Considering using the Internet to organise disposal of your scrap car? You are not the only one – in fact the web has become the primary go-to for millions of car owners up and down the United Kingdom looking to get rid of their old vehicles.
Using the web to find vehicle scrapping and recycling services can be uniquely efficient and convenient. But at the same time, you have to be aware of the fact that not every service provider is operating at the same high level. Getting the job done online can save you time and money, but it is a process that must be approached thoughtfully.
Here’s a quick rundown of five important points to consider:
1 – Shop Around
First of all, be sure to take into account the kinds of deals that are being offered by multiple service providers, before making your final decision. The reason being that in terms of how your vehicle is recycled, what you can expect to be charged for collection and how much you will be paid for your vehicle will all vary significantly from one provider to the next. For the best possible deal that ticks all the right boxes, come to Take My Scrap Car!
2 – Notify The DVLA
Just as is the case when you sell a car, you need to ensure that the DVLA is made fully aware of the fact that you no longer own the vehicle. Failure to do so could mean finding yourself lumped with a pretty heavy fine. When you work with a reputable service provider, chances are they will help you through the process and make sure that all the paperwork is taken care of. If they don’t, consider working with someone else.
3 – Cash Payments Are Illegal
Ever since the Scrap Metal Dealers Act of October 2013 came into effect, it has been illegal to offer cash in hand payments for scrap cars. Nevertheless, there are still plenty of businesses and sole traders that continue to offer cash payments, without providing any kind of paperwork. In accordance with UK law, those taking and dealing in scrap cars need to take ID and proof of address from their customers, summarily holding onto the information for a minimum of 36 months. You should also be provided with a full receipt, detailing the transaction, the date and the amount paid.
4 – Dodgy Dealers Exist
While they may be present in relatively small numbers these days, there are still quite a few dodgy dealers doing the rounds. Some are neither licensed nor insured to be doing what they do, others throw endless hidden fees and charges into the equation and there will always be those who will tell you anything and everything to get you to hand over your car for free – or even to pay them to take your car off your hands.
5 – Don’t Dismantle Too Much!
Last but not least, while there’s nothing to say you cannot remove anything valuable from your car and the kinds of optional extras that may be worth good money, you must be aware of the fact that a lot of scrap car dealers will not take cars that have been partially dismantled. Or to put it another way, it often turns out to be something of an ‘all or nothing’ affair, so proceed with caution!