Can You Scrap a Non-UK Registered Car?

Driving a foreign car in the UK

Let’s start with the first port of call – how do you go about getting a foreign car on UK roads in the first place? Well, to start with it depends on how long you intend on driving it here. If you’re only here for a visit (under 6 months) and your car is registered and taxed in its home country, then you won’t need to go through any paperwork in the UK at all.

However, if you’re intending to live in the UK, or are bringing a car over for the rest of its life, then you’ll need to officially import it. 

1. Tell HMRC within 14 days of the car entering the country.
2. Pay VAT and duty if told to do so
3. Get vehicle approval to ensure the car meets both the environmental and safety requirements.
4. Register and tax the car with the DVLA, and fit new number plates accordingly.

These steps can also be achieved by paying an importer to do the paperwork for you. As with every car, you will need to arrange insurance before it can be driven in the UK. 

Scrapping An Imported Car

Absolutely! If you’ve gone through the import process and the car is now officially registered in the UK, then it’s no different to scrapping a car that was registered here in the first place. For the easiest way to get this sorted, just call one of our advisors and they’ll be able to hook you up with the very best offer in just a matter of moments!

Scrapping a Temporary Import

A temporary import refers to one of those cars previously mentioned that are driving on British roads for under six months and still taxed and registered in their own country. What happens if you need to scrap a car that falls under this category will depend entirely on the country in which it is registered and what regulations need to be adhered to.

You will also need to make sure that the country in question is informed once the vehicle has been destroyed, so you will need to ensure you are given a Certificate of Destruction once the vehicle has been scrapped and recycled accordingly. Failure to do so means that the motoring governing body of your car’s home country will not be aware, and you could face further fines as time wears on.

Keeping a Foreign Number Plate

Once again, this will depend on what country your car comes from. In some cases, you may be required to remove the number plates before it is scrapped and send them back to your country’s equivalent of the DVLA. If your foreign import is struggling to keep itself going and putting it out of its misery is the only real option available to you, then you’re in the right place with Scrap Car Comparison.

By using our service you’re guaranteed to get the very best price as scrap or salvage, no matter the condition of your car and with both buyers and collection agents serving 99% of all UK postcodes, you’re never too far away from a competitive quote. Get started today and see just how much your old car could be worth.

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