A Certificate of Destruction (CoD) is the single most important document you receive when scrapping a car, yet it's often misunderstood. Here's what it actually means for you.
What it proves
A CoD is legal proof that your vehicle has been formally deregistered and processed at an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF). It confirms you are no longer the registered keeper and are no longer liable for the vehicle — for tax, insurance, speeding tickets, or anything else associated with it.
Who can issue one
Only a licensed ATF, operating under an Environment Agency permit, can legally issue a Certificate of Destruction. If a scrap buyer can't provide one, that's a strong warning sign they aren't operating legally.
What happens without one
If you sell to an unlicensed collector and never receive a CoD, the DVLA may still show you as the registered keeper. That leaves you exposed if the vehicle is later dumped, used to commit an offence, or simply never scrapped at all.
How it works with us
We notify the DVLA of the change of keeper and email your Certificate of Destruction within 24 hours of collection, so you have written proof on file from day one.