Scrapping a car: costs and procedure to dispose of the car
If the car no longer passes the TÃœV or the repair costs are too high after damage, you have to have the car scrapped. There are different ways to dispose of your car. We show you what you have to consider if you want to dispose of your old car.
Faster than you think, it can happen that you can no longer have an accident car repaired worthwhile, or an old car no longer receives an MOT. The only option is scrapping, especially if it is a total loss.
Where can you dispose of a car?
In Germany, there are many collection points where you can scrap your car. However, it must be noted that it is a certified collection point. This must dispose of the end-of-life car in an environmentally friendly manner. There are generally two different points of contact for the disposal of a car.
By the way: If you have deregistered and scrapped your car, you will get a refund from the car insurance if you have paid in advance.
Scrap your car – find a car recycling near you
The first way to scrap a car is through a recycling company. He will take care of the professional disposal of the car. It is important that it is a certified company that guarantees environmentally friendly disposal of the end-of-life vehicle. You can also have the car picked up on site for scrapping, but not all recycling companies offer this, but this is often associated with additional costs.
To find a regional car recycling company, it is best to search online. There you will be shown the businesses in the vicinity according to your location.
Disposal of the car via brand dealers
According to the take-back obligations of the End-of-Life Vehicles Ordinance, dealers and importers must take back vehicles of their brand free of charge. That's why an authorized workshop instead of an independent workshop is the first choice here. This law applies to vehicle categories M1 and N1. Class M1 vehicles are used for passenger transport and may have a maximum of eight seats plus the driver's seat. Vehicle class N1 includes vans, as motor vehicles that transport goods. However, these must not exceed the permissible total mass of 3.5 tonnes.
If the vehicle is no longer roadworthy, it can be towed to the manufacturer for return. However, the owner must then bear these costs himself. If the old vehicle is still roadworthy, you can drive it to the dealer yourself and return it there. Throughout Germany, such a return point must be located within 50 kilometers of the owner's residence. To ensure this, certified collection points cooperate with dismantling companies. They are then obliged to accept the vehicle on behalf of the manufacturer.
The nearest recycling company can be found on the Internet at the GESA Register of Specialist Companies. The easiest way to find out the nearest return point of the respective retailer is by calling. The following requirements must be met for a return by the retailer:
- essential components such as the drive, chassis, catalytic converter or electronics must not be missing
- Vehicle registration document must be available
- No other waste, such as old jukeboxes or disused child seats in the car
What papers do you need to scrap the car?
To have a car scrapped, you need the vehicle registration document, the vehicle registration document, a recycling certificate and possibly also the driver's license.
In order to scrap the car, you need some documents. Of course, this includes the vehicle registration document, which you need to deregister at the registration office. You also have to pack the vehicle registration document, because this is necessary for the disposal of the car at the recycling company and when deregistering it at the registration office.
To do this, you must also present proof of recycling from a certified waste disposal company. The police license plates must also be handed in in the course of this. In order to identify yourself, you should always have your driver's license or identity card with you.
Can I scrap my car without a letter?
No, it must be clearly clear that as the owner you are entitled to scrap the car. Scrapping the car without papers is illegal.
What are the costs for scrapping the car?
Depending on the company in which you have your car scrapped, there are different costs. Normally, picking up the car on site and scrapping it costs 100 euros each.
You can also sell your scrap car to some recycling centers. That depends on the respective model and the condition. It pays off if you can negotiate well. In any case, before disposing of the old car, you should inform yourself at several companies and obtain different offers.
Can you scrap a car for free?
As already mentioned, the manufacturer must take back the old vehicle free of charge. However, there are also some waste disposal companies that will pick up your car and transport it to a scrap yard free of charge.
Can you have a car scrapped and get money?
Experienced car connoisseurs sell individual parts of their car separately and get money from the sale before they have the rest of the car scrapped. Due to the high demand for steel, the cannibalized wreck can then be sold for 100 to 200 euros.
However, the cannibalization of the car and the subsequent sale of the individual parts takes time.
How does car scrapping work?
If you want to have the car scrapped free of charge through the manufacturer, you register on the website of the GESA (Joint Agency for End-of-Life Vehicles) return system. As a vehicle owner, you can use it to search for a company to return the car. A company then contacts us and takes care of the collection and scrapping of the vehicle. You will then receive a recycling certificate.
Before the car is sent to the scrap press at the waste disposal company, most of the individual parts are removed. These parts are usually sold as spare parts afterwards. The wiring is also completely removed from the body.
In addition, all liquids are drained from the car. Only when only the skeleton of the body remains does the car get into the press. Afterwards, you will also receive a recycling certificate there, with which you can deregister or deregister the car at the registration office.
Kann ich mein Auto zum Verschrotten abholen lassen?
Ja, je nach Entsorgungsbetrieb gibt es teilweise die Möglichkeit, das Auto abholen zu lassen. Kläre das vorher bitte ab.
Altes Auto erst abmelden, dann verschrotten
Natürlich ist vor dem Verschrotten das Abmelden des Autos notwendig. Wie das geht, haben wir in einem anderen Artikel für dich zusammengefasst.
Häufige Fragen zur Entsorgung des Autos
Do you want to dispose of your old vehicle? Then we have some answers to urgent questions for you here:
Why do I have to have my car disposed of?
Numerous parts in the car are recycled and reused. This is intended to reduce waste and protect the environment. Since January 2015, at least 85 percent of the vehicle's weight must be recyclable.
Some parts of the car also contain pollutants that endanger the environment. Only a professional company can carry out the disposal professionally and in an environmentally friendly way.
What do I do with my old car?
Every car in Germany must be disposed of properly. There are two ways to do this.
- You return the car to the manufacturer free of charge.
- It is scrapped by a waste disposal company.
When is a car scrap?
A car is considered scrap if it no longer gets an MOT due to defects, or if the repair costs after an accident are so high that a repair is no longer worthwhile. Engine damage can also be so expensive that it is worth scrapping.
How do I find a junkyard nearby?
The easiest way to search online is for a junkyard near where you live. There you will also find the opening hours and possibly further details about scrapping.