How to scrap my car for the best price: 2026 DVLA guide

CarTakeBack

The largest scrap recyling network in the UK, CarTakeBack will be one of the first names you come across if you're looking for somewhere to scrap your car. You can get an instant quote online with just the registration and your postcode, plus handily you don't need to create an account or enter your email address.

CarTakeBack will collect the car from you, although there's the option of dropping it off at a local branch. As well as petrol and diesel cars, it will also scrap electric and hybrid vehicles. It has recycled more than 7 million vehicles to date.

How much will CarTakeBack pay for my car?

We used a 1996 Ford Fiesta 1.3 Ghia with alloy wheels but no valid MoT located in Bedfordshire for our price comparisons. When it came to drop off, we chose the best price within a 25 mile distance.

National Scrap Car

National Scrap Car proudly claims it will take scrap and repairable cars from Land's End to John o'Groats through its network of authorised testing facilities and salvage vehicle buyers. By entering your registration and your postcode you can get a quote in 60 seconds.

It also offers free collection, DVLA forms completed for you and promises convenient collection times. The website is packed with useful info and it has a team of advisors on hand to offer one-to-one advice on the best course of action with your scrap or salvage car.

How much will National Scrap Car pay for my car?

We used a 1996 Ford Fiesta 1.3 Ghia with alloy wheels but no valid MoT located in Bedfordshire for our price comparisons. When it came to drop off, we chose the best price within a 25 mile distance.

Remove My Car

Remove My Car was established in 2009, making it one of longer-serving scrap car networks and it claims to offer coverage across the UK. It also offers an instant quote and unlike some other websites, you don't need to enter any details other than your registration and postcode, so you won't be bombarded by marketing emails afterwards.

Free collection and a completely fee-free service is also guaranteed, with payment by cheque or bank transfer also protected by a payment guarantee.

How much will Remove My Car pay for my car?

We used a 1996 Ford Fiesta 1.3 Ghia with alloy wheels but no valid MoT located in Bedfordshire for our price comparisons. When it came to drop off, we chose the best price within a 25 mile distance.

Motorwise

Motorwise is a car and van recycling company that deals in scrap and salvage, offering free quotations and nationwide collection. It has an impressive five star rating on TrustPilot, although at the time of writing this was based on just under 600 reviews.

Like most websites you simply enter your registration and postcode in order to receive a quote, but Motorwise gives you a collection price as well as a drop-off price for several locations, even if they are nowhere near your postcode. However, this was actually less than the collection price for our quote.

How much will Motorwise pay for my car?

We used a 1996 Ford Fiesta 1.3 Ghia with alloy wheels but no valid MoT located in Bedfordshire for our price comparisons. When it came to drop off, we chose the best price within a 25 mile distance.

Scrap Car Network

Scrap Car Network is another scrap service that offer the benefits of free and instant quotations, free collection and nationwide coverage. But there is an added benefit that you can help support a charity if you use their services. Scrap Car Network supports the Recycling Lives charity with donations and also offers its residents work placement and work experience opportunities.

Scrap Car Network offers collection-only rather than a drop-off option, but does give you the choice of AM or PM slots on a range of dates, or you can ask for a call back to arrange collection. It also has a strong rating of 4.9 on TrustPilot from more than 20,000 reviews.

How much will Scrap Car Network pay for my car?

We used a 1996 Ford Fiesta 1.3 Ghia with alloy wheels but no valid MoT located in Bedfordshire for our price comparisons. When it came to drop off, we chose the best price within a 25 mile distance.

ASM Autos

ASM Autos is one of the longest-established recyclers in the business having been set up in the 1990s and processes 30,000 vehicles a year, so there's some reassurance in using a company of this size. A visit to its website also shows parts, auction vehicles, engines and tyres for sale, so it might even be able to help you keep your car on the road.

One slight disadvantage of ASM is that it only covers Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire for collection, but you can drop off your car at one of its depots if it's close enough and this will usually increase your offer price.

How much will ASM Autos pay for my car?

We used a 1996 Ford Fiesta 1.3 Ghia with alloy wheels but no valid MoT located in Bedfordshire for our price comparisons. When it came to drop off, we chose the best price within a 25 mile distance.

Scrap Car Comparison

Scrap Car Comparison takes the price comparison model to the world of car recycling, so in theory this saves you time, getting quotes from up to 120 car recycling companies. It provides instant quotes and promises no hidden charges along with free collection. It only uses certified professional buyers so you can be sure your car is being taken care of the right way.

It also has call centre operatives ready to answer your queries and has a rating of 4.85 from over 3500 reviews on Review.io, which suggests plenty of happy customers.

How much will Scrap Car Comparison get for my car?

We used a 1996 Ford Fiesta 1.3 Ghia with alloy wheels but no valid MoT located in Bedfordshire for our price comparisons. When it came to drop off, we chose the best price within a 25 mile distance.

Scrapping your car: common questions and expert advice

How much is a scrap car worth in the UK (February 2026)?

As of February 2026, the average scrap car value ranges between £250 and £500. The exact price depends on the weight of your vehicle and the current global demand for steel and copper.

• Small cars (e.g. Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa): £250 – £280

• Medium cars (e.g. VW Golf, Ford Focus): £300 – £350

• Large SUVs/4x4s (e.g. Land Rover Discovery, BMW X5): £350 – £500+

What is the current scrap metal price per tonne?

In early 2026, the market has stabilised. Mixed "light iron" (the bulk of a car's shell) is trading at approximately £120 – £140 per tonne. However, non-ferrous metals like copper (found in wiring) and aluminium (found in engines/wheels) are currently at record highs, which is keeping car scrap values strong.

Does a car's condition affect its scrap value?

For "pure scrap," mechanical condition matters less than completeness. A non-running car with all its parts (engine, gearbox, and catalytic converter) is worth more than a running car that has been stripped. If your car is under 10 years old or has high-demand parts, it may be bought for "salvage" instead, which can pay over £1000.

Why is the catalytic converter so important for the price?

Catalytic converters contain precious metals like platinum and palladium. If your "cat" is missing, a scrap dealer may reduce your quote by £100 to £300. Always confirm if the quote assumes the catalytic converter is the original factory part.

Can I scrap a car without the V5C (logbook)?

Yes, you can legally scrap a car without the V5C, but it is more difficult. You must prove you are the rightful owner and the scrap yard must be an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF). You will still need to notify the DVLA in writing to avoid being held liable for the vehicle after it has been destroyed.

Will I get more money if I drop the car off myself?

Generally, yes. Most national networks offer "free collection," but this cost is factored into your quote. By dropping the car off at the scrapyard yourself, you can often negotiate an extra £20 – £40 on top of the price.