Farmer Sentenced After Scrap Vehicle Discovery
A farmer in Northern Ireland was handed a suspended prison sentence last month after hundreds of scrap vehicles were discovered on land under his control (along with large quantities of other illegally-stored waste).
As reported by FarmingUK, John Baird of Banbridge was sentenced at Newry Crown Court on 2 October 2026. The sentence: six months in prison, suspended for two years.
Environmental inspectors had found hundreds of end-of-life vehicles alongside waste including vehicle parts, scrap metal, plastics and timber at two sites for which Mr Baird was reponsible. He admitted two counts of unauthorised keeping of controlled waste under the Waste and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997. The sites were eventually cleared at his expense.
This case highlights the importance of dealing with scrap vehicles properly. But John Baird was sentenced in Northern Ireland; what are the rules for us here in Wales?
What are the rules for end-of-life vehicles in Wales?
An end-of-life vehicle, or ELV for short, is a vehicle that is no longer in use and has effectively become waste. ELV regulations differ somewhat from one jurisdiction to the next, but in England and Wales, ELVs are classified as hazardous waste and can only be processed by authorised treatment facilities (ATFs). In Wales specifically, vehicle treatment facilities must be registered with Natural Resources Wales.
Once an old vehicle has been handed over to an ATF, they will depollute it – that is, remove any chemicals that might pose an environmental hazard – and salvage any valuable parts before crushing down whatever remains.
FURTHER READING: What happens to scrapped cars at an ATF?
Is it illegal to keep an old car on my property?
No, there's no law against simply keeping an old vehicle on your property. A car does not automatically become an 'end-of-life vehicle' just because you're not using it any more. The law says it's only waste if the holder has discarded it, so you're perfectly within your rights to keep a broken-down old banger parked on your driveway or in your garage (as long as it's not polluting the environment, e.g. by leaking chemicals). However, if you abandon said old banger in a field somewhere, then it's an ELV and thus a piece of hazardous waste under English and Welsh law.
Of course, keeping an unwanted car on your property still means sacrificing valuable space – and leaving money on the table! An ATF like A&L Vehicle Recycling (Natural Resources Wales permit number: AP3095FU) will pay you a decent price for that old vehicle, so you're missing out if you hang on to it.
Remember: in England and Wales, it is illegal to abandon your vehicle or scrap it anywhere other than an authorised treatment facility (ATF).
How to deal with an end-of-life vehicle
It's easy to scrap an unwanted car without breaking the law. Here's what to do:
1. Choose an authorised treatment facility
Make sure your vehicle will be processed at an ATF. For example, A&L Vehicle Recycling is an authorised treatment facility in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan.
2. Drop off the vehicle or arrange collection
If the vehicle is still roadworthy, you can drive it to the scrap yard yourself; if not, the ATF may offer to collect it from your address. Here at A&L, we offer free scrap car collection from most addresses in South Wales.
Be sure to remove your personal belongings from the vehicle before handing it over!
3. Notify the DVLA
You must tell the DVLA that you have handed your vehicle to an ATF. Failing to notify the DVLA may lead to a £1,000 fine.
4. Keep your Certificate of Destruction
When an ATF scraps your car, it must issue a Certificate of Destruction (CoD) within seven days. You should keep this document as proof that the vehicle was disposed of lawfully.
Don't wait for your old car to become a problem – take action now and get some money for it! Click the button below to get a free, no-obligation scrap car quote from A&L Vehicle Recycling.
