Scrap & End-of-Life Vehicle Recovery
247 Road Assistance provides recovery and transport for unwanted, failed, damaged and end-of-life vehicles that cannot or should not be driven to their intended destination.
Whether your vehicle is non-running, has suffered a major mechanical failure or is no longer economical to repair, contact us with the vehicle condition, collection location and destination for a personalised recovery quote.
Arrange Vehicle Recovery
Tell us where the vehicle is located, where you need it transported and its current condition.
Please tell us whether the vehicle starts, rolls and steers and whether working keys are available.
0330 043 7086Transport for Unwanted & End-of-Life Vehicles
There comes a point when repairing an older or seriously damaged vehicle may no longer make financial sense. When the vehicle cannot be driven to its intended destination, professional recovery may be required.
247 Road Assistance can assess recovery and transport requests for unwanted, non-running and end-of-life vehicles.
We provide the vehicle transport service. You should arrange and confirm the destination separately and make sure the receiving business or facility is willing and able to accept your vehicle.
If your vehicle is simply non-running and you intend to have it repaired, see our non-runner vehicle recovery service.
We Can Assess Recovery For
- Unwanted vehicles
- End-of-life vehicles
- Non-running cars
- Vehicles with major mechanical faults
- Accident-damaged vehicles
- Long-term stationary vehicles
- Vehicles without working keys
- Vehicles considered uneconomical to repair
Why Might an End-of-Life Vehicle Need Professional Recovery?
An unwanted vehicle can present different transport challenges depending on how long it has been stationary and its mechanical condition. Accurate information helps us assess the recovery requirements.
Major Mechanical Failure
A serious engine, gearbox or other mechanical failure may leave an older vehicle uneconomical to repair and unable to move under its own power.
Long-Term Non-Runner
Vehicles left stationary for extended periods can develop seized brakes, flat tyres and other issues that affect loading and transportation.
Accident Damage
A vehicle with significant collision damage may no longer be economical to repair and could require specialist recovery rather than being driven.
Electrical Failure
Major electrical or electronic faults can leave a vehicle unable to start or release systems required for normal movement.
No Working Keys
Vehicles without working keys can have locked steering, an engaged parking brake or a transmission that cannot easily be moved from Park.
Uneconomical to Repair
Where the estimated repair cost outweighs the value or usefulness of the vehicle, the owner may decide to transport it to an appropriate end-of-life destination.
Need an Unwanted or Non-Running Vehicle Moved?
Send us the vehicle details, collection location, destination and current condition for a personalised recovery quote.
We Transport the Vehicle to Your Agreed Destination
This service is for the physical recovery and transportation of the vehicle.
If you intend to dispose of an end-of-life vehicle, you are responsible for choosing an appropriate destination and confirming the necessary arrangements with the receiving business or facility.
Before booking transport, make sure the destination has agreed to accept the vehicle and check any documentation or procedures that may apply.
247 Road Assistance does not automatically purchase the vehicle as part of the recovery service.
Before Arranging Transport
- Choose the intended destination
- Confirm the destination will accept the vehicle
- Check any required documentation
- Confirm opening and receiving arrangements
- Provide accurate vehicle details
- Tell us about mobility problems
- Provide collection and destination information
Tell Us Exactly What Condition the Vehicle Is In
End-of-life and long-term stationary vehicles can have additional loading challenges. The more information you provide before collection, the better the recovery requirements can be assessed.
Does It Roll?
Seized brakes, damaged wheels or other faults can prevent a vehicle from rolling freely and may affect loading.
Does It Steer?
Steering faults, accident damage or missing keys can restrict steering movement and affect recovery requirements.
Are the Wheels Intact?
Missing, damaged or locked wheels should always be disclosed before collection is arranged.
Are the Brakes Seized?
Vehicles left stationary for long periods may develop seized or locked brakes that prevent normal movement.
Are Keys Available?
The absence of working keys can affect steering, transmission and electronic parking brake systems.
Is There Accident Damage?
Tell us about known wheel, suspension, steering or structural damage that could affect safe loading.
Recovering Vehicles That No Longer Start or Drive
Many vehicles being transported at the end of their usable life are non-runners. However, a vehicle not starting does not necessarily mean it will be straightforward to load.
A non-running vehicle may still roll and steer freely, while another vehicle may have seized brakes, locked wheels or steering problems.
Tell us as much as possible about the vehicle before collection. For more detailed information, visit our non-runner vehicle recovery page.
For Non-Runners, Tell Us
- Whether the engine starts
- Whether the vehicle moves
- Whether it rolls freely
- Whether it steers normally
- Whether the brakes are seized
- Whether any wheels are locked
- Whether tyres are inflated
- Whether keys are available
Transporting Accident-Damaged End-of-Life Vehicles
Some vehicles reach the end of their usable life following a serious collision or other damage.
Accident damage can make vehicle recovery more complicated, particularly where wheels, steering, suspension or structural components have been affected.
If the vehicle has accident damage, provide as much information as possible before collection so the recovery requirements can be assessed.
For recovery specifically following a collision, visit our accident and crash recovery page.
Tell Us About
- Wheel damage
- Locked wheels
- Steering damage
- Suspension damage
- Reduced ground clearance
- Loose bodywork
- Missing components
- Other known loading issues
No-Key End-of-Life Vehicle Recovery
Older or long-term stationary vehicles may no longer have a working key available.
Without a working key, the steering could remain locked, the transmission may be in Park or an electronic parking brake may remain engaged. These issues can affect the way the vehicle needs to be loaded.
Always tell us before collection if the vehicle does not have working keys.
For further information, visit our no-key vehicle recovery page.
No-Key Considerations
- Vehicle access
- Locked steering
- Transmission position
- Parking brake status
- Wheel movement
- Loading requirements
Vehicles That Have Been Parked for a Long Time
A vehicle that has remained stationary for months or years can develop problems that are not immediately obvious.
Tyres can lose pressure, brakes can seize and components can deteriorate. The vehicle may also be positioned somewhere that creates restricted access for recovery equipment.
If possible, inspect the vehicle before requesting collection and tell us about anything that may affect loading.
Check Where Possible
- Tyre condition
- Wheel condition
- Brake condition
- Steering movement
- Vehicle access
- Ground condition
- Available keys
- Obstructions around the vehicle
Confirm the Destination Before Booking Vehicle Transport
If your vehicle is being taken for end-of-life treatment, recycling or disposal, you should confirm the arrangements directly with the business or facility receiving the vehicle before arranging transport.
The receiving destination may have its own requirements relating to vehicle acceptance, ownership documentation, identification or delivery procedures.
247 Road Assistance provides the recovery and transport service. The customer remains responsible for confirming that the chosen destination is appropriate and has agreed to receive the vehicle.
How to Arrange Scrap or End-of-Life Vehicle Transport
Confirm Your Destination
Arrange an appropriate destination and confirm that the receiving business or facility will accept the vehicle.
Send Vehicle Details
Provide the vehicle make and model and accurate information about its current condition.
Provide Both Locations
Send the collection location and the full destination details for the transport quote.
Arrange Recovery
Subject to the vehicle requirements and availability, recovery and transport arrangements can then be confirmed.
Need the Vehicle Transported Somewhere Else?
Not every unwanted or non-running vehicle is necessarily destined for end-of-life treatment.
You may instead need the vehicle moved to a garage, storage location, private property or another suitable destination.
For general vehicle transportation, visit our car towing and vehicle transport page.
If the journey involves a greater distance, you can also view our long-distance vehicle transport service.
Possible Transport Requirements
- Garage delivery
- Workshop delivery
- Storage transport
- Private property transfer
- End-of-life destination
- Other agreed suitable destinations
Request a Personalised Transport Quote
There is no universal fixed price for scrap or end-of-life vehicle recovery.
The cost of transport can depend on the collection location, destination, journey distance, vehicle type and condition and the loading requirements involved.
A vehicle with seized brakes, locked wheels, missing keys or accident damage may require a different recovery assessment from a vehicle that rolls and steers freely.
Send us accurate vehicle and journey details for a personalised recovery quote.
Quote Factors May Include
- Vehicle location
- Destination
- Journey distance
- Vehicle make and model
- Vehicle size and weight
- Vehicle condition
- Whether the vehicle rolls
- Steering condition
- Locked or damaged wheels
- Seized brakes
- Key availability
- Loading requirements
- Collection access
Scrap & End-of-Life Vehicle Recovery FAQs
Can you recover an end-of-life vehicle?
We can assess recovery and transport requests for unwanted, non-running and end-of-life vehicles. Provide accurate information about the vehicle condition, collection location and intended destination when requesting a quote.
Do you buy scrap cars?
This page relates to vehicle recovery and transport. The recovery service does not automatically include purchasing the vehicle. If you are disposing of a vehicle, you should arrange the receiving destination separately and confirm that it will accept the vehicle.
Can you transport my vehicle to a scrapyard or recycling facility?
Transport to a customer-nominated appropriate destination can be assessed. You should contact the receiving business or facility first, confirm that it will accept your vehicle and check any documentation or delivery requirements before booking transport.
Can you recover a scrap vehicle that does not run?
Non-running vehicles may be suitable for recovery depending on their condition. Tell us whether the vehicle rolls and steers and whether there are seized brakes, locked wheels, flat tyres or other mobility issues.
Can you recover a car that has been parked for years?
Long-term stationary vehicles can be assessed for recovery, but their condition is important. Brakes may be seized, tyres may be flat and access around the vehicle may be restricted. Provide as much information as possible before collection.
Can you recover an accident-damaged vehicle for disposal?
Accident-damaged vehicles can be assessed for recovery and transport. Tell us about known wheel, steering, suspension or structural damage that could affect loading.
Can you recover a vehicle without keys?
No-key vehicles may require additional assessment because the steering could be locked, the transmission may remain in Park or an electronic parking brake may be engaged. Tell us before collection if no working keys are available.
Do I need to arrange the destination before collection?
Yes. You should choose the intended destination and confirm directly with the receiving business or facility that it is willing and able to accept your vehicle before arranging transport.
Do you handle the vehicle scrapping paperwork?
This service is for vehicle recovery and transport. You should check the current legal and documentation requirements directly with the receiving end-of-life vehicle facility and the relevant authorities.
Can you transport the vehicle to a garage instead of scrapping it?
Yes, depending on the vehicle and recovery requirements, a non-running vehicle can potentially be transported to an agreed garage or workshop if you decide to investigate repair options instead.
How much does scrap vehicle recovery cost?
Pricing depends on the individual transport job. Factors can include the collection location, destination, journey distance, vehicle type, size, weight, condition, accessibility and loading requirements. Contact us for a personalised quote.
What information do you need for a recovery quote?
Provide the vehicle make and model, collection location, intended destination and accurate information about the vehicle's condition. Tell us whether it starts, rolls and steers, whether keys are available and about any seized brakes, damaged wheels or accident damage.
Need an Unwanted or End-of-Life Vehicle Recovered?
Send us the vehicle details, collection location, intended destination and current condition. Contact 247 Road Assistance for a personalised vehicle recovery and transport quote.