Scrap Car

In India, the scrapping of cars is not yet an organized process and the rules can vary between states and even between different RTOs. If your car turns into a piece of metal that cannot be driven due to an accident or ages and starts emitting dangerous gases, then you are required to declare it as a scrap car. In other words, you can no longer drive the car and you need to sell it.

Even if your car cannot run on the roads, its body and accessories can fetch you a good amount of money. Therefore, it is important to find a good scrap car dealer in your city and compare offers before scrapping your car. Additionally, you must be aware of all the laws and documents required to sell your car as scrap. But before we begin, let’s look at some age-based rules of scrap cars.

Usually, authorities declare petrol vehicles which are older than 15 years as scrap. For diesel vehicles the period is shorter – 10 years. Remember, these rules are different in different states. Here is a quick look:

·        In Delhi, petrol/CNG cars are declared as scrap after 15 years while diesel cars are scrapped after 10 years. Even if your vehicle is in a running condition, you are not allowed to drive it.

·        In Maharashtra, you can drive a petrol/diesel car for 15 years after which it is declared scrap. However, if your car is in a running condition, then you can drive it by paying green tax. For CNG vehicles, you have to get it retested every three years and obtain a fitness certificate.

·        In Karnataka, the age of the car is not a criterion for declaring it as scrap. You can drive your car as long as it is in a running condition. All you need is a valid Fitness Certificate issued by the RTO which can be obtained by paying the green tax in case of old cars.

Here is a generic process that you need to follow for scrapping your car. Remember, it may vary from state to state.

·        Submit an application to the RTO informing them about scrapping the car.

·        Surrender the Registration Certificate (RC) and Chassis plate to the RTO.

·        Get your car deregistered from the RTO records.

·        If your car insurance is still valid, then you need to inform the insurance company about the scrapping of your car.

Once these steps are done, you need to find a scrap car dealer and provide a copy of the RC along with the bank NOC. Ensure that you find a genuine car scrap dealer and get into a Scrap Deal Agreement with him. This ensures that your car will be scrapped and not used for any unlawful activities. If possible, get the car scrapped in your presence. There are many websites which offer scrap car purchases and provide assistance with all the formalities involved. You might want to research them too.