Is it possible to scrap a vehicle that isn't registered in the United Kingdom?

There are a few different ways you can scrap a non-UK registered car, but you’ll need to get the correct documentation from the car’s governing body.

Generally, it’s easiest to scrap a car in the country you registered it, but we can also help you out if you want to get rid of a vehicle that’s originally from the UK. We will require some details about your car before we can collect it for you, including its VIN number.

How do you know if your vehicle is registered in the United Kingdom?

If you’ve bought a car from outside the UK and imported it, there are special laws that apply to this process. You’ll need to tell HMRC that you’ve brought a car into the country – and you may need to pay duty and VAT on it. Once your business with HMRC is settled, you can then get the vehicle checked by the government’s IVA service.

If you haven’t imported your car, but it is at least 3 years old and you’ve filled in a V5C log book with your DVLA, then it will not be considered an imported car. However, if the vehicle has never had a V5C form registered with it before, it will be considered an imported car.

How do you know if your vehicle is registered in the United Kingdom?

The DVLA provides detailed rules about driving cars with foreign number plates without registering or taxing them in the UK. Generally, if you’re visiting and do not plan to live in the UK, you will be able to use the car for a total of 6 months on UK roads; as long as it’s taxed and registered in its home country.

Scrapping a car with foreign number plates can be a slippery slope. If you’re buying a car that is already in the UK, you should expect to pay for it fully before taking it away. At the very least, you should consult with us beforehand to make sure that your temporary import claim is going as planned. If you’re thinking of importing a new car; never let anyone organise the collection and all of the paperwork on your behalf.

To learn more, head to our UK used car scrapyard page to see what we're currently paying for your country’s vehicles, or check out our guide on scrapping a foreign registered car.