The engine or gearbox has gone
The single most common reason a van gets written off by its owner. The rest of the van — body, doors, gearbox, cab, wheels, catalytic converter — often carries real value on its own.
Before you scrap it
Don’t scrap it until you know what it’s worth
Plenty of vans headed for the scrapyard are worth more to a trade buyer. Enter the reg and find out in a minute — it costs nothing and there’s no obligation.
VanBuyers
What’s your van worth?
- Free nationwide collection
- Same-day payment
- Any condition, non-runners included
Should I scrap my van or sell it?
Check what it’s worth to a buyer first. Scrap value is based on weight and metal prices, so it ignores everything that makes a van useful — the model, the parts, the body, what the trade is short of that week. Non-runners, MOT failures and damaged vans are often worth more than scrap money, and finding out takes about a minute.
What we do, and what we don’t
We are a trade buyer. We buy vans for our own stock, to repair, resell or break for parts.
We are not a scrapyard. We are not an Authorised Treatment Facility and we don’t issue Certificates of Destruction. If your van genuinely is only worth its scrap value, we’ll tell you that on the call, and you should take it to a licensed ATF — you can find your nearest one on GOV.UK. Being straight about that is worth more to us than a wasted collection.
When it’s worth checking first
It's failed its MOT badly
A failure list that costs more than the van is worth to you is not the same as a van that's worth nothing. We buy MOT failures as they stand, and you don't spend a penny putting it right.
It's been in an accident
Including Category S and N recorded vans. Damage that makes a van uneconomic to repair for you doesn't make it worthless to the trade.
It's been sat for years
Vans that haven't turned a wheel since the business changed, or since the MOT ran out in 2019. Still worth a call.
It's very high mileage
300,000 miles on the right van is not automatically scrap. Condition and model matter more than the number.
You've been quoted scrap money
Get a second figure before you commit. It costs a minute and there's no obligation either way.
How much is a van worth in scrap?
Scrap value is driven by the vehicle’s weight and the metal price on the day, so it moves week to week and barely varies between a tidy van and a wrecked one of the same size. That is exactly why it’s worth getting a second figure: a buyer prices the van, not the tonnage.
Do I still need the V5C to scrap or sell a van?
You should have it, but a missing V5C doesn’t stop the sale — tell us up front and we’ll handle it. You will need photo ID and proof of address either way, and whoever takes the van must notify DVLA of the change of keeper. We do that for the vans we buy.
What happens to my van after you buy it?
It depends on the van. Some are repaired and resold, some are broken for parts, and the shell of a genuinely finished van goes to a licensed facility to be destroyed properly. Whichever it is, you stop being the registered keeper the day we collect.
Common questions
How much is my van worth?
It depends on the model, mileage, condition and how the market is moving that week. Enter your registration and we'll pull the make, model and last recorded mileage automatically, then ask four short questions. A member of the team calls you with a real figure — not an algorithm's guess you have to argue down later.
Do you buy vans that don't run?
Yes. We buy non-runners, MOT failures, vans with blown engines or gearboxes, and vans that haven't moved in years. Tell us it's a non-runner on the condition question and we'll price it as one. Collection is still free — we bring the right vehicle to move it.
Is collection really free?
Yes, anywhere in the UK. We come to your home, your yard or wherever the van is sitting, at a time that suits you. There is no collection fee, no admin fee and nothing deducted from the agreed price. The figure we agree is the figure you receive.
When do I get paid?
The same day we collect. Payment is made by bank transfer once we've seen the van and the paperwork is signed, so the money is moving before we drive away. We don't pay by cheque and we don't hold funds for a clearing period.
What paperwork do I need?
The V5C logbook, your photo ID, and proof you own the van. Bring service history and MOT certificates if you have them — they usually help the price. If the V5C is missing we can still buy the van, but tell us upfront because it changes the process.
Can I sell a van with outstanding finance?
Yes, this is common and completely normal. Ask your finance company for a settlement figure before we speak. If the van is worth more than the settlement, we clear the finance directly and pay you the difference. If it's worth less, you cover the shortfall to complete the sale.