Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ELV?
ELV stands for End of Life Vehicle (or more commonly referred to as a scrap car, junk car, breaker or salvage vehicle).
The end of life vehicle regulations apply to end of life vehicles which are in class M1 or N1 and three wheeled vehicles as defined in Directive 92/61/EEC; this means passenger vehicles with 9 seats or less with a revenue weight under 3,500kg, vans with a revenue weight under 3,500kg and 3 wheeled vehicles. Motorbikes (including motorbike based tricycles) and passenger vehicles with a revenue weight over 3,500 kg or those that have more than 9 seats are not covered by the regulations and do not require a CoD.
How many ELVs arise each year in the UK?
Approximately 2 million vehicles are scrapped in the UK each year.
What is an Authorised Treatment Facility?
Authorised Treatment Facilities (or ATFs) are sites which have been licensed by the Environment Agency in England & Wales, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in Scotland or the Northern Ireland Environment Agency in Northern Ireland, to de-pollute end of life vehicles to standards set by DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs). Only these sites are permitted to issue last owners with a DVLA Certificate of Destruction. (ATFs are more commonly referred to as Dismantlers, Scrap Yards, Salvage Yards or Breakers Yards).
What is a Cartakeback PointTM?
In the more remote areas of the UK where Authorised Treatment Facilities do not exist within 30 miles of a last owner, Cartakeback has established collection points to which vehicles can be delivered for onward transportation to an Authorised Treatment facility for de-pollution. These are known as Cartakeback PointsTM.
What is a Certificate of Destruction?
A Certificate of Destruction (CoD) is issued by the ATF using the bespoke Cartakeback Financial and Data System (FADS) via an electronic link to the DVLA Online de-registration system to prove that a vehicle has been scrapped in a lawful and environmentally sound manner. Without proper de-registration you could be fined under new laws on continuous registration.
If you do not receive a Certificate of Destruction within 10 days of disposing of your vehicle you should contact us using our online form.
Approximately 2 million vehicles are scrapped in the UK each year.
What is an Authorised Treatment Facility?
Authorised Treatment Facilities (or ATFs) are sites which have been licensed by the Environment Agency in England & Wales, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in Scotland or the Northern Ireland Environment Agency in Northern Ireland, to de-pollute end of life vehicles to standards set by DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs). Only these sites are permitted to issue last owners with a DVLA Certificate of Destruction. (ATFs are more commonly referred to as Dismantlers, Scrap Yards, Salvage Yards or Breakers Yards).
What is a Cartakeback PointTM?
In the more remote areas of the UK where Authorised Treatment Facilities do not exist within 30 miles of a last owner, Cartakeback has established collection points to which vehicles can be delivered for onward transportation to an Authorised Treatment facility for de-pollution. These are known as Cartakeback PointsTM.
What is a Certificate of Destruction?
A Certificate of Destruction (CoD) is issued by the ATF using the bespoke Cartakeback Financial and Data System (FADS) via an electronic link to the DVLA Online de-registration system to prove that a vehicle has been scrapped in a lawful and environmentally sound manner. Without proper de-registration you could be fined under new laws on continuous registration.
If you do not receive a Certificate of Destruction within 10 days of disposing of your vehicle you should contact us using our online form.
Please note that it is not always possible for an ATF to issue a Certificate of Destruction and you may be issued with a Notification of Destruction instead. If you receive a Notification of Destruction you will need to write to DVLA, Swansea SA99 1BD to notify them that you have disposed of your vehicle. To download a copy of the DVLA’s leaflet on the Certificate of Destruction see the further information section below.
How does the law affect vehicle manufacturers?
Under the ELV regulations 2005, vehicle manufacturers have been responsible for providing last owners of end of life vehicles with an accessible network of ATFs, which guarantee to take-back qualifying vehicles free of charge, since the 1st January 2007. Cartakeback is contracted to manufacturers representing 51 brands which is around 75% of the end of life vehicle parc.
Which brands of vehicle are exclusively contracted to Cartakeback?
How does the law affect vehicle manufacturers?
Under the ELV regulations 2005, vehicle manufacturers have been responsible for providing last owners of end of life vehicles with an accessible network of ATFs, which guarantee to take-back qualifying vehicles free of charge, since the 1st January 2007. Cartakeback is contracted to manufacturers representing 51 brands which is around 75% of the end of life vehicle parc.
Which brands of vehicle are exclusively contracted to Cartakeback?
Cartakeback is the exclusively approved authorised treatment facility network for the following brands of vehicle:
Don’t worry if your make of vehicle is not in this list, Cartakeback ATFs treat all makes of vehicle to the same high standards.
What is a qualifying vehicle?
In accordance with the End of Life Vehicle regulations, vehicles which are complete and do not contain any additional waste will qualify for free take-back when delivered to a vehicle manufacturer approved Authorised Treatment Facility. Cartakeback ATFs and Cartakeback-Points guarantee free take-back for all qualifying vehicles of the brands listed above which are delivered to their sites. This service may also be extended to other brands of vehicle.
What is a complete vehicle?
A complete vehicle is a category M1 or N1 vehicle (car or light van) which contains its essential components, in particular, but not limited to, the engine, coachwork, transmission, catalytic converter (if originally fitted) and wheels. A vehicle does not have to be driveable nor does the engine have to run in order for it to be complete.
What is a qualifying vehicle?
In accordance with the End of Life Vehicle regulations, vehicles which are complete and do not contain any additional waste will qualify for free take-back when delivered to a vehicle manufacturer approved Authorised Treatment Facility. Cartakeback ATFs and Cartakeback-Points guarantee free take-back for all qualifying vehicles of the brands listed above which are delivered to their sites. This service may also be extended to other brands of vehicle.
What is a complete vehicle?
A complete vehicle is a category M1 or N1 vehicle (car or light van) which contains its essential components, in particular, but not limited to, the engine, coachwork, transmission, catalytic converter (if originally fitted) and wheels. A vehicle does not have to be driveable nor does the engine have to run in order for it to be complete.
If you would like your vehicle to be collected by us, the price which we quote will be based on the vehicle being complete. If your vehicle does not meet this condition it may be more difficult to collect which could affect the price quoted, however we will always discuss this with you prior to your vehicle being collected. For more information please read the ‘What happens next?’ page.
What is a Recycling Compliance Seal?
A Recycling Compliance Seal is a symbol which may only be displayed by Authorised Treatment Facilities which have met their recycling obligations under the end of life vehicle regulations. Clicking on the seal will present you with a Recycling Compliance Certificate. Compliance periods coincide with the calendar year; it is therefore usual for the latest seal displayed by an ATF to relate to last year. For further information click here.
A Recycling Compliance Certificate proves that an Authorised Treatment Facility has met its recycling obligations under the end of life vehicle regulations and shows the company details, the date of issue and the compliance period that the seal relates to. Certificates are issued for each compliance period which coincide with the calendar year; it is therefore usual for the latest certificate to relate to last year. For further information click here.
Your vehicle does not need to have a valid MOT Test Certificate in order for it to be accepted at a Cartakeback ATF, nor does this affect your qualification for free take-back. However, we strongly advise that you do not drive a vehicle on the public highway without a valid MOT Test Certificate; instead you should arrange for your vehicle to be collected. To obtain an instant quotation for your vehicle to be collected click here.
Although your vehicle does not need to have a valid insurance policy in order for it to be accepted at a Cartakeback ATF, nor does this affect your qualification for free take-back, we strongly advise that you do not drive a vehicle on the public highway without valid insurance; instead you should arrange for your vehicle to be collected. To obtain an instant quotation for your vehicle to be collected click here.
Whether you deliver your vehicle to a Cartakeback ATF or we collect it from you, we guarantee to treat it to the highest standards as demanded by our vehicle manufacturer partners and in compliance with all applicable laws on end of life vehicle treatment as regulated by several governmental agencies.
Cartakeback uses the best information technology systems to enable us to respond to your needs quickly and effectively which includes the issuing of a DVLA Certificate of Destruction freeing you from any legal responsibility for the vehicle.
When disposing of your old vehicle, we urge you to consider the following:
-
Is the operator licensed to take back and treat my vehicle?
-
Has the operator gained approval from any vehicle manufacturers?
-
Will my vehicle be de-registered correctly and will I receive a DVLA Certificate of Destruction or could I be at risk of being fined under new laws on continuous registration as well as being liable for any actions taken in the vehicle whilst I am still the legal registered keeper?
-
Will my vehicle be treated correctly and the waste oils, tyres and batteries disposed of legally and without any harm to the environment?
-
Will my vehicle be recycled in accordance with the EU targets of 85% by weight?
-
Could my vehicle end up back on the road without my consent?
75% of vehicle manufacturers trust Cartakeback.com to be their exclusive service provider for the take back and treatment of end of life vehicles of their brands. We urge you to consider this when you are ready to dispose of your end of life vehicle.
If you would like us to collect your vehicle then we need to know if the tyres are inflated so that it can be easily loaded onto a standard recovery vehicle. If the tyres are not inflated please let us know in advance as this may affect the type of recovery equipment that we use.
If you would like your vehicle to be collected by us the price which we quote will be based on the tyres being fully inflated. If your vehicle does not meet this condition it may be more difficult to collect which could affect the price quoted, however we will always discuss this with you prior to your vehicle being collected. For more information please read the ‘What happens next?’ page.
Does my vehicle need to be in an accessible location for it to be collected?
Does my vehicle need to be in an accessible location for it to be collected?
If you would like us to collect your vehicle then we need to know if it can be safely accessed by a standard recovery vehicle. The ground must be solid enough to reasonably allow access by the recovery vehicle and close enough to allow the vehicle to either be driven or moved using a winch or overhead crane directly onto the recovery vehicle without obstruction. If the vehicle is not easily accessible please let us know in advance as this may affect the type of recovery equipment that we use.
If you would like your vehicle to be collected by us the price which we quote will be based on your vehicle being in an accessible location. If your vehicle does not meet this condition it may be more difficult to collect which could affect the price quoted, however we will always discuss this with you prior to your vehicle being collected. For more information please read the ‘What happens next?’ page.
Being free from additional waste means that a vehicle does not contain any significant items of refuse such as garden/ household waste or old tyres etc.; basically anything that does not form part of the vehicle itself.
If you would like your vehicle to be collected by us the price which we quote will be based on your vehicle being free from waste. If your vehicle does not meet this condition it may be more difficult to collect and additional waste disposal costs may apply, which could affect the price quoted, however we will always discuss this with you prior to your vehicle being collected. For more information please read the ‘What happens next?’ page.
If you would like your vehicle to be collected by us, it helps us to know whether or not the keys are available, however this is not essential nor does it affect the price quoted for collection.
Whether we collect your vehicle from you or you deliver your vehicle to us, you should hand over your V5C registration document (otherwise known as a log book) so that a Certificate of Destruction can be issued. Don’t worry if you do not have the registration document as a Certificate of Destruction can usually be issued without it. For more information please read ‘What is a Certificate of Destruction?’.
You can find out more about what happens after you have arranged for your vehicle to be collected on the ‘What happens next?’ page.
Do you accept caravans?
Unfortunately Cartakeback does not accept caravans at this time.
Unfortunately, Cartakeback does not supply spare parts to the public however many of our member sites specialise in this area. To find the name and address of a Cartakeback ATF in your area please use our ATF Search Facility.
We generally accept category M1 & N1 vehicles (cars and vans up to 3500kg). However some of our ATFs may accept other types of vehicle.
If you would like your vehicle to be collected by us the price which we quote will be based on your vehicle being a category M1 or N1 vehicle. If your vehicle is not a category M1 or N1 vehicle we may need to adjust the price from that originally quoted, however we will always discuss this with you prior to your vehicle being collected.
Who are the founder members of Cartakeback.com?
There are 10 founder members of Cartakeback.com across the UK, all of which operate sophisticated shredding plants which transform the de-polluted end of life vehicle shells into recycled materials; the founder members include:
John R. Adam & Sons Ltd
www.jradam.co.uk/
Ampthill Metal Company Ltd
www.ampthillmetal.co.uk/
Christie & Son Metal Merchants Ltd
www.christieandson.com/
Clearway Ltd
http://www.clearway-hammond.com/
Dunn Bros (1995) Ltd
www.dunnbros.co.uk/
Easco Ltd
www.eascogroup.com/
S. Norton & Co Ltd
www.s-norton.com/
RM Supplies Ltd
www.rmsupplies.co.uk/
T.J. Thomson & Son Ltd
www.tjthomson.co.uk/
H. Williams & Sons Ltd
www.hwilliamsandsons.com/
We always appreciate hearing comments from our customers, satisfied or otherwise. If you have any comments or suggestions about our service then please feel free to contact us using our online form.
To take a look at some of the comments we have received recently, click here. We will only ever publish your comments if you have given us your express permission.
To download a copy of the 2003 ELV Regulations please follow this link:To download a copy of the 2005 ELV (Producer responsibility) Regulations please follow this link:For more information from the Environment Agency, please visit the NetRegs website:To download a copy of the DVLA's leaflet on the Certificate of Destruction please follow this link:If you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to contact us using our online form.We try our best to keep all of the links on the Cartakeback website up to date, however if you find any broken links please let us know by sending an e-mail to webmaster@cartakeback.com.