Can I Scrap My Car Without an Engine in Ontario?

Introduction

If you have an old or damaged car in your driveway, you may ask yourself whether you can still scrap a vehicle that doesn’t have an engine. This is a common question, especially when the car’s engine was removed for repairs, or sold separately, or taken out for parts. Many assume the vehicle is no longer valuable or can be scrapped without an engine.

However, in Ontario and many other regions, scrapyards can still accept cars without engines. However, the process, requirements, and payout may differ. Understanding how removing the engine changes the scrapping process will help you decide the most innovative way to proceed to avoid surprises at the point of sale.

Is It Ok to Scrap a Car Without an Engine?

Yes, it is legal to scrap a car without an engine in Ontario, but there are some conditions you must follow. The biggest condition is that you must provide proof of ownership. Even if the engine is no longer in the car, you must present the vehicle’s ownership (the green ownership slip in Ontario) when selling to a licensed scrapyard or auto recycler. This requirement is in place because the scrapyard has to prove to the Ministry of Transportation that the car is not reported as stolen, and you have the legal right to scrap the car in question.

The missing engine does not alter whether the car is still registered in your name until it is registered to someone else, or duly cancelled. If you have removed or sold the engine before scrapping the vehicle, you should notify the scrapyard before you schedule a pick-up. This allows the scrapyard to evaluate the car to understand its remaining value without the engine and avoid delays in pick-up or inspection.

How does the Absence of an Engine Affect the Scrap Value?

A car’s engine is the most valuable part when recycled for scrap. Not only is it made of heavy metal components, but it is also often made from aluminum and other metals that have resale value. A car is just not as heavy without the engine, while scrapyards usually pay by weight for the scrap value of a vehicle.

Here’s how the missing engine typically impacts your payout:

• • Lower weight equals lower payment – A car without an engine can weigh 200 to 400 kg less, directly reducing the price offered.
  • No resale or repair value for the engine – Scrapyards sometimes refurbish and resell engines. Without it, they lose this potential revenue.
  • Focus shifts to other valuable parts – If your car still has its transmission, catalytic converter, wheels, and battery, you can still get a reasonable price, but it will likely be less than a complete car.
    

Also Read: Can You Scrap A Car Without A Catalytic Converter?

Why Scrapyards Still Accept Cars Without Engines?

While the engine is valuable, a car without one still contains many recyclable and reusable materials. Licensed auto recyclers can profit from the vehicle in other ways, such as:

• • Recycling metal – The body, frame, and remaining components still contain steel, aluminum, and copper that can be sold as scrap metal.
  • Parting out usable components – Doors, seats, windows, tires, and electronics can still be sold to buyers looking for replacement parts.
  • Catalytic converter value – If intact, this part contains precious metals like platinum, palladium, and rhodium.
  • Battery recycling – Car batteries are valuable and recyclable, so scrapyards look for them even if the engine is missing.

What You Should Do Before Scrapping a Car Without an Engine?

If you plan to scrap a car without its engine, there are a few steps to follow to make the process smooth and to get the best possible payout:

1. 1. Collect your vehicle’s ownership documents – You need the “green ownership slip” in Ontario for selling.
   2. Clear out your items – Don’t forget to check the glove box, underneath the seats, and the trunk.
   3. Check if any valuable parts are left – If you still have the catalytic converter, wheels, or transmission, expect a better payout.
   4. Be honest with the scrapyard – If you don’t have an engine in your vehicle, tell them the car has no engine to get an exact quote.
   5. Don’t forget about plate return and deregistration – Take the license plates off and surrender them to ServiceOntario to avoid any fees or charges in the future.
   6. Get quotes from other scrapyards – Even though you don’t have an engine, different scrapyards can charge you significantly more money, so get a few quotes.

Can You Sell the Engine Separately Before Scrapping?

Yes, you can separate the engine from the car before disposing of the car. It’s standard to scrap a vehicle without an engine, which can sometimes mean folks are scrapping vehicles with functioning or repairable engines. If you sell it, you will profit more directly from a mechanic, an auto parts store, or a different private buyer.

However, if you choose this route, keep in mind:

• • You will likely get less from the scrapyard – The overall scrap value will be reduced since the car is incomplete.
  • Selling the engine can take time – Finding a buyer may delay the scrapping process.
  • Scrapyard towing services may still be available. Many auto recyclers in Ontario offer free towing even if the engine is missing, but confirm this beforehand.

What Happens to a Car Without an Engine at the Scrapyard?

Once your car arrives at a licensed scrapyard, the recycling process follows specific steps:

1. 1. Vehicle inspection – The scrapyard checks the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and confirms it matches your documents.
   2. Parts removal – Usable parts such as seats, windows, wheels, and electronics are removed for resale.
   3. Fluid drainage – Any remaining fuel, oil, coolant, or brake fluid is drained safely.
   4. Metal separation – The car body is crushed or shredded, and metals are sorted for recycling.
   5. Environmental compliance – Licensed facilities follow Ontario regulations for properly disposing of hazardous materials.
      

Final Thoughts

In Ontario, yes — absolutely. As long as you meet the legal ownership requirements and use a licensed auto recycler, scrapping a car without an engine is entirely possible. The payout will be lower than scrapping a complete vehicle, but auto recyclers still value the metal and other contents of the car. And if you sell the engine separately, notify the auto recycler in advance, and compare offers from recyclers and salvage yards, you may still get decent amounts. 

Suppose you need to get rid of a car parked without an engine. In that case, Greenway Auto Recycling will pay to have your vehicle towed for free, provide a fair payout, and help you turn in your license plates to Service Ontario anywhere in Ontario. They make it a simple process and make a point to ensure that it’s quick, legal, and eco-friendly, so you don’t have to worry about the hassle of clearing that car from your driveway and getting paid for it.