What is a Certificate of Destruction?
A Certificate of Destruction is the official proof that a scrapped car has been destroyed. Once a scrapyard authorised to treat end-of-life vehicles (an ATF) has scrapped your car, it creates the certificate through DVLA's online system, and the last keeper gets a copy. You still need to tell DVLA yourself that the car has gone to an ATF.
Last updated 18 October 2026
ELV / Certificate of Destruction
Who creates one, and for which cars
DVLA's guidance says all scrapped cars must be issued with an official Certificate of Destruction when they reach the end of their life. It covers passenger vehicles and light goods vehicles under 3.5 tonnes, and three-wheeled motor vehicles, including vehicles registered abroad.
The ATF creates the certificate after it has scrapped the vehicle, and gives a copy to the last holder or owner.
What you do with your paperwork
Give the ATF your log book (V5C), but keep the yellow section headed "sell, transfer or part-exchange your vehicle to the motor trade". Then tell DVLA that you have taken the vehicle to an ATF. Gov.uk says you can be fined if you do not tell DVLA.
Once DVLA knows the car has been scrapped, it refunds any full months of vehicle tax left, from the date it receives your information. The refund comes as a cheque to the name and address on the log book. Direct Debits are cancelled automatically.
If the car is an insurance write-off, gov.uk says there is a different process.
A car registered abroad
Gov.uk says a vehicle registered outside the UK that is seriously damaged in the UK must be scrapped at an ATF, which provides the Certificate of Destruction. It is then your responsibility to tell the driving authority in the country where the vehicle is registered.
Where ELV fits
The buyer arranges the paperwork, including the Certificate of Destruction where the car is scrapped.
ELV passes your car details to a vehicle buyer. We do not buy cars or take payment.
Questions
What is a Certificate of Destruction?
It is the official proof that a scrapped car has been destroyed. The ATF that scrapped the car creates it through DVLA's online system.
Who gives me the Certificate of Destruction?
The ATF that scraps your car creates it and gives a copy to the last holder or owner.
Do I still need to tell DVLA?
Yes. Gov.uk says to give the ATF your V5C, keep the yellow section, and tell DVLA you have taken the vehicle to an ATF. You can be fined if you do not.
Do I get a vehicle tax refund?
DVLA refunds any full months of vehicle tax left once it has been told the vehicle is scrapped. The refund runs from the date DVLA receives your information.
Sources
- gov.uk: Scrapped and written-off vehicles, read 18 October 2026.
- DVLA: Certificates of destruction, manual user guide (INF169), read 18 October 2026.
- gov.uk: Get a vehicle tax refund, read 18 October 2026.
