I bought the car and the V5C never came. Can I scrap it?

If the DVLA has you as keeper, yes, with ID and proof of address. If not, you will need the seller to transfer it or apply for a V62.

Can I scrap a car that is not in my name?

No. The registered keeper has to sell it, or transfer it to you first.

Guide · 3 minute read · updated October 2026

Can you scrap a car without a V5C? Yes. Here's exactly how.

Q: I've lost the logbook and the car is in my name. Can I scrap it?

Yes. Sell as normal with photo ID and proof of address. No need to order a replacement first (that is £25 and up to six weeks).

Q: The car belonged to a relative who has died. Can I scrap it?

Yes. You can scrap it as the executor or next of kin with the death certificate and your own ID.

Q: Can I scrap a car that is SORN?

Yes. SORN cars can be scrapped; we collect from where it is parked.

Q: Can I scrap a car with finance on it without the V5C?

The finance needs settling first or from the sale. Tell us and we will handle the finance company directly.

Short answer: you do not need the logbook to scrap your car with us. You need to be the registered keeper, bring photo ID and proof of address, and the DVLA has to be told the car has gone. We do that last part for you and your Certificate of Destruction proves it.

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People lose logbooks all the time: house moves, cars bought years ago, a V5C that never arrived. It does not stop the sale and it does not lower the price. What matters is proving who you are and making sure the DVLA stops holding you responsible for the car.

Need more on the logbook itself? Lost V5C, address changes, private plates and free V5C checks by reg. See our full V5C logbook guide →

What you need instead of the V5C

Photo ID

Driving licence or passport. The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 requires it for every scrap sale, logbook or not.

Proof of address

A utility bill or bank statement from the last three months, matching the address the DVLA has for the car.

The 11-digit reference

If you have any old V5C paperwork or a reminder letter. Useful, not essential.

The keys

If you have them. A missing key does not stop a scrap sale.

Who tells the DVLA?

We do. As a licensed Authorised Treatment Facility we notify the DVLA electronically when your car is scrapped and issue a Certificate of Destruction. That is the document that ends your liability for the car, whether or not you ever had a logbook.

Belt and braces: you can also write to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BD with the reg, make, model, date of sale and our name and address. Keep a copy.

Watch out: a buyer who says “no paperwork, no problem, cash in hand” can leave you registered as keeper of a car you no longer have. Fines and parking tickets follow. Insist on a Certificate of Destruction.

Your situation, in one line each

Lost the logbook, car is in my name

Sell as normal with ID and proof of address. No need to order a replacement first (that is £25 and up to six weeks).

Bought the car and the V5C never came

If the DVLA has you as keeper, same as above. If not, you will need the seller to transfer it or apply for a V62.

Car belonged to a relative who has died

You can scrap it as the executor or next of kin with the death certificate and your own ID. We will talk you through it.

Car is SORN

Fine. SORN cars can be scrapped; we collect from where it is parked.

There is finance on it

Needs settling first or from the sale. Tell us and we will handle the finance company directly.

It is not in my name at all

We cannot buy it from you. The registered keeper has to sell, or transfer it to you first.

No logbook, no problem. Price in 30 seconds.

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