When it is time to scrap a car, most people assume it is just a matter of handing it over to the salvage yard for cash. In fact, there are a few things you need to consider to make the process simple and to assist you with avoiding any legal or financial troubles down the road. Whether your vehicle is at the end of its lifespan, has suffered bad accident damage, or is just too expensive to fix, scrapping is a step that must be figured out.
Knowing what to look for beforehand and during the process will help you protect your interests and receive the highest value. Read on to learn the most important things you should not forget when it’s time to say goodbye to your old ride.
1. Remove All Personal Belongings
In many cases, vehicles become different forms of storage. Most of the time, the items stored in a car aren’t even vehicle-related. Whether it’s your sunglasses, documents, small gadgets, or spare keys, these things often get left behind during the vehicle transition out of your hands. Once it reaches the scrapyard, often not long after, it will be dismembered or end up as scrap metal, and its content gets lost.
Take a moment to check under the seats, glove box, the side pockets, the trunk, and any other organization options your vehicle offers. Take any toll passes, garage remotes, and size receipts during your search. Completing a thorough sweep offers peace of mind that you didn’t lose your property while scrambling to scrap a vehicle.
2. Return or Cancel Your Licence Plates
In Ontario, license plates are registered to the vehicle’s owner, rather than the car itself, meaning you must remove them before the vehicle is removed. After removing the plates, you can return them to ServiceOntario or transfer them to another car you own.
If you do not take off the plates, they could be accessed and used, and you may still be liable for any penalties incurred with your plates attached. This is an easy but essential process that many vehicle owners forget to take.
3. Notify Your Insurance Provider
Insurance coverage does not end once a car is scrapped. You must still contact your insurance provider and explain that the vehicle has been permanently removed from the road. This step will ensure you do not pay premiums in vain and keep you from being liable for a car that no longer exists.
If you have paid for the coverage in advance, you may even receive a refund for the remaining months. And if you intend to get another car, some providers will allow you to transfer the coverage to the new vehicle. Regardless, letting your insurance company know is an important step.
Also Read: The Scrap Car Glossary: Key Terms You Should Know
4. Prepare the Vehicle Ownership Documents
To scrap a car, you must have proper proof of ownership. In Ontario, the green ownership permit must be brought to the scrapyard/auto recycle, including the permit’s vehicle portion. This indicates you are the vehicle’s legal owner and have the right to dispose of the car.
Scrapyards/auto recyclers cannot legally accept vehicles without green permits. If the vehicle’s missing ownership papers, you can apply for a replacement at ServiceOntario before proceeding. The scrapping process will take less time and save unnecessary delays if you have all the paperwork.
5. Research and Choose a Licensed Scrap Yard
Not every scrapyard runs responsibly. By selecting a licensed auto recycler, you know that the auto recycling process is done legally and in compliance with environmental guidelines. A licensed yard will comply with government regulations for recycling fluids, batteries, and metals to lessen their negative environmental impact.
A licensed junkyard will provide the necessary paperwork to prove the auto disposal was completed. Do some research, check reviews on the junkyard before finalizing with them, and verify that the yard has a current license. Working with a legitimate licensed junkyard makes you feel better about the disposal process and saves you from later problems.
6. Understand the Scrap Value of Your Car
Individuals who own cars discover they are taken aback by the scrap price offered. The cost will depend on the car’s weight, the condition of some of the car’s components, and the current market price of scrap metal. Cars with working parts—such as catalytic converters, engines, or alternators—can fetch a higher scrap price than vehicles that are purely metal.
If your car is in horrible shape, the only price you may be offered is based on the weight of scrap metal. To avoid surprises, research the average scrap car value in your area before calling a yard. This way, you will feel quite justified in your offer when you call to negotiate a price.
7. Drain or Remove Hazardous Fluids Safely
Every car has fluids inside, like engine oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and antifreeze. If these fluids are not drained properly, they may leak out and cause environmental damage. Licensed scrapyards must take care of this step properly; however, if you store the vehicle at your house before it’s picked up, it’s a good idea to check for any leaks.
If you aren’t trained, please avoid draining any fluids yourself; it can be a safety hazard if fluids are improperly handled. It is totally okay if the fluids stay with the car before being given to the scrapyard. You are trusting the yard to do its job correctly and dispose of the fluids properly as part of selecting a professional process for recycling your vehicle.
8. Obtain Proof of Disposal
After the car has been scrapped, you should properly obtain the receipt or certificate of destruction from the scrapyard. You will want to have the document on file, as it confirms you had the vehicle scrapped and will no longer be on the road. That protects you if there are any issues later, like a ticket or fine related to a car you thought had been scrapped.
Make sure to hang onto proof for your personal records. While the document is a wise thing to have regardless, it should provide you with additional comfort, and, again, it is often a requirement if you ever need proof that a vehicle was scrapped.
Final Thoughts
Removing a car from the road is not just an easy transaction; it includes legal, financial, and practical actions that will protect you in the long run. By thoroughly removing personal items from the car, dealing with plates and insurance matters, getting prepared documents together, and going to a licensed scrapyard, you make the process as smooth and secure as possible.
Greenway Auto Recycling will make everything simple, trustworthy, and straightforward in Ontario and is ready to scrap your vehicle. They will handle all the paperwork, pay you a fair value, and follow eco-friendly practices. Their team will also help you return your license plates, and everything will be easy for you from start to finish.
