Vehicle Registration Document (V5C) 

2. Photo ID 

3. Proof of Address

Vehicle Registration Document (V5C)

The V5C, also referred to as the registration document or logbook, is the official DVLA document in the UK that registers a vehicle to its keeper. This document is particularly useful when it comes to scrapping as it proves that you are the registered keeper and authorised to scrap the car. The V5C also prevents your car from being scrapped without your consent.

This document contains vital details about the car's engine, make and model, but you may also need to provide the full or part service history.

Photo ID & Proof of Address

You won’t be able to scrap your car without a valid form of photo ID as it’s a legal requirement that scrap metal dealers verify the identity of all sellers. This can either be in the form of a valid photographic ID that sets out their full residential address (e.g., driving license), OR a formal document such as a utility bill and a valid photographic ID (e.g., passport) - either way, make sure you bring ID with you when dropping the car off!

Can I Scrap a Car That Isn’t in My Name?

You can scrap a car that isn’t in your name, but the dealer will need to see certain documents that prove you have permission to scrap the car on someone’s behalf.

To scrap a car in someone else’s name you will need…

• Photo ID of the car’s owner
• The V5C signed by the owner
• Proof of address of the owner
• A letter from the owner to show you have their permission to scrap the car

Do I Need to Notify the DVLA if I Scrap My Car?

Yes, it’s important that you let the DVLA know you’re scrapping your car. You can be fined £1,000 if you do not tell the DVLA.

When notifying the DVLA that your vehicle has been scrapped, you will need to fill out the V5C/3 form. Here you will provide key vehicle information, including the date it was scrapped and the registration number.

Get started here.

For more information on scrapping your car, you can read our Scrap Car FAQs where we cover everything you need to know about how we determine your quote and pay for your used car.

Scrap Car FAQs

Where Can I Scrap My Car?

Scrapping your car isn’t as simple as just finding someone to destroy the vehicle. Oil and various hazardous parts such as the engine and battery will need to be properly removed.

So, when looking to scrap your car, you must find an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF) to take it to. Only ATFs have the legal authority to safely scrap cars.

If you’d like to scrap your car, the best place to start is with a scrap car quote to find out how much your car is worth. To do this, simply head over to our homepage where you can provide your car’s registration and your postcode. Here at A&L Scrap Car Dealers, we offer free, no-obligation quotes that will be instantly available to you via email link.

Scrap Your Vehicle

READ MORE: Scrap My Van