Everything that we one will one day come to the end of its life, but parting with things can be difficult - especially if you're conscious of the impact you're having on the environment. When it comes to cars, there are so many things that can go wrong that can cause your car to be no longer road-worthy. When this happens, you have two options, repair the car, or send it to the scrap yard. But is scrapping your car bad for the environment?

Today we're going to look at what happens to cars that go to the scrap yard to determine whether the process is eco-friendly or not. So, if you've been thinking about scrapping your car, but want the low-down on the environmental impact, just keep reading. 

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What happens to cars at the scrap yard?

According to data gathered by Compare the Market, "The target for end-of-life vehicles is 95% recovery and 85% recycling by average weight of each ELV." There are lots of different parts of vehicles that can be stripped down and recycled including, but not limited to:

• The catalytic converter
• Fabric from the interior and seats
• Plastic elements from the dashboard
• Car batteries
• Rubber from the tyres
• Metal from the chassis
• Engine oil

Second-hand parts

Another great way that car parts can be recycled is in a breaker's yard. There are lots of examples of cars that come to the scrap yard that has sustained some damage, but still contain a lot of working parts. These cars can be useful for people who are looking to replace a particular part of their car but don't want to fork out for a brand-new item. Being able to break down and reuse parts from old cars is beneficial for the environment, and it stops perfectly good working parts of cars from sitting in the scrap yard for the rest of their lives!

What can recycled parts be turned into?

Wondering what happens to all the parts that can be recycled? They go on to become a huge range of different things - some things that you might not expect. Once parts have been removed from a car, they basically become raw materials again, which means the fabric that's stripped from your car seats, might end up as part of someone's sofa! Let's take a look at some more things that your car parts go on to create. 

• Windscreens and windows - can be turned into glass bottles, fibreglass insulation, ornaments, drinking glasses, and more...

• Scrap metal - like steel and aluminium can be melted down and re-purposed into all kinds of things!

• Precious metals - that are commonly found in catalytic converters can be taken out and turned into jewellery or used to create sophisticated medical devices. 

• Car tyres - can pollute our air if they're burnt rather than recycled. If they're recycled, they can be turned into asphalt for paving/roads, rubber chippings for surfaces and more...

• Plastics - can be turned into garden furniture, household bins, carpets, clothing, pipework etc. It's often melted down to make it more versatile!

• Fabric - including the mats and carpets from the interior of your car might end up in cushions, mattresses, sofas, chairs, and more...

So, if you've been thinking about scrapping your car but have been worried about the impact it has on the environment, hopefully this puts your mind to rest. If you'd like to scrap your car, we can provide you with a quote free of charge! Simply put your registration number and postcode into our website and we'll provide a quote instantly! For more information, get in touch. 

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You may have heard of people sneaking around in the dead of night and taking bits of people's cars, but did you know that 9 times out of 10 they're probably stealing a catalytic converter? Catalytic converters are a precious piece of kit and can fetch a hefty price when sold or scrapped, which is why criminals go to such lengths to get their hands on them.

But why are catalytic converters so valuable? And will your car survive without one? If you've been asking yourself these very questions then you're in the right place. Today we're going to talk you through the purpose of a catalytic converter, why it's so valuable, and what you should do if you wake up and find out yours has gone missing! [more]

What Is a Catalytic Converter?

Catalytic converters have been fitted to cars since 1992, and nowadays every car (except the fancy new electric ones) will have a catalytic converter to help clean harmful gases from your car's exhaust emissions.

A series of chemical reactions that take place in the catalytic converter change gases such as carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen dioxide, into less harmful by-products.

The inside of a catalytic converter has a distinct honeycomb appearance and is coated with a catalyst that aids in processing the exhaust gases. Without a catalytic converter, your car would be spouting all kinds of harmful chemicals into the atmosphere.

While petrol cars will never be as eco-friendly as the electric alternatives we see today, catalytic converters work hard to reduce the environmental impact of our cars. 

Why Are Catalytic Converters So Valuable?

Catalytic converters are fitted to any car with an internal combustion engine, so they're not exactly hard to come by. So if they're not rare, why are they so valuable? Well, the reason catalytic converters are so valuable is that they contain precious metals such as platinum, rhodium, and palladium.

Platinum

Catalytic converters contain platinum, a metal you might associate with luxury jewellery. Despite looking good in jewellery, platinum also has many other scientific qualities as an electrode that allow it to be suitable for a range of other uses, including: 

• Optical fibres and wires
• Medical equipment such as pacemakers
• Catalytic converters

Rhodium

Rhodium is one of the rarest metals in the world, and is also the most expensive; a single ounce is worth over £12k! Over 80% of the worlds rhodium is currently being used for catalytic converters. 

Palladium

Similar to platinum, palladium is also commonly used in jewellery as well as catalytic converters. Palladium also has the extraordinary ability to absorb 900 times its volume in hydrogen, making it invaluable as a material for a catalytic converter. 

As you can imagine, with a payload like this attached to every car on the street, catalytic converters are an excellent target for thieves and are also worth a lot of money when taken to scrap car dealers. The three precious metals above can be taken out of catalytic converters, recycled, and used to create jewellery, electronics, and more. 

How Much Are Catalytic Converters Worth?

As of early 2026 in the UK, catalytic converters are generally worth between £20 and £800, with some high-value units reaching up to £2,500 on the resale market. 

Hybrid vehicles and large SUVs often have the highest value because their catalytic converters are used less, leaving the precious metals inside in better condition. Luxury or performance vehicles like BMWs and Mercedes' also have higher-spec units with more precious mental content. 

Intact catalytic converters are worth more; any units with cuts, damage or missing honeycomb material will immediately be worth less. 

What Should I Do if My Catalytic Converter Is Stolen?

So we now know what a catalytic converter is and why it fetches such a high price when it's taken to a car scrap dealer, but what are you supposed to do if you wake up one day and find that your catalytic converter has been stolen?

Firstly, how will you even know it's been stolen? Well, you should be able to tell right away when you start your car up. The exhaust will make a much louder noise than usual! If you suspect your catalytic converter has been stolen, it's important that you phone the police and report the theft right away. 

Once you've reported the theft, you should contact your insurer to find out what steps you can take to get a new one as quickly as possible. As you can imagine, they're quite expensive to replace, so doing it through your insurance can help you manage the cost. 

Scrapping Your Car Is Easy With A&L Car Scrap Dealers

If your car has reached the natural end of its life, we want to help you get the best return possible. Here at A&L Car Scrap Dealers, we make it easy for you to get a quote and get rid of your car. You can get a quote instantly by putting your registration details and postcode into our website, then, once you're happy with the quote, we'll arrange to pick up your vehicle from your home - taking the stress out of the scrap process!

To find out more, get in touch with us today!

Read More: What are the most valuable parts of a scrap car?

As we move towards a greener, cleaner future, lots of people are deciding to scrap their old cars and upgrade to something more economical. That got us thinking - what were the most scrapped cars of 2022? Well, after a bit of research, we've pulled together a list of the most scrapped cars of 2022, so if you're curious, just keep reading! [more]

The most scrapped car of 2022 was the Ford Focus!

Ford Focuses have been on our roads since 1998, which might give you a good idea of why they're the most scrapped car of 2022 (and 2021). There's no doubt that these reliable little compact cars have been a firm favourite amongst new drivers and families for decades. They're cheap and they're reliable!

It's reported that both the Ford Focus and the Ford Fiesta could be discontinued as soon as 2025, with Ford pushing towards electrification and streamlining its portfolio. Will you be sad to see the Ford Focus go?

What other cars were scrapped in 2022?

As far as the top ten scrapped cars of 2022 go, you might be surprised to see some premium brands like BMW on the list! the top 5 spots are dominated by Ford and Vauxhall, but there are certainly some surprises further down the list. Let's break it down...

2 - Vauxhall Corsa

3 - Vauxhall Astra

4 - Ford Fiesta

5 - Volkswagen Golf

6 - BMW 3 Series

7 - Ford Transit

8 - Mini Hatch (Cooper/One)

9 - Vauxhall Zafira

10 - Renault Clio

Is your car on this list? Perhaps it's reaching the end of its natural life and is destined for the scrap yard! If you've been thinking about scrapping your car this year and getting something more economical - we can help. 

Here at A&L Vehicle Recycling, we can give you a quote for your scrap car instantly. All you need to do is enter your registration number and your postcode. We can even collect your car directly from your home, making the scrap process as easy as possible. 

Get an instant scrap car quote on our website now, or give us a call on 01446 701707, and a member of our team will be happy to help you.

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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. 

Scrap My Car >

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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