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What Happens to Your Scrap Car After You Sell It to a Scrapyard

What Happens to Your Scrap Car After You Sell It to a Scrapyard?

Published on Jul 14, 2025 | Last updated Jul 14, 2025

Introduction

When your vehicle has reached the end of its road life, it can feel like its story has come to an end. However, once you sell it to a scrapyard, it will be processed responsibly and thoroughly. In Ontario, licensed scrap car removal providers and auto recyclers follow strict environmental and safety regulations to ensure that every old vehicle ends up in the right hands to be responsibly dismantled, dangerous materials are carefully removed, and reusable parts or materials are repurposed.

In this blog, we will provide you with a clear breakdown of what happens behind the scenes as your vehicle is leaving your driveway, headed to the scrapyard.

Initial Vehicle Inspection and Documentation

When your car arrives at an authorized scrap yard in Ontario, an inspection process takes place. This is not just a matter of looking for damage, but also involves checking the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), verifying ownership documents, and cataloging any parts that are of value or are considered hazardous waste. The scrap yards are checking that the car is not stolen, the owner is not abandoning it without consent, and that the car is not being scrapped as part of some legal action.

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation requires owners to remove applicable license plates before licensing a vehicle for scrap yard disposal. Most scrap yards will assist with this if you haven’t done so already. These documents allow the province to keep track of its vehicle records, while also allowing scrap yards to track the flow of end-of-life vehicles so they can prevent illegal resale and disposal.

Dismantling and Salvaging Usable Auto Parts

Not all of the parts in your old car will end up as scrap metal. Numerous components in the car still have some worth, either for resale or reuse. Scrapyard workers will dismantle the car and identify parts that are still in good working condition, such as starters, alternators, catalytic converters, radiators, tires, and electronic systems. In Ontario, there is a high demand for low-cost, quality used car parts, and auto recyclers are an important part of that market.

These salvaged parts are tested to make sure that they still work and are resold to auto repair shops, garages, or individuals looking to save some money on replacement and repairs. This process extends the lifespan of car parts, eliminates the need for new parts to be manufactured, and helps vehicle owners get sustainable repairs when needed.

Crushing And Shredding The Car Body

After the removal of all strategic and hazardous components, what remains is largely the metal body and frame of the car, which is crushed down considerably smaller in size to allow for easier transport and processing. Ontario salvage yards use hydraulic car crushers or balers to compact the car down to a manageable block size.

Then the crushed car will be taken and shredded into smaller pieces at a dedicated metal shredding facility. These metal pieces are separated into material streams like steel, aluminum, and copper. The separated materials will then be sent to manufacturers who cover the process of recycling by melting and repurposing them for new manufacturing.

Non-Metal Material Recycling

Modern vehicles consist of more than just metal. A scrapyard in Ontario will also recycle non-metal materials. Following the shredding process, material like plastic, glass, and rubber is individually sorted, either using machines using advanced equipment or through traditional hand sorting. The glass that is crushed from window glass and windshields can be recycled into new glass material. 

The plastic from bumpers, dashboards, and interior trim will be sorted by type and recycled or disposed of in a safe manner. Rubber from the tires, which are processed from their original fabrication, is sent to facilities that recycle tire materials into ground rubber or reusable components. When rubber materials are repurposed into something like new playground surfaces, sports field surfaces, landscaping mulch, or even roadway materials, it minimizes the amount of tire waste sent to landfills as well as supports Ontario’s sustainability initiatives.

Also Read: How Non-Metallic Car Parts Are Recycled and Repurposed for a Greener Future

Environmental Compliance and Record Keeping

Ontario scrap yards are closely regulated by provincial and municipal authorities and must abide by the Environmental Protection Act and related waste management requirements. The scrapping process is documented at every stage, from the removal of fluids to the recycling of the materials. Scrap yards maintain records of the vehicle’s arrival, parts removed, and any subsequent resale or recycling, details of any sale of parts, etc.

When the scrapyard is inspected or audited, the documentation that scrap yards are legally required to keep will show that the scrapyard complied with legislation. These regulations exist to protect the environment and the consumer by ensuring end-of-life vehicles are disposed of safely. Knowing that you took your car to a licensed scrapyard gives you peace of mind that it was handled legally and responsibly.

What Happens to Your Title and License Plate?

In Ontario, you are required to remove the license plates from your vehicle when it is being scrapped. You can either transfer the license plates to another vehicle that you own or return them to a ServiceOntario location to have them cancelled. The vehicle title is most often required in the original signed version and must accompany the vehicle to the scrap yard.

The scrapyard usually will mark the document with the notation ‘scrapped’ or ‘sold for parts only‘ and report this information to the Ministry of Transportation in Ontario to ensure the car is removed from provincial records. This step is crucial to prevent anyone from fraudulently registering or reselling your old vehicle.

Conclusion

When it’s time to say goodbye to your old vehicle, choosing a service that is professional, responsible, and customer-friendly is important. Greenway Auto Recycling offers dependable and environmentally responsible automotive scrap car removal services throughout Ontario. We help you remove your license plates, fill out the correct paperwork with you, and make sure the car gets recycled according to provincial standards.

Our team will take care of everything. We offer a fair, upfront quote, fast pickup scheduling, and full assistance with the paperwork. Call us today to set up your scrap car removal service and do your part for Ontario’s environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I prepare my car for scrapping in Ontario?

Before scrapping your car, remove all personal belongings, take off the license plates, and gather ownership documents. It’s also a good idea to drain or report any fluids if possible and remove aftermarket accessories you wish to keep. Most reputable scrapyards will assist with the rest of the process.

2. Can I sell a car without a title in Ontario?

In Ontario, you typically need the original vehicle ownership (title) to scrap a car legally. The scrapyard will mark it as “scrapped” or “sold for parts only” and submit it to the Ministry of Transportation. Without a title, it’s difficult to prove ownership, and most authorized scrap yards will not accept the vehicle.

3. Do scrapyards pay cash for cars in Ontario?

Yes, most licensed scrapyards and auto recyclers in Ontario offer cash on the spot or same-day payment for scrap vehicles. The amount depends on the car’s condition, weight, and any salvageable parts. Always compare multiple quotes and ensure you’re dealing with a certified recycler.

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