Car batteries are hazardous materials that contain sulphuric acid and lead that can be harmful to human health and the environment – this is why you should never throw out an old car battery with your regular rubbish and household waste.

So, if you’ve got an old car battery laying around on your property, you’re probably wondering what you can legally do with it – do scrap yards take car batteries? Do you need to find a specialist chemical disposal unit to take it to? Can you drop it off at the tip? We aim to answer these questions and more in this blog! Let’s get started…

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Where Can I Take My Old Car Battery?

As car batteries contain corrosive and toxic substances (like lead and sulphuric acid), they must be taken to a facility that specialises in recycling and processing hazardous materials.  Some garages, dealerships and motor retailers will accept old batteries, especially if you are getting a new one fitted. Some local councils will also have household waste recycling centres (tips) or hazardous waste collection services that you can find online, but in our opinion, the best and safest place to take your old car battery is to an Authorised Treatment Facility or scrap yard, like us at A&L – here’s why…

Why Should I Take My Car Battery to an ATF?

By taking your old car battery to an Authorised Treatment Facility, you can…

• Ensure that the valuable lead and other components will not go to waste.
• Help to support the circular economy and reduce the demand for new raw materials.
• Ensure that the battery is recycled responsibly, mitigating any environmental damage and adhering to all of the rigorous environmental laws.
• Help to promote sustainable recycling practices.
• Help to reduce landfill waste.
• Avoid any legal issues and fines associated with improperly disposing of a car battery.
• Get a little extra cash in your pocket!

At A&L Vehicle Recycling, we can safely recycle your old car battery and even give you cash in return! Get in touch with us today if you have any questions about the battery drop-off or recycling process.

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The short answer: A car that has been officially scrapped should never return to the road.

It’s a nightmare situation that is more common than you think – you hand your old car over for scrap and do everything right. Then, months on, a picture from a speed camera comes through your door and there it is, your old car back on the road and a fine in your name.

This is a real problem that happens when fraudulent individuals get their hands on cars that are meant to be scrapped. This blog will go over how this situation can happen and how you can avoid it, while unpacking any misconceptions about whether scrap or write-off cars should return to the road.

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Can Written off Cars Return to the Road?

When asking whether scrapped cars can be put back on the road, the lines sometimes get blurred when people use the terms ‘scrapped’ and ‘written-off’ interchangeably.

To clarify, when cars are written off by an insurer, they are filed into one of four categories:

• Cat A: Vehicles listed as Category A are so damaged that the car must be scrapped in its entirety, meaning no parts of the car may be salvaged.
  
  
• Cat B: Vehicles listed as Category B must have the shell and chassis scrapped, but some parts may be removed if they are still in safe working order.
  
  
• Cat S: Vehicles listed as Category S have structural damage where the cost of repairs outweighs the value of the vehicle itself. If the owner chooses to repair the car, it may go back on the road.
  
  
• Cat N: Vehicles listed as Category N have non-structural damage (usually electrical or mechanical) where the cost of repairs outweighs the value of the vehicle itself. Once again, if the owner chooses to repair the car, it may go back on the road.

Any car that has is deemed to be Category A or B can not be returned to the road at all and must be listed as scrap. Vehicles that have been listed as Category S or N are still insurance write-offs, but can return to the road after repairs are complete.

So in summary, cars that are listed as scrap should not ever return to the road, whereas some written-off cars can be driven again after repairs.

How Do Some Scrap Cars End Up Back on the Road?

If your scrap car ends up back on the road, something has gone very wrong. Usually this is due to a rogue trader buying your car for scrap price, giving it a quick repair and illegally selling it to an unsuspecting buyer. Sometimes these traders tell you that they have notified the DVLA about your car being scrapped but they never do, so the car still legally belongs to you.

How can you avoid this? By always using an Authorised Treatment Facility – like us at A&L – and insisting that you receive a Certificate of Destruction as this is physical proof that your car was meant to be destroyed. You should also never accept a cash payment for your scrap car, this is illegal and will leave you without a paper trail to refer back to if something were to happen.

At A&L, we have been responsibly scrapping and recycling cars for over 10 years, so you can trust us to make the scrapping process as hassle-free and transparent as possible.

Do you want to know how much you can get for your old car? Click the button below to generate a FREE instant quote for your vehicle.

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If you have some old furniture, kitchen appliances or even an old car that you are looking to get rid of, you may be wondering whether you should take it to a scrapyard or junkyard. While the terms ‘junkyard’ and ‘scrapyard’ are used more or less interchangeably in the UK, there are some small differences in their definitions that we will discuss in this blog so that you can make an informed decision on where to take your scrap! Let’s get started!

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Scrapyards

Scrapyards – like us at A&L – primarily deal with purchasing, processing and recycling metals like iron, copper, lead and steel. These facilities will accept a wide range of different metal items, whether that’s an old car, refrigerator, toaster or just some scrap metal you have found lying around! They will pay you for any metal you bring in, deciding on the prices based on current scrap metal demand and market value. They are then able to extract valuable metals from the scrap that can be reclaimed and reused in manufacturing, helping to reduce the demand for new raw materials.

Scrapyards play a crucial role in reducing landfill waste, conserving natural resources and promoting sustainable recycling practices.

Junkyards

Junkyards, on the other hand, focus less on scrap metal and instead accept a wide range of different unwanted items, from old furniture to electronics. Instead of primarily focusing on recycling materials like scrapyards, the main function of junkyards is to store and resell usable parts and dispose of unwanted items. Junkyards also tend to offer limited payouts in comparison to scrapyards.

Do I Need a Scrapyard or a Junkyard?

If you’re struggling to decide whether you need a scrapyard or junkyard, first consider what types of materials you have and whether you want them to be recycled. If you have non-metal household junk or furniture that you just want to get rid of, a junkyard is probably your best bet.

If you want an environmentally friendly option and have scrap metal that you are looking to recycle (and receive payment for!), a scrap yard, like us at A&L, will be perfect for you.

To check out our current scrap metal prices or to find out how much your old car is worth, use the buttons below.

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If you have an unused car taking up space on your property, you are probably wondering what you should do with it. Your three main options are as follows: you can either scrap the car, sell the car or donate it.

So, how do you decide what option is best for you? Continue reading this blog to find out!

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You Should Sell Your Car If…

• The car is relatively new, still in good condition and you have no need for it.
• You have the time to take photos and advertise the car, handle enquiries, negotiate prices and arrange a sale.
• You are willing to risk dealing with unreliable buyers or scams.

You Should Donate Your Car If…

• You want a quick and easy solution that avoids the efforts of selling a used car (see above).
• You have no need for the car e.g. you have decided to stop driving, are moving or have inherited a car.
• You want to support a cause or charity that makes a difference for people in need.
• You’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint.

You Should Scrap Your Car If…

• The cost of repairs is more than your car’s worth.
• The car is heavily damaged or written off.
• You are looking for an environmentally responsible way to dispose of the car.
• You could do with some extra money in the bank!

Scrapping vs Donating a Car

Charities usually accept donations of cars in any condition, even if they are destined for the scrap card. Depending on the state of the car, it will either be sold at auction, broken down for parts or sent for scrap, with all proceedings going to your chosen charity.

In order to donate your car, all you will need to do is choose a charity and arrange for the vehicle’s collection. In some locations you can even receive tax benefits for charitable contributions – so getting rid of your car could still be financially advantageous even if you decide to donate it!

You can also choose to combine scrapping and donating your car by donating your car’s scrap value to a charity. This is a great option for those who want to responsibly dispose of their old car while supporting a good cause.

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At A&L Vehicle Recycling, we can turn your old car into cash! We can arrange a hassle-free collection of your scrap car and have money in your bank ASAP, then you can choose whether you want to keep it for yourself or donate it to charity.

Curious to know how much you can get for your old car? Click the button below to generate a FREE instant quote for your vehicle.

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Scrap metal grading is the process of classifying scrap metal based on its type, purity, form and contamination level. This grading level then has a significant impact on the scrap metal value and how it can be processed, with higher grades being given to purer and more valuable metals, while lower grades are assigned to materials with impurities or mixed components.

To learn more about scrap metal grading, keep reading this blog!

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Key Factors for Grading:

• Metal Type: Specific metal types like copper, brass, aluminium and different grades of steel will get you the highest price for your scrap.

• Purity: The percentage of the primary metal in a material is a key factor when it comes to scrap metal grading. Materials that have the highest purity levels will secure better prices.

• Contamination: Any presence of dirt, plastic, paint, oil or solder will lower the grade and price of a material. A piece of copper could be 99% pure, but if it is not clean of all external contamination, it will receive a Grade 2, not Grade 1.

• Form: In order to achieve top grading, the scrap metal must also be a particular diameter and size. Long or solid pieces of metal achieve higher grades than bent or small materials.

The Grading Process:

Scrap yards will start by using magnets to separate ferrous materials (like iron and steel) and non-ferrous metals (like aluminium and copper). Graders will then assess each piece of metal’s cleanliness and identify any attached or foreign materials. Some scrap yards will even use X-ray technology to get rapid and accurate analysis of the alloy composition and elemental makeup of the metal. Based on this analysis, materials will be sorted into recognised categories or grades.

Each grade has a corresponding price based on market rates and influenced by the metal’s purity and the amount of processing required for refining. To learn more about the current scrap metal prices in the UK, check out our Scrap Metal Prices page.

At A&L, we buy any unwanted scrap metal, whether you have pure copper and lead or just old household appliances and car parts that have been kicking around.

We offer competitive prices that are in line with the best rates available, so if you are unsure on how much your scrap metal is worth or what grade it is, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us – we can even pay you on the same day!

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