Before you scrap your car it's vital that you dot the T's and cross the I's, you can't just drop your car off and be done with it! Here at A&L Car Scrap Dealers, we have years of experience in scrapping old cars, so we can talk you through exactly what you need to do before scrapping your car. So, if you've got a car that's ready to be scrapped, be sure you've completed everything on this checklist first!

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 1. Remove all of your personal items

Whether you've had your car for 6 years or 6 months, there are bound to be a few personal items inside. Whether it's your favourite CD or a phone charger, you want to make sure you remove all of your belongings before you take your car to be scrapped. Once your car has made its way to the scrap yard, it will be much more difficult to recover these things. 

While you're checking for personal belongings, we'd also recommend removing any rubbish or waste. While you might think - "what's the point, it's going to a scrap yard anyway?" it's common courtesy to pass the car over in a clean and empty condition. 

2. Take your personalised number plate off the vehicle

If you've got a personalised license plate on your car, now would be the time to take it off. You can keep your personalised license plate to use on a different car, so don't send it to the scrap yard accidentally! 

3. Check you have all the documents

There are a few documents you will need to gather before you scrap your vehicle. First, you'll need proof of ownership, a form of photo ID (such as a passport or driving license), and proof of address. One of the reasons that these documents are required is to protect both you and the scrap car company in the event of scrap metal theft or another legal complication.

Some documents that are desirable, but not usually essential, include the V5c and a record of the vehicle's service history.

The logbook (V5c) tells the DVLA that you aren't the legal owner of the vehicle anymore, and while it's not always essential that you have it, it's worth checking with your car scrap dealership before you get rid of your car. In some cases, you may need to order a new one through the DVLA before the scrap dealership will take the car away.

The service history will help the scrap car dealer understand what work has been done on the car - which may come in handy if someone intends to purchase the vehicle from the scrap yard at a later date. Generally, though, this isn't essential.

4. Contact a reputable scrap car company

Once you've got everything in order, it's time to start thinking about the company you want to use to scrap your car. You might want to get quotes from a few local companies before you make your final decision, as some companies pay more for scrap cars than others.

READ MORE: Scrap My Van

Here at A&L Scrap Car Dealers, we believe we can offer you an exceptional deal on your old car. All you need to do is enter your reg number and postcode into our website. 

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No, you cannot scrap a car with outstanding finance. You cannot sell or scrap a car that has outstanding finance, because you technically don’t own it. However, if you write off a car with outstanding finance, there are more options available to you than you might think! 

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You cannot scrap a car with outstanding finance, but one of the most popular ways of purchasing a car is through finance. Making smaller monthly payments to spread the cost of a car usually means that people can buy a newer or better car than they first thought. The main problem with car finance contracts is that you're tied into them for a specific amount of time - usually until the car has been fully paid off (with interest)! 

Of course, if something happens to your car while you're still tied into your finance contract, your options can be quite limited. Selling it or scrapping a car with outstanding finance can be a real challenge because you don't technically 'own' the car until the final payment has been made. So what are your options if you want to scrap a car with outstanding finance? Here are some alternatives to scrapping a financed car...

Alternatives to scrapping a car with outstanding finance

The most common reason that people decide to scrap their car is because it's no longer roadworthy. If you've written off your car or have otherwise found yourself with a car with outstanding finance that's not road worthy, these are your options:

1 - Make a settlement payment

The first option you have is to contact the company you took your car finance out with. They should be able to provide you with a settlement figure that you can pay to acquire complete ownership of the car and terminate the contract. If you've had your car for a few years already, then the settlement figure might be quite small. However, if you're only a few months into your finance contract, the settlement figure is likely to be quite sizeable. 

2 - Make the car roadworthy again

If you're unable to make a payment to take ownership of your car, the next best option is to find out what would be involved in making the vehicle roadworthy again. You might find that the cost of repairing the car is significantly less than the settlement payment - meaning you can continue to drive the car until your finance contract is complete. Once you've paid off the car, you are free to sell or scrap it as you please.

When you buy a car on finance, it's vital that you read the contract carefully and understand your legal requirements. So, to simply answer the question "Can I scrap a car with outstanding finance?" - no, scrapping a car with outstanding finance payments isn't an option.

However, once your finance has been settled, we'd be more than happy to take the car off your hands. Start by putting the license plate number and your postcode into our website.

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If you've decided to scrap your car, you might be wondering whether you can drive it to the scrap yard without insurance. Most people are hesitant about insuring their vehicles if they know it only has to travel between their home and the scrap yard, but failing to insure your vehicle can lead to serious consequences. Police can check whether or not your car is insured instantly - so you need to make sure you're complying with the law at all times. Let's take a closer look at the rules around car insurance so you can make sure your car makes it from your home to the scrap yard without a hitch!

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Circumstances when you DO need car insurance

When your car is parked on the road (regardless of its condition), it's vital that you have a car insurance policy in place. People often think that a car that's not in a fit state to drive can be left uninsured, but this simply isn't the case.

If the car has been in an accident and is no longer road-worthy, but is parked on the road, you'll need to arrange for the scrap yard to collect the car for you. As the owner of the vehicle, you should make sure that the car is insured until the vehicle has been collected by the scrap company and driven away. Once the car is in the hands of the scrap company, you are no longer liable, so your insurance policy can be canceled.

If, however, your car is in a driveable state, you might want to take it to the scrap yard yourself. In this scenario, you will need to insure the vehicle before you drive it on the road. Once you arrive at the scrap yard and all the relevant paperwork has been completed, you can formally hand the car over and cancel your insurance policy. It's important that you cancel the insurance policy on the scrapped car before you insure yourself on a new car, otherwise you'll be paying for two policies unnecessarily!

So, whether you're having the car collected by the scrap company or taking it to the scrap yard yourself, you'll need to insure it.

Circumstances when you DON'T need car insurance

There is one circumstance in which you can get away with not insuring your car. So, if you really don't want to insure your car before scrapping it, here's what you need to do... 

To make your car exempt from car insurance, you will need to SORN it. This means applying for a Statutory Off Road Notification and, a document that lets the DVLA know that your car isn't being driven & taking the vehicle off the road. It's worth noting that while this will save you some money, it will leave your vehicle vulnerable in the event of damage or theft - which could lead to you losing your no-claims bonus. So keep this in mind!

Of course, once your vehicle has been SORN-ed, you'll need to keep it off the road, so you won't be able to drive it to the scrap yard yourself in this scenario. Luckily, it's quite easy to make alternative arrangements to get your car from your home to the scrap yard.

Let A&L Car Scrap Dealers do the work

Does this all sound like a lot of hassle? Don't worry, we've got you covered. Here at A&L Car Scrap Dealers, we'll arrange to collect your car directly from your home - making the whole process as stress-free as possible!

To start the ball rolling, all you need to do is plug your registration number and postcode into our website. We'll give you an instant quote free of charge. Once you're happy with the terms, we'll arrange to collect your car so that you don't have to do any of the work. Simple!

Did you know, we offer FREE same-day collection across South Wales? Enter your reg number & postcode for an instant quote, or get in touch with us directly - we'd love to hear from you.

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Scrapping a car can feel like a pretty big decision to make. Making the call that your vehicle is at the end of its lifespan and is no longer worth running is not a choice that is usually made lightly.

If you’re considering scrapping your car but are still on the fence about whether or not it’s the right action for you, we’ve put together this blog to help you make your decision.

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What to consider when scrapping your car

How much your car is worth

If your car is in a good condition and has a low mileage, you’re likely to get more money for it by selling it on to a new owner than scrapping it.
Make sure you get offers from both potential buyers and scrap dealers to compare prices before settling on a decision.

How much time you have

You might get more money if you sell it on but if time is of the essence, it’d be much faster to sell your car for scrap.

Selling your car privately can be a long-winded process. You’ll need to take photos, list it online, negotiate with potential buyers and wait for the sale to go through. Selling your car for scrap can happen on the same day. Here at A&L, we can provide you with a free, instant quote and collect your car the same day.

Signs to scrap your car

These are some of the most common signs that let you know that it’s time for you to scrap your car.

1. Repairs cost more than the car

If your car needs costly repairs or you’re finding it in the garage more and more frequently, the invoices for all the repairs are probably starting to pile up. It’s time to start questioning whether these costs are worth it, or if it might be the better financial decision to scrap your car. 

2. Written off

If your car has been written off in an accident, there is very little that can be done for it in terms of repairs. Scrapping is usually the go-to plan for anyone in possession of an insurance write off.

3. Time for an upgrade

Most people choose to upgrade their car every 3 to 5 years. If you feel like it’s time for you to upgrade your vehicle but your current car is an old model or isn’t in great condition, you may get more money by scrapping your car than trying to sell it to a new owner.

4. No longer running efficiently

Old cars are often very fuel inefficient, so it may be more fiscally responsible to invest in a new car. Old cars with lots of previous issues may also cost more to insure, especially if they’re so old they don’t have many of the security and safety features that are standard in newer models. Investing in a new car is very often the most financially efficient path to take.

5. Unsellable

If your car fits any of the above categories, you could be considering selling rather than scrapping. However, not every second-hand car can be sold, and it’s very possible that you will get more money from scrapping than selling. Why not get a free quote today to find out how much you can get for your old vehicle?

READ MORE: Scrap My Van

Benefits of scrapping your car

There are five reasons listed above suggesting when it might be time to scrap your car – here are some reasons you may want to scrap your car.

1. Environmentally friendly

A&L Vehicle Recycling are dedicated to responsibly recycling your vehicle – if you decide to scrap your car with us, we will do everything we can to do it in the most environmentally friendly way possible. We always follow a strict depollution process before stripping down the car, and we recycle and reuse as much of the car as possible.

If you want to learn more about the scrapping process, check out our infographic What Happens to Scrapped Cars?

2. Cash in hand

If your car is a financial strain, for example, it needs lots of costly repairs, choosing to scrap your car gives you a bit of extra cash in your pocket that you can use to buy something new.

3. Convenience

Many people choose to scrap their car with A&L Vehicle Recycling because it’s the most convenient option when dealing with an unwanted old vehicle. We offer same day pick up from various locations across South Wales and same day payment (depending on the time of your call and location). It doesn’t get more convenient than that!

4. Get a free quote

If you’re not sure whether scrapping your car is the right step for you, get a free no-obligation quote today. Simply enter your reg number and your postcode to get a quote in seconds.

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Read More: Can I Scrap a Car without a V5C Log Book?

What is the most valuable scrap metal? Copper is the most valuable scrap metal in the UK. Depending on what form you sell it in (i.e., wire, pipes, etc.) you could get up to £4,5000 per tonne of copper.

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Recycling and repurposing scrap metal isn’t new. In fact, there’s evidence from as early as 400BC of the romans melting down old copper coins to build statues! However, the scrap metal industry really took off in the 1960s with what some call the ‘scrap revolution’, and with the developments in technology between then and now, we’re now able to recycle scrap metal on a much larger scale.

Clearly scrap metal is useful, and has been for a long time. But is it valuable? And, if so, which scrap metals are the most valuable? Let's take a look at how much you could earn by selling your scrap metal.

The most valuable scrap metal

Copper is the most valuable scrap metal, but the kind of copper can impact it's value. Here's more information on the top 3 most valuable scrap metals in the UK:

1. Copper

Copper is by far the most valuable scrap metal. Copper wire can sell for anywhere between £3,000 - £4,500 per tonne. Copper in other forms, like pipes, sells at £2,600 - £3,600 per tonne.

Interestingly, the third most valuable scrap metal is also a kind of copper, known as braziery copper. Braziery copper is copper that has already been soldered or painted, and sells for £2,300 - £3,500 per tonne. Although not quite as valuable as copper in its purer forms, you can still get a pretty penny for it.

2. Brass

Although not quite as valuable as copper, brass is also a valued scrap metal. If you’re interested in selling brass scrap, you can expect to receive anywhere between £2,000 - £3,000 per tonne.

3. Lead

Scrap lead can come in a manner of different forms, from lead pipes to fishing weights. Either way, you can generally expect to receive between £900 - £1,600 per tonne for scrap lead.

If you’d like to compare the prices of various scrap metals from cable to copper, brass to braziery, head on over to the A&L Scrap Recycling website! We have recent prices on all manner of scrap metals, so you can get a straightforward figure as to how much your scrap metal is worth.

Scrap Metal Prices

Selling valuable scrap metal

Selling unwanted scrap metal can earn you more money than you might think! There are also a wide range of other benefits that come with scrap metal recycling, including reducing pollution, saving resources, and reducing waste that would otherwise go to land fill. If you find yourself with a heap of unwanted scrap metal, choosing to sell it to a recycling centre like A&L Scrap Dealers is an environmentally friendly way to dispose of unwanted scrap, and can also leave you with a bit of pocket money for a rainy day.

If you have any questions about scrap prices or would like a quote for scrap metal you’re hoping to sell, reach out and contact A&L Recycling today. We can inform you of the most recent prices, and give you a bespoke quote as to how much we’ll pay for your scrap metal.

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Read More: Why Are Scrap Car Prices Higher Than Ever Before?