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Selecting a Modern Vehicle Recycler

There are usually a few vehicle recyclers in every town, ranging from the small one-man operations to the large-scale yards such as ourselves. Whilst the size of the yard is not necessarily a guide to the professionalism of a dismantler, the way they conduct their recycling operation is a key factor in discerning a modern recycler.

When selecting a vehicle recycler you should look to see if they have an environment agency license and waste carriers license, and if they are members of any of the following industry organisations:

Each of these organisations has some form of application process and this means a vehicle recycler must show professional competence before being allowed membership.

Environmental Care & Protection

Modern recyclers have a duty and responsibility to ensure that the fluids and contaminants they come into contact with such as used motor oil, coolant water mixed with anti-freeze, brake fluid, etc. do not have an adverse effect the immediate environment. Ideally such contaminants should be stored safely and disposed to specialist recyclers and/or reprocessors. Although this may be hard for the casual observer to ascertain, an easy solution is to look at how clean the yard is!

UK vehicle dismantlers are now required to issue waste transfer notices when buying end-of-life vehicles, regardless of the source of the vehicle. Many dismantler include this notice as part of the buying document itself, whilst others will ask you to complete and sign a separate transfer notice. If a vehicle dismantler does not offer any form of receipt for the transfer of the vehicle, consider whether you want to proceed with transfer or at least ask them for a receipt and a copy of a waste transfer note. If they cannot provide you with a waste transfer note, think twice about using them to dispose of your vehicle. If the vehicle is not disposed of correctly the last registered keeper will continue to pay the road fund license until proof is shown.

Many dismantlers will request the registration document with the transfer of the vehicle. This is a fairly standard practice that allows the dismantler to see proof of the identity of the registered keeper of the vehicle (the document does NOT prove legal ownership of a vehicle). In addition you may be asked to provide the last MOT certificate and any service records you may have, as well as some personal identification such as a driving license, passport, or a utility bill. Although it may not be obvious to you, the dismantler can often use the information in these documents to assist with selling recycled spares. It also allows the recycler to give a more complete record to the DLVA at the time of disposal and for issuing a Certificate of Destruction.

A professional vehicle dismantler will notify DVLA that they have disposed of your vehicle either through an internet link or by submitting a V860 form. This was introduced to stop the practice of "Ringing" (applying a vehicle identity to a similar stolen vehicle). When the Notification of Destruction is processed by DVLA a marker is applied to the vehicle record to say that is has been permanently destroyed and will not longer be used on a public road. Should anyone attempt to register or licence a marked vehicle DVLA will inform the police of their details and they will be questioned about why they have tried to register/licence a vehicle that has been destroyed. Ask your chosen vehicle dismantler if they submit a Notification of Destruction, if they reply "What's that?", think again about transferring your vehicle to them!