After arriving at a scrap yard, your car will go through the depollution process, then it will be crushed ready for the materials to be recycled. To learn more about what happens to scrapped cars, read on!

There are many reasons to scrap your car. It might be written off by your insurer, or it may just reach the end of its useful lifespan. Whatever the reason, one question remains: where do scrapped cars end up?

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What happens to scrapped cars?

Once you’ve decided to scrap your car, it should be taken to your nearest Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF), or they may be able to pick it up. Let's take a look at what happens next...

Step 1: Depollution

When your car arrives at the scrap yard, the first thing that will happen is the ‘depollution’ process.

This involves stripping the car of all its hazardous materials, such as the battery and fuel tank. These will then be taken away and recycled in specialised processes designed for them. If it still has enough charge left (80% or more), a lithium-ion battery can serve a second life storing electricity in the National Grid. If it has no charge, it can be put through a shredder, making it easier to sift through components. Alternatively, a car battery can be frozen in liquid nitrogen to prevent any reaction from the remaining charge, and then shattered to neutralise it.

All fluids remaining in the car have to be siphoned out and disposed of. This includes fuel, coolants, oil, and anti-freeze, as well as any components within the car that have come into contact with the liquids. This is true even for electric vehicles, which don’t have fuel but still use brake fluid, coolant, and windshield washing fluid.

The tyres are also removed, and then shredded in order to be recycled. A tyre fire is awful for the environment, so recycling tyres is preferable if they cannot be reused on a newer car.

Any specific parts that are in good enough condition to be reused will be salvaged and sold on. Most scrap companies will also take out the glass from the windows and windscreen, as this can easily be recycled separately to the rest of the vehicle.

Electric vehicles can be recycled, but require extra care. The lithium-ion battery is very reactive, and can be explosive when exposed to air and water.

Step 2: Crushing your car

Next, after your car has been stripped of anything hazardous or salvageable, it is crushed.

A really large magnet, or a large claw, picks the car up and puts it in a crusher. It is then compressed in several directions until it becomes a compact cube. That cube is then shredded into smaller chunks, some of which are small enough to fit into the palm of your hand.

These chunks are fed into a separator, where the metal and plastics are separated out for recycling. The metal is then fed through a magnet that separates the ferrous metal from the non-ferrous metal – that is, all the metals that contain iron are separated out from the ones that don’t.

The non-ferrous metals are then put into a heavy media separator filled with molten fluid. In this separator, the metals will float at different levels, and are then taken away to be reused accordingly.

Step 3: Recycle your car

Finally, some of your scrapped car will be recycled!

Because scrap metal can be recycled almost endlessly, the likelihood is that your car could end up as anything, from a set of cans to a children’s swing set. It could even become a brand-new car. Recycling the metal takes much less energy than creating new metal from ore, and also stops the car from going to landfill.

Other parts of your car can also be recycled, including the catalytic converter, plastic from the dashboard, and fabric from the seats. So, if you’re particularly eco-conscious, scrapping your car is great for the environment.

Here at A&L Vehicle Recycling, we will buy virtually any vehicle in any condition. We are a fully licensed Authorised Treatment Facility, and we are committed to responsible recycling. Get in touch today for a free quote.

Scrap Your Vehicle

Got an unwanted van on your hands? Whether your van is an MOT failure, has been written off in an accident, or simply isn’t worth the costs to repair and maintain, you can get some quick cash for your scrap van with A&L Vehicle Recycling.

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We make the process of selling your van for scrap easy from start to finish. To get a FAST and FREE quote for your scrap van, simply enter in your vehicle registration and your postcode into our handy scrap van value calculator to get an instant online quote. We can pick up your van and take it away whenever is most convenient for you, and you’ll get your money on the same day.

I want to scrap my van - how does it work?

Scrapping your van with A&L is a simple 4-step process:

• Step 1: Enter your car registration and postcode
• Step 2: We give you an instant quote
• Step 3: Review details and accept quote
• Step 4: Arrange collection and receive your money

The quote you receive is instant, free and there's no obligation to proceed.

Get a Quote Now

Why scrap your van with A&L?

Our scrap yard is an authorised treatment facility (ATF) so you can be safe in the knowledge we will be doing everything right.

ATFs are monitored by Natural Resources Wales and subject to the End of Life Vehicle Regulations of 2005. What this means is that the facility has to utilise environmentally-friendly drainage and disposal systems to stop harmful chemicals leaking into the water table and soil.

An ATF will also give you an official Certificate of Destruction. This means your vehicle has been properly destroyed in the most environmentally-friendly way possible, and that you are no longer liable for it.

Here at A&L Vehicle Recycling, we take any vehicle in any condition. So, if you need to scrap your van, get a quote with us today.

Why should I scrap my van?

You should scrap your van if...

• The upkeep costs are no longer worthwhile. If the value of the van comes to less than the maintenance costs, or it keeps getting new faults and the MOT is returned with one too many fixes, you may decide it's no longer economical to maintain.
  
  
• Repairs cost more than the value of the van - if your van is in an accident, and the cost of repairs is more than the value of the van, you may decide to cut your losses and scrap it.
  
  
• You want to get rid of your van without selling it - selling a vehicle is a hassle even at the best of times, but scrapping it with A&L Vehicle Recycling takes just a few clicks before we take it off your hands.
  
  
• You don't use it and don't want it any more - sometimes it's as simple as that!

So, if the costs are mounting up, you may be better off scrapping your van and putting the money you receive towards a new one.

What documents do I need to scrap my van?

At A&L Vehicle Recycling, we are a fully authorised treatment facility, so recycling with us is quick and easy. You don’t even have to provide us with keys to your van - but we'll take them if you have them! 

We will need to see some documentation though, just to make sure we're taking the right vehicle from the right person:

• a form of photo ID
• proof of address

We will also check that the vehicle matches the quote. If you have them, we will also take all the relevant vehicle documents from you, including:

• V5C log book
• service history
• MOT certificate
• manuals

You don't have to have these documents for us to take your van away, but it makes the whole process much easier if you do.

Before we take it away, however, you need to inform the DVLA of your decision. This will require the 11-digit reference from your most recent vehicle log book. Check out this handy blog to learn more about how log books affect scrapping your vehicle.

What happens when I scrap my van?

Once you’re happy with your quote, we can come and collect your van. Make sure you have retrieved all your personal belongings from the vehicle before this happens! This includes the number plate, personalised or otherwise, in case you want to keep it.

When we’ve got your van, we’ll begin the process of turning it into scrap. We’ll take the wheels off and separate the rubber tyres from the metal. Then we remove the fuel, and strip the vehicle of any harmful or dangerous chemicals. At this point, any potentially valuable parts that are still intact, like headlights and catalytic converters, are removed to ensure they can be sold on as needed.

The van is then placed in the baler and crushed so that it can be sold on as scrap.

Any parts that are removed before the van goes can then go into the recycling process. Your windshield and windows can become new glass bottles or new windows, while the precious metals commonly found in catalytic converters might just end up in some jewellery. Car tyres can be made into asphalt, while any plastics can be melted down and made into things like garden furniture or household bins. Read more about what happens to scrapped cars here.

If you have any further questions about how to scrap your van, please get in touch with us today and a member of our team will be happy to help! 

If your car is damaged and declared a write-off, don't panic — just follow the below guidance. 

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What is a write-off?

A write-off happens when your vehicle is damaged in some way, and your insurers determine that the repairs are not economical. Generally, this happens if the cost of repairs totals or exceeds 50-60% of the vehicle’s current value. So, if your car is worth £6000 and the cost of repairs comes to £4000, your insurers may well have your car written off.

What happens if your car is written off?

It depends which category applies to your situation. The Association of British Insurers have created four categories of write-off: A, B, N, S.

• Category A means the whole vehicle has to be crushed.
• Category B means some parts can be salvaged, but the body shell needs to be crushed.

Depending on your level of insurance, you might then receive a cash payout known as the settlement fee. This should be equivalent to the market value of your vehicle if sold in its pre-accident condition, but minus your policy excess. For example, if your excess was £300 on your £6000 vehicle, you would therefore get £5700.

In the other two categories, although repairs are possible, the insurers may not feel it is financially worthwhile to do so.

• Category N is for non-structural damage, like cosmetic or electrical damage. You won’t need to re-register with the DVLA before returning to the road.
• Category S is for structural damage where the car can be driven again after repairs. The car will need to be re-registered with the DVLA.

What to do if your car is written off?

If your car is written off, you should consider which of your available options you want to pursue. You may be able to buy it back and repair it, keep your car, claim against the other driver's third party cover, or scrap it! The options available to you depend on how badly your car is damaged, and the category that applies.

Should the damage to your car fall into Categories N or S, you can choose to buy it back from the insurers and repair it yourself. If you do this, you must inform the DVLA. They can re-register it and you can drive it on the road again. If you sell it on in the future, a vehicle history check will show that it was previously written off.

Regardless of the category of write-off and your settlement fee, you must tell the DVLA if your car is a write-off. Failure to do so could lead to a fine of £1000.

If you want to keep your car

Just because your insurers feel that repairs are uneconomical doesn’t necessarily mean repairs cannot be done. The damage may only be cosmetic – although if your car is old, even cosmetic repairs may cost more than the value of the vehicle.

If your vehicle is Category B or below, you can choose to keep it. Category B vehicles cannot return to the road, but you may be able to salvage usable parts, particularly if it is a rare or modified car.

As mentioned, you can choose to repair a Category N or S vehicle. Your insurers will then give you a payout, minus the salvage fee, and give you the vehicle back. You can then get it repaired privately. Selling it on is also an option, but you’ll need to make sure the car passes an MOT first.

If you have outstanding finance

If you purchased your car on finance, your settlement fee should ideally cover the outstanding finance. However, the amount you are paid may be lower than what you owe the finance company. This could leave you out of pocket, either because you’re paying for a car you aren’t using, or because the finance company wants you to pay off the outstanding balance immediately.

It may be worth discussing the issue with your insurers and your finance company. If you can provide evidence that the car’s pre-accident value was higher than the settlement fee being offered, you may be able to negotiate a higher fee. You may also be able to come to an arrangement with the finance company regarding switching the deal to a new car or clearing your debt. Gap insurance can also help pay off your financier.

If your car was damaged in an accident, you can claim against the other driver’s third-party cover. This won’t affect the amount of your settlement fee, but you may be able to get your policy excess back.

READ MORE: Scrap Your Van

It’s not the end of the world if your car is written off. Here at A&L Scrap Car Dealers, we can help you easily get rid of a car you no longer need or want. We buy almost any car in almost any condition, including write-offs.

Scrap My Car

You may be wondering why car owners choose to scrap their beloved vehicle. Car scrapping is actually extremely efficient, and everyone benefits from it (well, maybe not the car)!

There are lots of reasons to scrap your car, but you'll most likely resonate with the following:

1. Your car is beyond repair
2. Your car has little value
3. You need to get rid of your car quickly
4. Your car is no longer road-worthy
5. You could do with the cash

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Keep reading to learn more about why scrapping your car is worthwhile...

1. Your car is beyond repair

One of the main reasons why people choose to scrap their cars is because it isn't worth repairing. This is especially common for drivers than have been in an incident or their recent MOT has returned with countless fixes and charges. At this point, you have to start to wonder whether your vehicle is worth the cost of repair. 

For some people, the answer is a solid 'no' - resulting in their vehicle coming straight to the scrapyard. In these cases, it saves money and it's a quick and efficient way to dispose of a faulty and expensive vehicle. 

For some perspective, here are some examples of average quotes for car repair work: 

• Brake Repairs - £316.89
• Clutch Replacement - £454
• Dent Removal - £454.77 
• Scratch Repair - £418.61
• Battery Replacement - £137
• Gearbox Repair - £381.75
• Exhaust Repair - £107.53

Now, imagine receiving a bill for all these issues that need fixing on your vehicle. In total, you'll be looking at a cost of £2270.55

2. Your car has little value

If you bought your current vehicle during a trend-setting craze, you may find that your car has lost its value over time. For instance, research from carVertical revealed the top 5 most depreciating car brands of 2022: 

• Chrysler: -96.8%
• Audi: -96.2%
• Seat: -95.8%
• Skoda: -95%
• Infiniti: -94.7%

In this instance, a Chrysler model will lose the most value on the market over a duration of 25 years. 

Alternatively, you may have bought a cheap car to start off with. Maybe as your first car, or as a car to tide you over for the time being. In cases like these, it's less hassle for the owner to hand the car over to a scrapyard in exchange for money. 

3. You need to get rid of your car quickly

Life is unpredictable, and sometimes you may just need to get rid of your car quickly. Instead of going through the process of putting your car on the market through car-selling websites and social media, and then going through the ebbs and flows of potential buyers, you could opt for a quick initial conversation with a scrapyard about a quote for your car. After that, they'll do all the hard work for you from there.

You'll even get some cash to walk away with at the end of the transaction. What a bonus!

READ MORE: Scrap Your Van

4. Your car is no longer road-worthy

If your car has been written off, this means it is either beyond repair, too expensive to fix, or both! 

Depending on the extent of the damage to your car, you may not be able to drive it on the road ever again, even if you've attempted to repair it. In these circumstances, the best option is to seek out an authorised treatment facility (ATF) to get rid of your vehicle efficiently.

5. You could do with the cash

Let's be honest - sometimes you just need the extra cash. Of course, no one's going to start scrapping their brand new 2023 model, but you may wish to scrap your car in exchange for a financial reward.

You can get an instant quote for your scrap car on our website, but the price will depend on your car's make, age and condition. If your car is in good condition, then you could receive just as much money as you would if you'd traded it in at a dealership!

Even if your car is in an awful state, it's extremely likely that it will have a scrap value. And, luckily for you, we offer top prices for car disposal. 

We will pay you for your scrap car either by cheque or electronic transfer (if you have a preference, just let us know!). For any other questions, you can check out our scrap car FAQs or get in touch with our team.

Scrap Your Car with A&L Vehicle Recycling

At A&L, we are extremely proud of our authorised treatment facility status - but what does this mean for you and your scrap car?

It means that you can trust us to do our bit for the environment. As an authorised treatment facility in Cardiff, we will recycle and/or dispose of your scrap car in the most responsible and sustainable way. 

To scrap your car, click below to get an INSTANT, NO-OBLIGATION quote. Alternatively, feel free to get in touch with any questions and queries you may have (make sure to check our scrap car FAQs first, though!). 

Scrap Your Car

An authorised treatment facility is the most environmentally friendly and sustainable way to get rid of your vehicle for money. If you're looking to scrap your car, then you should definitely be looking to scrap your vehicle at an authorised treatment facility (ATF).

In this blog, we'll go through the most frequently asked questions about authorised treatment facilities. Let's get into it...

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What Is an ATF?

An ATF is an authorised treatment facility, which is a title given to registered scrap yards and breaker's yards. These scrap yards are permitted to carry out the dismantling and disposal of electronic waste with specific safety rules and regulations.

What Does ATF Mean When Scrapping a Car?

When you scrap your car at an authorised treatment facility, it ensures that your ELV (end-of-life vehicle) will be recycled and disposed of in the most environmentally friendly way possible and in-line with the End of Life Vehicle Regulations. The guidelines given to an ATF are monitored by the Environment Agency to ensure that everything is disposed of and destroyed safely and sustainably. 

It's strongly recommended to use an authorised treatment facility when scrapping your car for the following reasons:

• It Helps the Environment

When you go to an authorised treatment facility to scrap your car, the facility has a legal obligation to invest in environmentally-friendly drainage and disposal systems. They also prevent toxic chemicals from leaking into the ground and water throughout the recycling and disposal process.

• You Will Receive an Official Certificate of Destruction

If you scrap your car at an ATF facility, you will receive an official Certificate of Destruction which will prove that you are no longer liable or responsible for your vehicle once it has been scrapped.

Authorised Treatment Facility in Cardiff: Scrap Your Car With A&L

At A&L, we are extremely proud of our ATF status - but what does this mean for you and your scrap car?

It means that you can trust us to do our bit for the environment. As an authorised treatment facility in Cardiff, we will recycle and/or dispose of your scrap car in the most responsible and sustainable way. 

To scrap your car, click below to get an INSTANT, NO-OBLIGATION quote. Alternatively, feel free to get in touch with any questions and queries you may have (make sure to check our scrap car FAQs first, though!). 

Scrap Your Car