Ensuring Legal Documentation is Properly Completed

15th Jul, 2025

When you scrap a car, it’s easy to think the job is done once the tow truck rounds the corner, but the most important part of the process isn’t the collection; it’s the paperwork. Getting the documentation right is the only way to formally separate you from that old car forever. Get it wrong, and you could be facing fines and headaches months or even years down the line.

Think of the paperwork as your official record it’s your undeniable proof that everything was done by the book. While it might feel like boring admin, handling this correctly is the key to your peace of mind.

At Scrap Car Network, we manage all this for you, ensuring every form is correctly handled. But it’s crucial for every car owner to understand what these documents are and why they matter so much.

The Two Pillars of Paperwork: Your V5C and the CoD

When it comes to scrapping a car, there are two documents that are absolutely essential. Handling them correctly is the foundation of a safe and compliant scrapping process.

1. Your V5C Logbook: The document that proves you’re the keeper.
2. The Certificate of Destruction (CoD): The document that proves the car is gone for good.

Let’s look at each one in turn.

First Up: Handling Your V5C Logbook Correctly

When you look at your V5C logbook, it’s best to think of it as your car’s passport. It holds all its vital information, including the VIN and engine number, and proves who is legally responsible for it. When you scrap the car, you are essentially telling the DVLA that this passport is no longer valid.

A common mistake is handing over the entire V5C document to the scrap collector. A rogue trader with a full logbook could potentially apply for a new one in their name, sell the car on, or use its identity for fraudulent purposes. You need to keep a specific part of it as your initial proof of transfer.

What You Need to Do:

• Find the yellow slip on your V5C. On older logbooks, this is Section 9. On newer ones (post-2019), it’s Section 4.
• This section is labelled “Selling or transferring your vehicle to a motor trader, insurer or dismantler.”
• You and the collection driver should sign this slip, filling in the date and business details of the scrap dealer.
• You keep this slip. This is your proof of the handover until the official Certificate of Destruction arrives.

For instance, an owner might hand over the whole logbook thinking they’re being helpful, but an unlicensed dealer could then use it to sell the car on. Because the owner had no proof of the transfer, they can face a long and stressful battle to sort out the mess. If you’ve lost your V5C, you can find guides on how to change the registered keeper of your car which explain the official process.

Next, Securing Your Certificate of Destruction (CoD)

While the V5C slip acts as your temporary proof, the Certificate of Destruction is the final, formal confirmation that your car has been recycled. This is the official document that ends your registered keepership of the vehicle.

Why It’s So Important:

• Your Official Proof: Once a CoD is issued, the DVLA’s records are updated. This means you can no longer be held responsible for a £1,000 fine for failing to tax the vehicle, or any other penalties.
• Proof of Proper Recycling: A CoD can only be issued by a licensed Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF). This means your car has been depolluted of up to 7 litres of hazardous fluids and that up to 95% of its materials have been recycled according to strict environmental standards.

What a CoD Contains

A genuine CoD is an official DVLA document and will always contain specific information:

• The date of issue.
• The ATF’s name, address, and permit number.
• Your name and address as the last keeper.
• The vehicle’s registration number, make, model, and VIN.

What to Expect:

• The ATF is legally required to issue the CoD within 7 days of scrapping your vehicle.
• It will usually be sent to you as a digital PDF via email, but some still send paper copies.
• If you haven’t received it after a week, the recommended step is to contact the scrap dealer immediately. A legitimate service will have no problem chasing it up for you.

Never, ever use a dealer who tells you a CoD “isn’t necessary” or is “just a formality.” This is a massive red flag and often indicates you’re dealing with an illegal dealer of scrap car services.

What If I’ve Already Scrapped My Car and Have No Paperwork?

This is a stressful situation, but not an uncommon one. If you’ve handed over your car and have no V5C slip and no CoD, there are established steps to take.

1. Contact the Dealer Immediately: The first step is usually to contact the scrap dealer to request the Certificate of Destruction. If they are evasive or the number is no longer in service, it may indicate a problem.
2. Check the DVLA’s Records: The DVLA provides a free online Vehicle Enquiry Service, which you can find by searching “DVLA vehicle enquiry” on the GOV.UK website. You just need the car’s registration number. This will tell you if the car is still taxed and has a valid MOT. If it does, it almost certainly hasn’t been scrapped.
3. Inform the DVLA in Writing: The official process involves informing the DVLA in writing about what has happened. A letter should explain the date the car was taken, the name and address of the scrap dealer (if you have it), and state that you have not received a CoD. This creates a paper trail of the actions you have taken.

Creating Your Own Safety Net: Good Record-Keeping

With these two key documents handled, the final step is to keep them safe. A simple record of everything doesn’t have to be a complicated filing system; a single digital folder on your computer or a physical file is perfect.

Your “scrapping file” should contain:

• The yellow V5C slip you kept, as proof of the handover.
• The email or letter confirming you’ve notified the DVLA, which is your proof of action.
• The Certificate of Destruction (CoD), your final proof of legal disposal.
• A receipt of the transaction from the scrap dealer, showing the amount paid.

Keeping these documents safe for a year or two is a sensible precaution. It means if any questions ever arise, you have all the proof you need at your fingertips.

The Easiest Way to Handle the Paperwork

Of course, the simplest way to ensure all this is handled correctly is to use a service that makes it a priority. At Scrap Car Network, we have built our entire process around secure and compliant documentation.

• We Guide You Through the V5C: Our collection partners will show you exactly what to do with your logbook.
• We Guarantee a CoD: We ensure a Certificate of Destruction is issued for every vehicle we process.
• We Notify the DVLA: We take care of the official notification, so you don’t have to worry.

Choosing a service that guarantees correct paperwork provides significant peace of mind. This focus on compliance is one of the key advantages of choosing Scrap Car Network. If you have any questions about the documents you need, you can get in touch with our team for direct support.

Don’t Get Caught Out by Admin

Don’t let a simple bit of paperwork become a future regret. By taking a few moments to manage your V5C and secure your Certificate of Destruction, you close the book on your old car cleanly, legally, and permanently.