Thousands of old and broken-down cars are left to rust in car parks, roadsides and garages each year. In fact, in 2021 21,106 cars were abandoned in the UK alone!
While it may seem like the simple and easy option to walk away from your vehicle once it’s no longer useful, abandoning your car is an illegal and potentially harmful move to make that will ultimately lead to you missing out on some extra cash.
Why Abandoning Your Car Is a Bad Idea
1. Environmental damage
Abandoned vehicles pose a significant risk to the environment. As the car deteriorates over time it can leak harmful substances like engine oil, brake fluid and antifreeze which can then contaminate nearby soil and water sources. Rusting metals and other materials can also pollute the environment and cause long-term damage.
2. Danger to the public
These leaking harmful fluids combined with the possible broken glass and sharp metal edges of an abandoned car can pose a danger to public safety. Plus, an abandoned vehicle left in public areas can also become a target for vandalism, arson and other illegal activity.
3. Legal consequences
Abandoning a car in the UK is a criminal offense under the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978. If you are found to have abandoned a car, you could face significant legal consequences, including fines of up to £2500 and three months’ imprisonment. Many councils will often also impose penalties to cover the cost of removing and scrapping the vehicle.
4. Loss of value
Even if your car is written off and completely undrivable, it will still have value as scrap metal or for its usable parts. Abandoning your car and leaving it to rot means you will lose out on all of that potential cash.
Why Scrapping Your Car is a Great Idea!
Scrapping a car with a registered ATF is by far the more responsible and profitable way to dispose of a vehicle that is at the end of its life. Here’s why…
1. Eco-friendly Disposal
By scrapping your car you can ensure that it is properly and responsibly recycled, with all hazardous materials safely removed and disposed of.
2. Car Collection Services
Many authorised treatment facilities – like us at A&L – will pick up your old car for free, making the entire scrapping process easy and hassle-free.
3. Cash in Your Pocket
Depending on the make, model and condition of your car, you could earn anywhere from £100 to £1000 by scrapping it.
Want to find out how much you can get for your scrap car? Click the button below for a FREE, no-obligation scrap car quote.
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