Take your car to the scrapyard?

Your car has broken down and the cost of repairing it is too high? Then the junkyard could be the place to take it. There are also junkyards that will pick up the car for free and even pay a small amount for it. If you have an exclusive car, such as a BMW or Audi, it may be worth calling a number of scrapyards and asking for a quote. The differences won't be huge, but they can be a few hundred euros less.

In the case of a car to scrap There are a few points to remember. We cover them in this article.

Where can I have my car scrapped?

There are many places where you can have your car scrapped. However, there is one thing you should always keep in mind: it must be an RDW-approved dismantling company, because then you can be sure that your car will be scrapped in the most environmentally friendly way.

Under what conditions can you have your car scrapped?

Firstly, the car is of course your property or you have the explicit permission of the owner to scrap it. Next, you have to find a RDW-approved dismantling company. Then you need the papers and registration codes. The car dismantling company needs these in order to deregister the car. Because of this, the car is no longer registered in your name and in some cases your insurance company will require this indemnification in order to cancel the insurance.

This is how it works in practice

At most junkyards, the process is as described below:

• Contact an RDW-approved dismantling company (a dismantling company in your neighbourhood recognised by the RDW).
• You can find an authorised dismantling company with the RDW location guide.
• Bring your vehicle to the scrapyard. You bring with you: the registration card with the registration code or the paper registration certificate or Have you lost your registration certificate or registration code? Then bring the dismantling code and a valid ID.
• The officer will report your vehicle registration in the vehicle register and give you a certificate of release. This is the proof that the vehicle is no longer on Your name is.

Call your insurance company and stop the insurance. You may need the indemnity certificate for this. The road tax will then stop automatically. If you have paid too much road tax for the current period, it will be refunded automatically.

Lost your license plate?

Without a licence plate, it is not possible to get a licence from an authorised junkyard impossible to scrap a car. At least, they should not confiscate the car. And you shouldn't either, because without a clearance you can't stop the insurance and the road tax will continue. So don't do it! Below are the steps to request a dismantling code:

This is how to request a disassembly code:

1. Make sure you have the report code handy. The report code consists of the last 4 digits of the vehicle identification number (VIN). Using the RDW registration number check, you can look up where this number can be found on your vehicle under 'Place chassis number'. An employee at the scrapyard will often know this too.
2. Log in via the 'Request dismantling code' button with DigiD, eHerkenning or with a RDW certificate and request the dismantling code free of charge.
3. Within a few minutes you will receive an e-mail with a link to the RDW dismantling code.
4. Download the disassembly code.

So it is not a lot of work to request a disassembly code. So always do it.

Important: After applying for a dismantling code, the registration certificate is no longer valid and you must have the car scrapped within 4 weeks. So it is not the intention to take the car on the road with a dismantling code. Then you have to apply for a new registration number.

Scrapping a car abroad?

It is not preferable to scrap a Dutch car abroad, but it is possible. It is quicker to export the car. Then you will also receive a clearance of accounts. The RDW does have a separate step-by-step plan for scrapping a car abroad; see the steps below:

This is how you stop the registration in the Netherlands if your car is scrapped abroad Last update 2022

1. Go to the form via the 'Submit export' button.
2. Complete the form and attach proof that your vehicle has been scrapped. Click 'Submit'.
3. They will process the application. Do they need more information from you? Then they will contact you by telephone or e-mail within five working days. Is the application clear? Then you will receive a letter within 5 working days. This letter will state the status of your application and will inform you whether any additional documents are required.