About your car

We'll decide on the best route for your old car, so that your chosen charity gets the maximum donation that we can generate. If your car has reached the end of the road it will be recycled, or in some cases repaired and re-used, at one of our branches, which are all car recycling centres. Or if there's significant life left in your old car, we'll raise a higher value through auction.

We always try to maximise your donation for our charity partners, but if you think your vehicle holds significant value you can speak to our customer services department before donating to check you're happy with our assessment of its potential value.

If your old car has reached the end of the road and is ready to be scrapped, it will be recycled by one of CarTakeBack's scrap car recycling centres holding an Authorised Treatment Facility permit.

It's vital to complete the necessary paperwork so that you don't get hit with a fine by DVLA. We'll do this by issuing you with an official DVLA Certificate of Destruction in exchange for the car's registration certificate.

To prevent any harm to the environment, your car will undergo a depollution process to remove any toxic substances. Any reusable parts will be recovered where possible, and the remaining materials will be recycled in order to hit the government's 95% recycling target.

And here's the best part - unlike other car donation schemes, we'll give 100% of the market value of your scrap car to your chosen charity.

If there's enough life left in your old used car, then we may decide an auction will be the best way to get the maximum donation for your chosen charity.

It helps us to achieve a higher donation if you hand over any documents such as the registration certificate (V5C), service history and handbook, as well as any security codes and spare keys.

We'll take care of the valeting, valuation, sales particulars, storage and viewings by prospective buyers throughout the sales process. We'll also help you to complete the relevant section of your registration certificate (V5C) so that you're in the clear with DVLA.

To cover the costs, we simply take a low fixed fee from the final hammer price. There's nothing for you to pay and the charity gets the maximum value possible. Once we've transferred the payment to your chosen charity you'll get a written confirmation.

Please get in touch to find out our current auction fee.

We'll use your registration to find out the type of car you have, together with your postcode to find its location.

We may also ask you some questions about your car's condition. If you're unable to answer any questions, we may make some assumptions - that your donated car meets our minimum requirements.

We will use all of that information and our knowledge of the current market to assess each car case-by-case.

If your car has reached the end of the road, we'll find the highest scrap price for it and it will be recycled or re-used at one of our recycling centres.

If our team thinks your car holds more value it will be assessed for auction. Obviously we won't know exactly how much it will raise till the day of the sale, but we only ever submit a vehicle that we are confident will make more for your charity at a salvage auction, minus the low fixed fee, than it would have made as scrap.

We always try to maximise your donation, but if you think your vehicle holds significant value you can speak to our customer services team before donating to check you're happy with our assessment of its potential value.

If you'd like to know how much we think your car could generate for charity through our scheme, please get in touch.

We do take into consideration any potential parts value when you donate your car and certain makes and model have particularly desirable parts, which can make the car worth more.

However, the older your car is, the less likely it is that any of its parts will have a resale value, as they become old and worn out. Unfortunately, even new parts that you’ve had to purchase recently can hold little or no value, due to the cost of removing and storing them for re-sale, and the fact they’re considered second hand.

Overall, there isn't the demand for spare parts there once was, due to the wide availability of cheap, brand new, after-market parts.

No, unfortunately we can't pay you for any fuel left in your car. The cost of safely removing fuel outweighs any value it would have held. 

For safety reasons we don’t advise that you try to recover the fuel yourself – this is best left to the experts.

No, you can donate a scrap or used car of any age.

No, you can donate a car that's damaged.

We may ask you whether your car has any damage. Take a look at what we consider to be an undamaged car, wear and tear and major damage.

After you've arranged to donate your car, you'll have the opportunity to discuss your car donation and provide further details of any damage.

Major damage means the car has been damaged due to incidents such as an accident, collision, fire, flood, act of theft or vandalism.

We may ask you whether there is any damage to your car. Take a look at what we consider to be an undamaged car and wear and tear.

We'll consider your car to be undamaged if there's no visible wear and tear or major damage.

Wear and tear means reasonable minor issues for the age of the car, which may include rust, small dents and scratches, but no major damage.

We may ask you whether there is any damage to your car. Take a look at what we consider to be an undamaged car.

No, you can donate a car that has missing parts.

We may ask you whether any parts are missing. Take a look at what we consider to be complete, minor parts and major parts.

After you've arranged to donate your car, you'll have the opportunity to discuss your car donation and provide further details of any missing parts.

Your car is complete if all minor parts and major parts are present.

Don't worry about the odd wheel trim, interior trim, body trim, badge, parcel shelf, aerial, spare wheel or aftermarket audio player, but these missing parts should not be excessive in number.

Major parts are those which may have a value when recycled, such as the engine, electronic control unit, gearbox, bodywork, seats, battery, catalytic converter and wheels.

We may ask you whether any parts are missing. Take a look at what we consider to be a complete car and minor parts.

Minor parts are the essential components needed to pass an MOT, such as the lights, mirrors, wipers, steering, braking, suspension, safety and emissions components.

We may ask you whether any parts are missing. Take a look at what we consider to be a complete car and major parts.

No, you can donate a car that has a high mileage.

We may ask you for your approximate mileage.

No, you can donate a car without keys.

We may ask you whether you have the keys. If you've told us your car starts and drives, you'll need to provide the keys.

No, you can donate a car that has been written off by an insurance company.

We may ask you whether your car has been written off.

After you've arranged to donate your car, you'll have the opportunity to discuss your car donation and provide further details.

No, your registration certificate (also known as the V5C or log book) is not essential and it will not affect your donation. However, it does make things easier if you can find it.

We may ask you whether you have the registration certificate.

If you don't have your registration certificate we may ask you to provide personal identification.

No, you can donate a car that doesn't start and drive.

We may ask you whether your car starts and drives. By telling us that it does start and drive you're declaring that there are no mechanical or electrical problems and we will assume you have the keys.

After you've arranged to donate your car, you'll have the opportunity to discuss your car donation and provide further details.

No, you can donate a car without a valid MOT.

We may ask you whether there is any MOT remaining. As it may be unsafe, or even illegal, to drive a car on public roads without a valid MOT, we recommend that you arrange for us to collect your car.

No, you can still donate a car with no service history. However, if you have it, it may help increase your donation to charity so it's worth providing.

No, your car doesn't need to be clean, but you should remove any personal belongings and rubbish from your car.

We're not able to return anything that you leave in your scrap or used car once it's donated.

No, you can donate a car that's been used for anything! Even if it's had a hard life, including being used for rental, private hire, driving tuition or as an emergency vehicle. We'll be happy to look after it.

No, the car you donate doesn't need to have a valid insurance policy.

However, it's illegal to drive a car on public roads without valid insurance, so we recommend that you arrange for your scrap or used car to be collected by us.

No, we can't accept cars for donation that have outstanding finance. You'll need to settle this before you donate your car.

No, it doesn't matter how much tax is on the car you donate, it won't affect the value of your donation.

Any remaining road tax is refunded automatically by DVLA to the registered keeper.

If your road tax has expired it's against the law to drive on public roads without tax, so we recommend you arrange for your car to be collected by us.