The time has come to bid farewell to your old car. Perhaps it was the heart-sinking moment of a failed MOT or the daunting prospect of a hefty repair bill that nudged you towards this decision. Regardless of the catalyst, it's crucial to navigate the vehicle disposal process correctly.

Expertise

Disposing of a car is far from straightforward, necessitating considerable expertise. A vehicle that has served its time embarks on a comprehensive recycling journey, undergoing several key stages.

The Recycling Process

Initially, the vehicle must be transported to an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF). These facilities operate under strict regulations by the Environment Agency, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, or Natural Resources Wales, ensuring that scrap vehicles are recycled according to current legislative standards.

The recycling journey of every scrap car or van involves a crucial de-pollution phase to eliminate all hazardous materials. It's imperative that as much of the vehicle as possible is recycled to meet established recycling targets. Initially, the EU set a recycling goal in 2005 of 85%, marking a substantial 10% rise from previous levels. This target was subsequently increased to 95%.

The vehicle undergoes thorough drainage of all fluids, including petrol, oil, anti-freeze, and brake and transmission fluids, along with various lubricants. These fluids are then securely stored and transported to processing facilities.

Components deemed safe and reusable are carefully extracted from the vehicle.

The quantity of parts that can be repurposed varies with the vehicle's age and condition. Unsalvageable components are detached and stored securely until disposal.

The vehicle's frame and any residual parts are then compressed in a crusher, turning the scrap metal into a more manageable form, before being fed into a shredder.

After shredding, the metal is sorted into ferrous and non-ferrous categories, with any remaining waste material (such as glass, foam, and plastic) being responsibly disposed of.

Subsequently, the scrap metal undergoes melting, preparing it for recycling.

Upon completion of the scrap car's processing, the Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF) issues a Certificate of Destruction (CoD) to inform the DVLA that the vehicle has been destroyed.

"How can I scrap my car?"

If you're wondering, "How can I scrap my car?" and are searching for a trustworthy service, simply request an instant quotation here. Your old car's journey from driveway to recycling is not just the end of the road but the beginning of a new cycle of sustainability.