Can I scrap my car without a title?

If you need to scrap a vehicle without a valid logbook, you will need to obtain permission from DVLA. You’ll normally need to visit your local driving licensing centre to do this, and may have to pay a small cost in order to release the vehicle’s registration. 

Although your car may have been written off by the insurance company, the logbook paperwork proving its existence first needs to be properly disposed of. If your car does not have a logbook after it has been written off, then before any sale can take place you should apply for a new logbook so that no further injury or distress is caused.

The V5 registration document

If you've lost your logbook the road ahead could be a little bumpy. Without this vital document, you’ll have to get more information from your car manufacturer before you take any action to scrap your vehicle.

If you own an old car that you wish to dispose of, but the vehicle registration document is missing, it isn’t a cause for concern. Many people, particularly those who have owned cars for over 3 years, forget to cancel their old logbooks. The V5C is used to keep track of your vehicles’ history and can be replaced from the DVLA.

You can also apply for new registration if the previous one was damaged. The cost for a replacement can vary from £30-£90 depending on what type you are looking for, and if you apply online there is no charge at all.

The V5 logbook is an essential document for all UK registered vehicles. It identifies the legal owner of the car, and in the event of vehicle theft, it would have been checked by law enforcement to ensure that the stolen vehicle was not being used legally by its new criminal owners.

Proof of address and photo identification

Once you are ready to scrap your car, contact the ATF and arrange a time to have them come and pick up your vehicle. You’ll need to provide photo identification such as a passport or driver’s license, as well as proof of address such as a household bill or recent utility bill. You will be asked by the ATF to sign a disclaimer.

This is just standard practice for anything not originating from the manufacturer (e.g., second-hand goods). When all of the illegible writing has been scrawled in the boxes provided, sign at the bottom and hand over your keys.

Informing the DVLA

You must notify the DVLA that your vehicle has been scrapped using a V62 application. After completion, you’ll need to post this to DVLA in Swansea providing them with all of the information which they need to cancel the title as well as to dispose of any remaining documents and records related to your old car.