Scrap My Car in London

How much is my scrap car worth in London?

Most scrap cars in London are worth between £150 and £400. The figure is set by your vehicle's kerb weight and the current scrap metal price, so a heavier car pays more than a lighter one in the same condition. London prices track the national market closely, with no local premium or penalty.

The table below gives typical figures by vehicle type. Your exact quote depends on the live metal price on the day and whether the vehicle still has its catalytic converter, battery and wheels.

Why are scrap car prices based on weight?

A scrap car is bought as recoverable material, not as a working vehicle. Once it reaches an Authorised Treatment Facility it is depolluted and separated into steel, aluminium and other metals, which are sold by the tonne. A heavier vehicle yields more material, so weight is the honest basis for a price.

This is why a non-runner with a blown engine and a car that drove to the yard under its own power are often worth the same amount. Condition matters for salvage vehicles, where parts have resale value. For genuine end-of-life vehicles, weight is what determines the cheque.

Do you collect scrap cars anywhere in London?

Yes. We cover all 32 London boroughs and the City of London, including every postcode in the E, EC, N, NW, SE, SW, W and WC districts, plus the outer areas of BR, CR, DA, EN, HA, IG, KT, RM, SM, TW and UB. Collection is free everywhere in the capital.

London collections need more planning than most. Our collection agents handle permit-only bays, controlled parking zones, estate car parks with height barriers, and terraced streets too narrow for a full-size transporter. If your vehicle is on a red route, in an underground car park, or blocked in by other cars, tell us when you book so the right vehicle and equipment are sent.

We collect from residential addresses, workplaces, lock-ups, garages and private land. Vehicles without keys, without wheels, or that have not moved in years are all fine, though it helps to say so in advance.

Can I scrap a car that does not meet ULEZ?

Yes, and it is one of the most common reasons Londoners scrap. The Ultra Low Emission Zone has covered all London boroughs since August 2023, charging £12.50 a day for non-compliant vehicles. For an older car used occasionally, that charge can quickly exceed what the vehicle is worth keeping on the road.

Broadly, petrol cars registered before 2006 and diesels before September 2015 are likely to be non-compliant, though you should check your own registration on Transport for London's website rather than rely on the year alone. If the sums no longer work, scrapping releases the value in the metal and stops the daily charges, insurance and tax immediately.

What documents do I need to scrap my car in London?

You need the V5C logbook and photographic ID matching the registered keeper's address. The keys and any service history are useful but not essential. You do not need an MOT certificate, and the vehicle does not need to be roadworthy, taxed or insured to be collected.

How do I get a Certificate of Destruction?

Your Certificate of Destruction is issued by the Authorised Treatment Facility that dismantles the vehicle, and must be provided within seven days of the car being destroyed. It is the legal proof that the vehicle has been permanently taken off the road and that you are no longer the registered keeper.

Every buyer in our network is a licensed ATF, so a CoD is issued on every scrapped vehicle as standard. Keep it. It is your protection if the registration is ever misused, and it is the document insurers and the DVLA will ask for.

How will I be paid?

Payment is made by bank transfer, before or at the point of collection. Paying cash for a scrap vehicle has been illegal in England and Wales since the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, so any London buyer offering you notes on the doorstep is operating outside the law and will not be issuing a valid Certificate of Destruction.

The price you are quoted is the price you are paid. We do not renegotiate at the roadside, which is a common tactic elsewhere in the market.

How long does the whole process take?

Most London collections are arranged within one to three working days of accepting a quote, and same-day or next-day collection is often available. The quote itself takes under a minute. Payment clears on collection day, and the Certificate of Destruction follows once the vehicle has been processed at the yard.

Is my car scrap or salvage?

As a rough guide, vehicles over ten years old with no resale value in their parts are scrapped, while newer or lightly damaged vehicles may be worth more as salvage. Classic, rare and modified cars can hold salvage value well beyond ten years. Our quote system checks both routes and returns whichever pays you more.

You can read the full breakdown on our scrapping my car guide, or see current figures on our scrap car prices page.

What do I need to tell the DVLA?

You must notify the DVLA that your vehicle has been sold for scrap, which you can do online using the yellow section of your V5C. Failing to notify them can result in a fine of up to £1,000, and you remain liable for the vehicle until you do. Any remaining full months of road tax are refunded automatically.

Scrap your car in London today

Enter your registration and postcode at the top of this page for an instant weight-based quote. Free collection across every London borough, guaranteed prices, ATF-registered depots and a Certificate of Destruction on every vehicle.

We also cover Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Bristol and Wakefield.