What Happens When I Scrap My Van? London Drivers Should Know This

There are many grey areas surrounding scrapping vans. In particular, most people are curious about the specifics of the process. That’s why they ask themselves, what happens when I scrap my van? London-based drivers should familiarise themselves with this, especially if they’re sceptical about the idea.

This entry will explain what happens once you scrap your van.

Scrapping a Van 101

You might think your van can be scrapped at any facility. However, working with unverified providers is extremely risky since it may be illegal and subject to heavy fines.

The only way to prevent this is to take your van to an ATF (authorised treatment facility). Here’s what they generally do once you hand over your vehicle:

Depollution Procedure

Extracting hazardous materials is the first and most important step of scrapping your van. The contractors remove the battery because it contains acid that may lead to blindness. It also contains lead that causes poisoning when ingested.

Your fuel tank will be removed, too, as well as any airbags. Both products are dangerous since they can explode.

Seat belt pretensioners are another element extracted for safety, as they contain pyrotechnic charges.

Safe Fluid Disposal

The fluids in your scrapped van also need to be removed correctly. The remaining anti-freeze, oils, coolants, and fuel can contaminate the water supply and soil if not addressed appropriately.

Any vehicle parts that have pollutants and fluids must be disposed of, too. The list includes the oil cap and catalytic converter. Removing them safely helps protect the environment from toxic substances.

Recycling Tires

The tyres of your scrapped car are usually removed for recycling at a specialised facility. For the sake of safety, these facilities only keep a specific number of tyres on their premises.

This is because their materials can easily catch fire. A large number of tyres in one place can burn at sky-high temperatures for multiple days.

Crushing the Scrapped Van

When the depollution and recycling processes are complete, the next step is to crush the scrapped van. The individual components are separated through material classification. Metal, plastic, and fibre parts are taken out safely and recycled.

Receiving Payment

Your ATF can pay you in several ways. Most providers offer cheques, bank transfers, and cash. The first two might be the most secure forms of payment, but you shouldn’t have any issues with providers that pay in cash.

However, you should verify their trustworthiness by reading reviews. If the company was involved in legal trouble, avoid accepting cash payments.

Certificate of Destruction and Notifying the DVLA

Within a week or two of scrapping your van, the ATF should send you a Certificate of Destruction (CoD), confirming your vehicle was disposed of. You might need to wait a bit longer, depending on how long it takes to dispose of your van.

The next step is to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) about the scrapped van. Otherwise, the authorities may issue a fine of up to £1,000.

Prior to handing the V5 logbook to your scrapyard, be sure it contains a yellow section. There’s a slip that needs to be posted to the DVLA because it confirms your van has been scrapped.

If you can’t find your V5 document, report it to the DVLA. Include the name and address of your ATF and mention the date of the transaction. Don’t forget to write down your van make, model, and registration number.

Make sure to double-check the application before submitting it. The DVLA may reject your application if it doesn’t have all the necessary information and falsely register you as a keeper of a scrapped vehicle.

Tax Refunds and Cancelling Insurance

Scrapping your van may make you eligible for unused road tax. You can receive a refund after obtaining the Certificate of Destruction and contacting the DVLA. You might also be able to cancel your insurance policy.

Post-Van Scrapping Simplified

Before reading this article, you may have asked yourself: is it safe to scrap my van? London motorists have faced some issues in the past, and I don’t want to go through the same difficulties.

But now you know that scrapping a van comprises eco-friendly practices and minimises the risk of health problems. Plus, the chances of fraud are slim to none, provided you do your due diligence.

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