How to Sell Your Car for Parts in the UK (the Smart Way)

Selling your car for parts sometimes makes more financial sense than scrapping it straight away. Instead of taking the flat scrap price, you unlock extra value by letting others buy the components they need (some of which equal nearly the entire scrap value of the vehicle).

Whether your car is a non-runner, a write-off, or simply not worth repairing, selling parts gives you another option. It’s particularly useful for vehicles with popular engines, electronics, and/or body panels still in good condition.

In this, we’re going to dig into how to sell a car for parts in the UK, what to watch out for, and how to decide if it’s the right move before scrapping.

Why selling a car for parts might be the best option

Scrap yards pay based on weight, not condition. That means a car with a healthy engine, gearbox, and body panels is worth far more in parts than as scrap metal alone.

Parting out your car is usually the better route when:

• Your car still has high-demand components. Popular engines, alloy wheels, catalytic converters, and electronics fetch strong resale prices.
• It isn’t worth repairing. If repairs cost more than the car’s value, parting it out lets you recover some money instead of losing it all.
• The model is common. More vehicles on the road mean more demand for replacements, which makes parts easier to shift.
• It’s a write-off. Even if insurers deem it uneconomical to fix, salvageable parts still hold value.
• You want to maximise return. A well-planned part-out almost always beats a flat scrap offer.

Basically, if your car has components others want, selling it for parts can put more cash in your pocket before you move on to scrapping.

Is it legal to sell a car for parts in the UK?

It is legal to sell a car for parts in the UK, but there are important rules to follow:

Category A write-offs can’t be sold for parts. These vehicles must be crushed in full.

If you’re dismantling a business, you need an ATF. Vehicles must be broken down at a government-regulated Authorised Treatment Facility to ensure safe and legal disposal.

Selling used car parts requires a licence. You need an environmental disposal licence (often called a breaker’s licence). This means you can’t usually strip a car yourself and sell parts individually unless you’re licensed.

For most private sellers, the simplest route is to sell the whole car as salvage to a licensed breaker or salvage company. They handle dismantling and resale legally, while you still get paid for the value of the parts.

Can you make money selling a car for parts?

Yes. In a lot of cases, you’ll make more by selling a car for parts. High-demand items like engines, gearboxes, wheels, and catalytic converters sell for strong prices, meaning the total return can beat a flat scrap quote. The key is whether your car’s components are still in good condition and in demand.

Which car parts are worth the most?

Certain car parts are valuable because they’re either expensive to buy new, always in demand, or both:

• Engines and gearboxes: Costly to replace and always needed for vehicle repairs.
• Catalytic converters: Valuable due to the precious metals inside.
  Alloy wheels and tyres: Popular upgrades and replacements (especially premium sets).
• Electronics (ECUs, sensors, infotainment units): Pricey new, making used ones attractive.
• Body panels and bumpers: Commonly needed after accidents, particularly for common models.
• Seats and interiors: High-spec or leather interiors carry strong resale value.
  ​​These are the parts that generate the most money if your car is being sold for spares.

Factors that affect the value of car parts

The value of used car parts depends on demand. Parts for popular models that are still common on UK roads tend to sell quickly and for higher prices. On the other hand, components from rare or discontinued cars are a lot harder to shift, even if they’re in good condition.

Condition plays a huge role as well. A gearbox with low mileage and a full service history is worth far more than one from a neglected vehicle. The same applies to tyres, interiors, and electronics; buyers want parts they can trust will last.

Age matters too. Newer parts fetch more because they go on newer models, though some older cars develop a cult following that keeps demand high. Classic cars, for instance, have surprisingly valuable components because replacements are incredibly difficult to source.

Beyond the basics, market trends influence prices. Catalytic converters have risen in value because of the precious metals inside, while items like sat nav units have dropped in demand because most drivers use their smartphone and Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.

Knowing what’s hot and what’s not helps you judge whether selling your car for parts is worth the effort.

How to set realistic expectations

The first step is to be realistic about the price you’ll get for parts. Most sellers won’t make thousands unless the car is rare or packed with high-value components. For the average run-around, you’re more likely to pocket a few hundred pounds over scrap value.

It’s also worth remembering that parts don’t always sell straight away. Some go quickly, while others sit for weeks or even months before the right buyer comes along. Parts buyers factor that into the final offer when they buy your car off you.

Who buys cars for parts in the UK?

There are several groups that regularly buy cars for parts: breakers and scrap yards, online private buyers, mechanics and car enthusiasts. But the rules surrounding who can legally sell to them matter just as much as the buyers themselves.

Breakers and scrap yards

Car breakers and scrap yards are the most common options. Licensed Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs) handle dismantling legally, resell the usable parts and recycle the rest. For most private sellers, this is the only route that’s legally possible.

Car buying platforms

Sites like ours are essentially the middleman between you and the breaker or scrap yard. They quote you, pick your car up for free, handle the paperwork and pay you on the spot. It’s easier than doing it yourself and, if you pick the right one, give you a more favourable price.

Online marketplaces

Online platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and specialist forums are full of listings for used car parts. However, you can’t just strip your car and list the parts yourself without the proper licence. For example, eBay now requires you to display your environmental permit number in any car parts listing and without it, your ad will be removed.

Mechanics and car enthusiasts

Auto mechanics and DIYers buy used parts all the time. But again, they source them from breakers or licensed sellers. You can’t legally sell to them directly unless you hold a breaker’s licence.

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How to sell a car for parts: step by step

The process of selling a car for parts is straightforward if you know the right route. For most drivers, it means finding a licensed breaker or salvage company, agreeing on a price, doing the paperwork, and then letting them handle dismantling and resale.

From start to finish, the steps look like this:

1. Assess the condition and salvageable parts.

Start by looking at what’s still in good shape. Check the major components: the engine, gearbox, catalytic converter, wheels, tyres and interior. Even if the car isn’t running, some of these parts might still be valuable.

It helps to look at your service history and MOT certificates too. They give buyers confidence that parts like the engine or gearbox have been looked after.
If you’re not sure what’s worth money, don’t worry, a licensed breaker will do the full assessment for you. But having an idea upfront helps you set realistic expectations about what your car is worth in parts and protects you from being taken advantage of.

2. Get quotes from multiple buyers.

Don’t settle for the first offer you receive. Prices can vary widely depending on who you approach and how much demand there is for your car’s parts.

Start with licensed breakers and salvage companies. Many offer instant online valuations based on your reg and postcode. It’s also worth checking with scrap comparison sites, which show you offers from different ATFs in your area.

If your car is a popular model, you may even get interest from specialist breakers who deal in certain brands, like BMW or Volkswagen. They often pay more because they know the parts will sell quickly.

If you sell your car for parts with us, you can skip the hassle of calling multiple yards and switching between tabs. We’ll give you instant quotes from multiple local scrap yards and car breakers. Compare side by side and pick the one that offers you the most.

3. Remove your personal belongings and organise the paperwork.

Before collection, clear everything out of the car. That includes sat navs, chargers, tools and personal documents. Once the vehicle goes to a breaker, you won’t have access to it again.

If you have a private number plate, put it on retention using the V778 form and re-fit the car with its original registration. If you don’t do this before taking it to the breaker/scrap yard, you’ll permanently lose the right to use it.

Next, get your paperwork in order. However, you’ll need the V5C logbook to prove ownership and to notify the DVLA of the sale. If you have the MOT/service history and receipts for recent repairs, keep those handy as well. They help you demonstrate the condition of key parts.

4. Transfer ownership correctly.

When you’ve agreed on a sale, the final step is to hand the car over properly. When you sell through us, a licensed breaker will arrange free collection and pay you by secure bank transfer upon pickup. Cash payments are no longer legal under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013.

Make sure you complete the yellow “Sell, transfer or part-exchange your vehicle to the motor trade” section of the V5C logbook, tear it out, and give the rest of the logbook to the buyer.

5. Notify the DVLA after the sale.

After the sale, send the DVLA your part of the form (the V5C/3) or update online so the car is officially no longer in your name. Failing to notify them means you could still be held responsible for tax, insurance or even fines linked to the vehicle, not to mention a £1,000 fine.

After you’ve notified the DVLA, they will:

• Send you a confirmation letter (or email if you used the online service).
• Issue a refund for any full months of unused vehicle tax.
• Update their records so the car is officially marked as sold to the motor trade.
• Post you a Certificate of Destruction (CoD) from the scrap or breaker’s yard.

At this point, the car has left your hand, and you can cancel your insurance as well.

Where to list your car for parts

If you hold the right licences and are breaking cars legally, there are several platforms where parts can be sold effectively.

eBay remains one of the most popular marketplaces for car parts. It has a large audience of garages, mechanics, and DIY car owners. To sell here, you have to display your environmental permit number in each listing or the platform will remove your ads.

Facebook Marketplace and specialist forums are widely used as well. Enthusiasts search these spaces for affordable parts, but again, you’ll need to show proof of your licence before selling.

Dedicated B2B channels like breaker-to-garage supply networks are also valuable. Most licensed dismantlers build ongoing relationships with mechanics, dealerships and insurance repairers who buy parts in bulk.

Should you dismantle it yourself or sell it whole?

For most people, selling the car whole to a licensed breaker is the smarter option. Dismantling it yourself without the proper licence is illegal and impractical.

Breaking a car down at home might seem like a way to earn more, but it comes with risks. You’ll need specialist tools, safe storage and the right environmental licences. Without these, you can’t legally sell the parts on to buyers or list them, even on seller-friendly platforms like Trader.co.uk or eBay.

By contrast, selling the entire car to a breaker means they handle the dismantling, resale and disposal. You get paid on the spot and get rid of the car all in one go. You still benefit from the parts’ value, but without the legal or logistical headaches.

Final thoughts

If you’re the average driver, the simplest and most profitable option is to sell your car for parts directly to us. Our algorithm calculates the highest-value components to make sure you get the most competitive price in the UK.

You can compare offers from local breakers upfront, with a full breakdown for transparency. The price we quote is the price we pay (provided your description is accurate). And we handle free same/next-day collection, DVLA paperwork and the Certificate of Destruction, so the process is completely hands-off for you.

If you’re a licensed trader, the situation is different. You’ll likely maximise returns by dismantling cars yourself and selling components through your own channels. That route takes more work but gives you access to margins that only businesses can legally capture.

Find a breaker’s yard near you and get started today.