Should I scrap my car? If so, how?

[mh1923]

It's a 94 Citroen ZX. It's still running, but I ran into a post and the fender and bumper would need to be replaced to be considered roadworthy. Rather than spend that money (plus whatever money I'd have to spend to get it to pass it's MOT in June), I've decided to go carless through the spring and summer at least to save money and be all environmental and stuff.

I understand that scrap cars now are actually worth a little bit, but are there any pitfalls I should look out for? Or will I be safe just calling around to the ads in the back of the local paper? I googled around, and one of the sites said "We never pay for scrap vehicles and strongly advise against it. Most companies that pay a cash price probably have no intention of scrapping your vehicle and it could end up back on the road without change of ownership and amounting parking tickets in your name or worse still become a death trap while sold on for profit."

I'm not really worried about the car being a death trap--it was safe enough for me to drive around in for a year and a half--but I don't want to get in any trouble. Can anyone give me any advice? I'm feeling a little out of my depth.

[tomstickland]

That quote is wonderful scare mongering. One the biggest scrap yards round here pays cash for cars.

[Iamthesmartestmanalive]

The difference is were the car is actually going to be scrapped or dismantled/sold on

If its a straight scrap job then given the legislation it will likely cost you, however many scrappies wont actually scrap the car, they will instead store it and dismantle it for parts or repair it and sell it on - given they have access to lots of cheap parts.

If you reckon its not dangerous then they will very likely choose the latter option, as long as they pay you what they say and complete the paperwork then its all fine

As said the article is bull

[goldspanners]

stick it on ebay,ive never seen a car even without an MOT or tax go for less than £30.
if your not to bothered how much you get for it.
usually you will get around £50 - £100 for a car with no or little tax or MOT on ebay.

give it a try.

[scbk]

I phoned up one of the local scrappies before and they said that's it's £30 per car taken in no ifs or buts.
But I was in last week weighing in some metal and asked the old guy and he said it's £90/tonne for cars brought in. I don't think they dismantle anything, usually just gets crushed straight away.

The price should be higher further south

You won't really get paid much if they have to come and collect the car. You could try sticking it in your local freeads for say £150ono and see what interest there is

[Paul Baldwin]

A friend of mine has just scrapped 2 cars, he was paid £65 each and they were collected! He just rang a local scrap dealer and arranged removal.
How bad is the damage? You can very probably do a temprary/permanent repair with a roll of gaffer tape if you're not bothered about aesthetics. If the bumper is secure it will very probably pass the mot aslong as there are no sharp edges.
If its a turbo diesel the engine alone is worth £100 if its a good runner. They are fitted in 405's, 306's, 205's etc, some Rovers and even canal barges!
I did 5000 miles in the car pictured below, it went straight through the MOT the day after some numpty hit me! So a cracked bumper isn't the end of the world lol.

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/3083/cimg1295largedq6.jpg

[ABN]

http://www.southerncardisposals.net/?gclid=COjEnM6LqJICFQ5EMAodXQRAHA

£70 min anywhere in the country. I have used them with no problem. They stamp the log book so you won't get any parking tickets etc

[flutterbyuk25]

If you do decide to get rid of the vehicle there are other options than a scrapyard.

You could see if your local Fire Service would take it for practising with the jaws of life?

Or local college that does mechanics course for them to practise on?

Or see if your local council can dispose of it for you.

As long as you fill out and return the appropriate section of the V5C Registration Certificate and return in to DVLA and receive an acknowledgement letter back then your liability for the vehicle ends.

HTH

x

[jonathon]

stick it on ebay

[Thunderbird]

Hi

If you are not bothered about fixing it by getting the parts from a scrap yard,
You can offer it on your locaol www.freecycle.org (http://www.freecycle.org) and somebody will be happy to give a new lease of life.

If you want some cash for it, as others have suggested, you can't go wrong with ebay!