7 Mistakes to Avoid When Scrapping Your Car
Scrapping your car is usually quick and straightforward – but a few simple mistakes can make the process more stressful than it needs to be.
Here are some common mistakes that you should strive to avoid when scrapping your car:
- Leaving personal belongings in the vehicle
- Using an unlicensed scrap dealer
- Forgetting to tell the DVLA
- Accepting the first quote without comparing
- Removing parts without thinking it through
- Not having your documents ready
- Forgetting to sort your insurance and road tax
1. Leaving personal belongings in the vehicle
Before you hand over your car to the scrap dealer, take a few minutes to check it properly for personal items. It's very easy to forget about things that you tucked away in the boot, glove compartment, door pockets, under the seats, or even in the sun visor.
Phones, sunglasses, paperwork, tools and loose change are just some of the items that are commonly left behind in scrap cars. Once your vehicle has been dropped off at the scrap yard, it may not be possible to get these things back, so it's a good idea to do a thorough sweep beforehand.
2. Using an unlicensed scrap dealer
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when scrapping your car is choosing the wrong scrap dealer. In the UK, end-of-life vehicles can only be scrapped by an authorised treatment facility (ATF).
Selling your old car to an approved scrap yard ensures that the vehicle will be disposed of responsibly.
3. Forgetting to tell the DVLA
When your car is scrapped, you must inform the DVLA. This is a very important step because there's a £1,000 fine if you scrap your car without telling the DVLA.
Also, if the DVLA still has you listed as the vehicle's registered keeper, you can end up being chased for tax, fines or other issues connected to a vehicle you no longer own.
4. Accepting the first quote without comparing
Not all scrap merchants will pay the same amount for the same car. Some dealers may offer more than others depending on variables like the condition of your vehicle, your location relative to their scrap yard, the current value of scrap metal, etc.
It is always worth shopping around and comparing a few quotes before you make your final decision. Taking the time to do this could bag you a better deal.
5. Removing parts without thinking it through
Some people remove certain parts from their car before scrapping it in the hope of selling them off separately for a bit of extra money. This might seem like a shrewd move, but do bear in mind that this reduces the value of the vehicle itself.
Cars are generally worth more when they are complete. Removing parts such as the wheels, catalytic converter or battery is likely to affect the price you are offered.
6. Not having your documents ready
Scrapping a car is much easier when you have the right documents to hand. The key ones are: proof of ownership, proof of address, and some sort of photo ID. Having these items ready will help the scrapping process to proceed smoothly and swiftly.
LEARN MORE: What Documents Do I Need to Scrap My Car?
7. Forgetting to sort your insurance and road tax
Once your car has been scrapped, don't forget to cancel your insurance policy and check whether you are due a road tax refund. This is a step that's easy to overlook when you're focused on getting rid of the vehicle quickly.
Sorting these things out promptly can save you money by making sure you aren't continuing to pay for a car you no longer own.
Ready to scrap your car?
Most of the problems you can run into when scrapping your car come from small oversights. Checking the vehicle for belongings, having your documents ready and using a licensed ATF are the key things to remember if you want to keep headaches to a minimum.
Here at A&L Vehicle Recycling, we aim to make the car scrapping process as quick and as hassle-free as possible. We offer free quotes, fast collection and responsible vehicle recycling at our scrap yard in Barry.
If you're ready to scrap your car, why not get a free quote today?
