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Scrap My Car

Why Do I Have To Provide Personal Details When I Scrap My Car?

Published on May 26, 2025 | Last updated May 27, 2025

Introduction

When you decide to scrap your car in Canada, you are required to give personal information. It is not merely a formality, but it’s mandatory under the different provincial legislations. The legislations are meant to eliminate old, dirty cars from the highway. By giving your personal information, you ensure the scraping process is legal, secure, and well-documented. It also prevents fraud and abuse of automobile parts. 

Vehicle scrappage is controlled by provincial and federal governments in Canada. The federal government, through Environment Canada, has also devised a National Vehicle Scrappage Program that is intended to encourage the scrappage of older, environmentally polluting vehicles off the roads. The program cooperates with provincial legislation to ensure vehicles are scrapped and recycled to environmental standards.  Provincial and federal laws and regulations for scrapping vehicles vary by province. For instance, in Ontario, some documentation is required to legally scrap a vehicle by the Ministry of Transportation.

Why Personal Details Are Required?

When you’re choosing to scrap your vehicle, the car scrapyards will request your personal information. This isn’t coincidental. It’s a significant regulation that makes the procedure clean, safe, and lawful for all concerned. Here’s why they’re requesting your information: 

1. To verify ownership

The scrappage company must ensure you are the actual owner of the vehicle. Anyone could scrap a car without evidence if anyone were allowed to do it, which would lead to issues such as illegal scrapping or theft reports. By verifying your name, ID, and vehicle documents, the scrapping centre ensures no one scrapes a theft car by mistake. 

2. To Prevent Vehicle-Related Crimes: 

Cars are occasionally used for illegal operations such as smuggling, theft, or hit-and-run accidents. In the event that a car is scrapped without a record being kept of who surrendered it, there would be no possible way to follow it back if necessary. Your personal information assists authorities in monitoring records and remaining vigilant about any abuse. 

3. To Follow Government Rules In Canada

The government has imposed strict rules for scrapping old cars. By law, vehicle owners are required to submit their personal details while scrapping a vehicle. This information is required for documentation, issuing a scrapping certificate, and record updation at the RTO (Regional Transport Office). 

4. To Issue a Scrapping Certificate 

When you scrap a car, the scrapping centre issues a certificate of destruction. This certificate is significant as it confirms that your car has been dismantled and is not being used. It also assists in deregistering the car from RTO records. Your personal information is imprinted on this certificate, so it remains linked to you.

5. To Keep You Out of Future Legal Trouble

Suppose somebody discovered your old vehicle, utilized it for a criminal purpose, or discarded it in the middle of the road. If the vehicle remains in your name at the RTO, you can be held responsible. When you provide your details during scrapping, you legally sever all connections with the vehicle. That shields you from being implicated in anything that occurs to that car down the line. 

6. For Refunds or Benefits

At other times, the government or vehicle scrapping facilities provide incentives such as rebates on new vehicle buying, tax credits, or refunds on outstanding road tax. To receive these, you must include your personal data and banking details so the money or benefits can be directly credited to you.

Also Read: Can You Scrap a Car Without a Title in Ontario?

Documents Required For Car Scrapping

When you decide to scrap your car, you’ll need to provide certain documents to the authorized scrapping facility:

    • Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC): Proof of ownership
    • Owner’s Identification Proof: Such as Aadhaar card, PAN card, or passport. 
    • Address Proof: Utility bills, voter ID, or any government-issued document confirming your address.
    • No Objection Certificate (NOC): If the vehicle was under a loan, a NOC from the financing institution is required.
    • Insurance Documents: Current insurance policy details.
    • Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate: Valid PUC certificate

Steps in The Car Scrapping Process

Scrapping a car might sound like a complicated job, but the process is quite simple if you follow the right steps. Whether your car is too old, damaged, or not worth repairing, you can scrap it through an authorised vehicle scrapping facility (AVSF) or a licensed scrap yard. Let’s break down the process in easy steps:

  • Find an Authorised Scraping Centre

The first step is to find a government-approved car scrapping facility near you. Avoid random local scrap dealers because they may not follow legal procedures. You can check the official list of authorised centres on your state transport department’s website or ask your local RTO for details.

  • Collect All Required Documents

Before visiting the scrap yard, gather all the necessary documents like your vehicle’s RC, your ID proof, address proof, and NOC from the bank if the car was under a loan. Having these papers ready will save you time and avoid delays at the scrapping centre.

  • Get a Vehicle Inspection Done

Once you reach the scrapping facility, their team will inspect your car. They’ll check the car’s condition, match the chassis number with the RC, and verify your documents. This step confirms that the car belongs to you and is fit for scrapping.

  • Fill Out the Scraping Application

You’ll need to fill out a scraping request form. This usually includes your details, car details, and a declaration that you wish to scrap your vehicle. The scrapping centre might also ask you to fill out Form 29 and Form 30 (or Form 35 if your car was on loan) for deregistering the vehicle.

  • Hand Over the Car

After completing the paperwork, you will hand over your car to the scrapping centre. They’ll take custody of the vehicle, and from this point onwards, you’re no longer responsible for it. Some centres might offer a free pickup service for your car, especially if it’s not in running condition.

  • Car Dismantling and Recycling

Once the scrapping centre takes your car, they’ll start dismantling it. First, they remove hazardous parts like fuel, oil, and batteries safely. Then, they take out reusable parts like tyres, seats, and glass. The remaining body and metal parts are crushed and sent for recycling. This step is done using eco-friendly and government-approved methods.

  • Receive the Car Scrapping Certificate

After the car is fully scrapped, the facility will issue a Vehicle Scrapping Certificate in your name. This certificate is very important as it proves that your vehicle has been legally scrapped. You’ll need this certificate to cancel the car’s registration at the RTO and, if eligible, to claim benefits like scrap value payments or road tax refunds.

  • Deregister Your Vehicle at the RTO

Using the scrapping certificate, you need to visit the RTO where your car was registered. Submit the certificate along with Form 29 and Form 30 to officially deregister your vehicle. The RTO will then remove the car from its database and issue a confirmation of deregistration.

Also Read: Role of Scrap Car Removal in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Benefits of Providing Personal Details

Providing your personal information at car scrapping legalizes, secures, and simplifies the procedure with regard to security while saving you from any trouble in the future.

1. Verifies You as the Actual Owner

When you provide your personal information, you assist the scrapping center in verifying that you own the vehicle. It prevents other people from attempting to scrap a borrowed or stolen vehicle. It guards your property rights and prevents illegal operations.

2. Assists in Issuing a Scrapping Certificate

The scrapping centre requires your information to issue a legitimate scrapping certificate in your name. This certificate is legal proof that your vehicle has been scrapped. Without your details, the centre will not be able to associate the certificate with you, which might lead to issues later.

3. Prevents Legal Issues

If your previous vehicle is still registered in your name and you use it for illegal purposes later on, you may land in trouble. By giving your details and filling up the scrapping records, you disconnect yourself from the vehicle entirely and save yourself from any other trouble later.

4. Makes Deregistration Simple at the RTO 

Your information assists the RTO in reconciling their vehicle database with your identity. When you apply for deregistration by using your certificate of scrapping, the RTO uses your details to confirm and formally deregister the vehicle from their database.

5. Beneficial for Road Tax Refunds or Entitlements

In a few instances, if the road tax of your car was prepaid, you will receive a partial refund following scrappage. Additionally, the government’s scrappage schemes occasionally provide incentives or discounts to purchase new vehicles. These will have to be claimed after providing your details.

6. Maintains a Clean Public Record

When you junk a car and the scrap center enters your details, it refreshes the system. This keeps any old, unrecovered vehicle linked to your name in government records free, making your public record free of hassle. 

Conclusion 

Disposing of an old vehicle through scrapping is a formal legal process requiring documentation and identification to ensure safety, transparency, and a smooth experience. Providing personal information confirms ownership, enables the issuance of an official scrapping certificate, protects against future legal complications, and facilitates the cancellation of vehicle registration. Greenway Auto Recycling in the GTA offers a legally sound and customer-oriented scrapping service, prioritizing safety and proper dismantling. Our team helps with document verification, paperwork, and obtaining the official scrapping certificate without hassle.

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