How to scrap your car: how to do it?

Published on : 01 November 20193 min reading time

The preservation of the environment has become essential in recent decades. From the protection of natural resources to pollution prevention, removing wrecks from cars remains essential. Thus, after several years of service, a vehicle that is no longer in working order and must be scrapped. How to proceed?

The obligation to scrap a vehicle

Article R.322-9 of the Highway Code provides for the destruction of end-of-life vehicles by approved demolition companies. As a result, owners can no longer dispose of their vehicles as they see fit. As soon as the car is classified as out of service, it is their obligation to hand it over to a demolition company recognised by the State.

In addition, article R543-162 of the Environmental Code reinforces this requirement by providing for a fine of €75,000 or even 2 years’ imprisonment in the event of non-compliance with the obligation. In this case, end-of-life vehicles contain parts and products that are harmful to the ecosystem. These include engine oil, brake fluid and air conditioning fluids.

Discarded cars clutter up and pollute the environment. They can be broken, damaged, irreparable or even too worn out. In addition, unidentifiable cars are wrecks. They require the services of an excavator to transport them to the demolition company. For more details, click here.

From transporting the car to demolishing it

The obligation to scrap a car is a legal process. Thus, the choice of wrecker must be made strictly. In other words, the scrapping company, authorised for this activity, must be approved and recognised by the State. Otherwise, the vehicle owner bears all possible responsibilities related to the destruction and risks a fine of 1500 €.

Indeed, the demolition of vehicles is done meticulously in order to protect the environment from any waste that is harmful to it. The same applies to wreckage removal, which follows strict safety rules. In this case, it is a question of compliance with the standards relating to the transport of the end-of-life vehicle. Leakage of toxic waste cluttered by the car will be avoided.

In addition, a free wreckage removal is carried out for all types of vehicles that can no longer travel on the road. The car is also considered a wreck when the cost of repair exceeds its value. As a result, during his service, the free epavist takes care of the transfer of the car between the demolition company and his parking place.

Scrapping a car: administrative procedures

The law requires the provision of certain administrative documents for the demolition of a vehicle. These documents will confirm its proper destruction and allow the cancellation of its registration with the prefecture. Thus, the owner must submit to the company: the vehicle registration document and an administrative status form as well as a declaration of transfer.

In return, the approved wrecker must give the owner: the detachable coupon from the vehicle registration document and a certificate of destruction. A copy of this document must be provided to the nearest prefecture or sub-prefecture. This declaration must be made within 15 days in order to notify the owner of the destruction of the vehicle and to remove all charges.

The removal of wrecks also requires a special administrative procedure. Like the free wreckage removal in Paris, a registration certificate and an old non-pledge certificate as well as a vehicle transfer declaration form are required. These documents are required for an appointment and are required for the destruction of the wreck.

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