Paperwork goes missing — especially for cars that stopped mattering years ago. The good news: a missing registration doesn't mean the vehicle is stuck on your property forever. But there are rules, and they exist for good reasons.
Why we can't just take your word for it
End-of-life vehicles are where stolen cars go to disappear, so any honest operator needs to confirm the vehicle is yours to sell. That's not us being difficult — it's the same check that protects you if someone ever tries to scrap something of yours.
What helps, in order of usefulness
- The original registration and ownership papers, in your name.
- A replacement registration from an Autoplan broker — often quick to obtain if the vehicle is titled to you.
- Insurance records or an old policy showing the vehicle in your name.
- A signed letter from the registered owner, if you're scrapping a family member's vehicle.
The edge cases
Vehicles inherited through an estate, or registered to someone who has moved away, take a bit more paperwork but are usually workable. The ones that genuinely don't work are vehicles with no proof of ownership at all, or papers in a stranger's name. If you're not sure which side of the line you're on, call and describe the situation — the answer is free.
