What ‘Scrapped’ means on a Vehicle History Report

A scrapped warning on your vehicle history report is a huge problem. It shouldn’t be on the road and the seller has no business offering it. Learn more about the scrapped alert from the DVLA, and why it’s a huge problem for buyers:

• Pass - While it may have other issues, a scrapped warning is not one of them. Provided everything else comes up clear, feel free to purchase this car. A passing score looks like this.
• Fail -  A scrapped car is not allowed on the road. Do not buy it. While mistakes can happen, this is very worrisome and you’ll want the seller to rectify the issue. A fail for scrapped looks like this.

What Happens If You Buy a Scrapped Car?

You don’t want to buy a scrapped car. It’s not allowed on the road. And it can’t be insured. There are steps owners need to follow to scrap a car, and it should not still be in their possession. It should be at an ATF, ready for the car crusher or for parts. Sure, that’s concerning. But it’s more concerning that you could end up liable if you purchase a car that’s been used in a crime. Car scrapping scams are surprisingly common and you could end up on the hook for thousands in fines. The scams involve paying owners cash for collection (which is illegal) then selling the car on. It’s best to keep a wide berth. If you get any scrapped warning, alert the seller and wait for them to notify you that the issue has been resolved.

Should you buy a scrapped car?

The short answer is no. Even if the seller swears it's an error, don’t take the risk. If the vehicle history information needs to be fixed, have the seller contact the DVLA. Once they’ve repaired the records, run another car history check. If everything comes up clear, feel free to proceed. If you do buy a scrapped car, you won’t be able to register it, insure it, drive it or sell it. Scrapped essentially means a vehicle is no longer a valid form of transport. You don’t need the hassle when there are so many great used cars on the market.

Each time you consider purchasing a new used car, a car history check should be your first step. We’re here to help with your check, just chat to us here.