How will I be paid for my scrap car with Scrap Local?

At Scrap Local, all payments are made by secure BACS transfer, a fast, bank-to-bank digital payment method. We do not pay cash or use risky payment methods. Payment run time: between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm on the day of collection. Clearing time: usually the same day, but depending on your bank, funds may take up to 48 hours to clear. Delays: if your bank details are incorrect or missing, we’ll contact you as soon as we notice and reissue your payment on the next working day’s payment run.

What payment methods does Scrap Local offer?

Scrap Local only pays by secure bank transfer (BACS). This ensures all payments are: Fast, safe and traceable. Fully compliant with the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013. Paid directly into your account for peace of mind. We do not pay in cash, and customers should avoid anyone who does.

Why can’t I get paid in cash for scrap cars?

Since 2013, it has been illegal to receive cash for scrap metal or vehicles in the UK. This law was introduced under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, which was designed to: Reduce vehicle-related crime. Prevent stolen cars and metals from being traded illegally. Ensure all transactions are traceable and transparent. Protect sellers by making sure only licensed dealers operate. If someone offers you cash for your scrap car, they are breaking the law. It’s a red flag that they may not be a licensed dealer, and you could be held liable if your car is later linked to crime. Always use a trusted Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF), like those in Scrap Local’s network.

What do I need to receive payment?

To receive your payment securely, you’ll need to provide the following details: The name on the card The account number The sort code Important: Scrap Local will never ask for your 16-digit card number or CVV code. If anyone does, do not provide it to them, as it will be a scam.

Who should I give my payment details to?

To avoid payment delays: Provide your details over the phone to our team, or Request a secure payment link to submit your details safely You may also give your bank details to our driver during collection, but this may delay payment until the next working day’s payment run.

When are Scrap Local payments processed?

All Scrap Local payments are added to a daily payment run between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm. This process allows our finance team to pay customers efficiently and consistently across the UK. Due to the large number of vehicles collected each day, instant payments aren’t possible. If you do not receive payment between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm on the day of collection, you will receive it no later than the next working day. Please call us if you haven’t received payment after 48 hours, so we can resolve it immediately.

Why does Scrap Local pay after collection?

Payments are processed after vehicle collection to ensure: The car details are verified correctly. We comply with the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013. Transactions remain transparent, traceable, and legal. This process ensures accuracy and protects both our customers and our network of licensed yards.

Why hasn’t my payment cleared?

Payments are normally sent between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm on the day of collection. However, delays can happen if: Your bank details were missing or entered incorrectly. Your bank takes longer to process transfers (some take up to 48 hours). If you haven’t received payment within two working days, please contact our support team, and we’ll investigate immediately.

Scrap Car Payment Process FAQs

Getting paid for your scrap car should be straightforward, secure and transparent.

When you scrap your vehicle with Scrap Local, payment is made by secure bank transfer after collection. There are no cash payments, collection charges or hidden payment fees.

You can also read our Scrap Local Payments Process guide for a step-by-step overview of how payment works.

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Before Collection: Getting Your Payment Ready

Providing your bank details before collection helps us prepare your payment and avoid unnecessary delays.

This section explains what information Scrap Local needs, when to provide it and how we keep the payment process secure.

To receive payment for your scrap car, Scrap Local needs the bank account details required to send your payment securely.

We’ll ask for:
- The full name on the account
- Your account number
- Your sort code
- Your bank or building society name, where required
These details are securely attached to your booking so that, once your vehicle has been collected and confirmed, it can be added to the relevant payment run.

Scrap Local does not need your debit or credit card number, PIN or CVV security code to pay you.

Never provide these details to someone claiming they need them to send you a scrap car payment.

Providing your correct bank details before collection is the best way to help prevent unnecessary payment delays.
You will provide your bank details before your scrap car collection.

During the booking process, the Scrap Local team will confirm your vehicle details and can take the bank information required for payment.

If you prefer not to provide your bank details over the phone, we can send you a secure link to submit them.

Having this information ready in advance means your booking can move into the payment process as soon as the collection has been confirmed.

Supplying your bank details late can delay your payment and may mean it has to be processed in a later payment run.
You can provide your bank details directly to the Scrap Local team over the phone.

You can also request Scrap Local’s secure method to submit your payment information.

Only provide the information needed to receive a bank transfer:
- your account name,
- account number
- sort code,
- your bank or building society name where requested.
Scrap Local will never need your PIN or CVV security code to send money to your account.

If you’re ever unsure whether a call, message or payment request genuinely came from Scrap Local, contact our team directly before providing any information.
Yes. Scrap Local can pay your vehicle payment into another person’s bank account if you request it.

Before we make any changes to the payment details, we’ll need to verify that the request is coming from you.

To do this, we’ll ask you to confirm the vehicle registration number and collection postcode linked to your booking.

Once your identity has been confirmed, we can update the bank details and arrange payment into the nominated account.

For security, please make sure any change to payment details is made directly with the Scrap Local team before the payment has been processed.
Yes. Scrap Local only needs the standard account information required to send you money, not the sensitive card information used to make purchases.

For a standard payment, we’ll ask for information such as your account name, account number and sort code.

We will not need your:
- Online banking password
- Banking PIN
- Debit or credit card CVV
- Full debit or credit card number
If anyone claiming to represent Scrap Local asks you to provide passwords, PINs, or security codes to receive your scrap car payment, do not provide them.

Contact Scrap Local directly to verify the request.

Keeping payments electronic also creates a clear transaction record, which is an important part of the regulated scrap metal industry.

Our Reviews

4.9 Over 980 Reviews

Melissa Callaghan 4 months ago

Excellent service. Did everything they said. Would use again.

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Caz Oliver 4 months ago

Excellent service . I would most definitely recommend them thankyou scap local

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steve “no knickname” paton 4 months ago

Excellent service 👏

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Kelly Willoughby 4 months ago

Very quick and friendly service, would highly recommend.

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Hayden McDonald 4 months ago

Very easy and straightforward collection of my vehicle. I wasn’t too sure on what process was involved and what I needed to do with documentation. The driver who was collecting explained everything. he called me around 45 minutes before collecting. Also, arranging the collection was really easy and the staff on the phone were really friendly. Payment was made the same day just a couple of hours after collection. Thankyou to Beardo the driver for explaining everything and reassuring me. Great company and a pleasure to deal with from start to finish

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m Wa 4 months ago

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Carol Crompton 4 months ago

Excellent service, very helpful and polite. The guy was on time to pick my van up, again , very polite 👍

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Tasha Moore 4 months ago

Brilliant Service from Scrap Local.
Came and collected my (borderline derelict) car in less than 72 hours from scheduling.

I was told in advance of a window of arrival, what documents and paperwork I would need etc. So the whole process took less than a few hours from collection, to the payment arriving in my account

"Beardo" who collected was very friendly and was happy for me to go back inside whilst he sorted the rest out.

10/10 will definitely recommend to anyone looking to scrap!

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Michelle Wilson 4 months ago

Brilliant would recommend was no trouble at all they came when said they would and very helpful

...

How Scrap Local Pays You

Scrap car payments in England and Wales must be made using traceable methods rather than cash.

Scrap Local uses secure bank transfers, creating a clear record of the transaction while making it straightforward for customers to receive their money.

Scrap Local pays customers using secure electronic bank transfer.

While UK legislation permits certain other traceable payment methods, including non-transferable cheques, Scrap Local’s customer payment process uses bank transfer.

The Scrap Metal Dealers Act specifically permits electronic methods including BACS and Faster Payments because they create a traceable record between payer and payee.

Using bank transfers means payments are:
- Traceable
- Sent directly to the nominated account
- Recorded electronically
- Compliant with cashless scrap-metal payment requirements
Scrap Local does not pay cash for scrap vehicles.
Scrap Local processes payment after collection so that the vehicle can first be confirmed as present, complete and matching the details used to agree your price.

Once the collection has been successfully completed, your booking can be confirmed and added to Scrap Local’s payment run.

This protects both the customer and the recycling network by ensuring payment is attached to a genuine, completed and traceable vehicle transaction.

It also means the collection driver does not need to carry or exchange cash at the roadside.

If your vehicle is as described and the details confirmed during the quotation process remain accurate, Scrap Local’s agreed price is guaranteed.
Cash payments for scrap metal are prohibited under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 in England and Wales.

Section 12 of the Act prevents scrap metal dealers from purchasing scrap metal for cash. Instead, payment must be made using a permitted traceable method, such as an electronic transfer or non-transferable cheque.

The purpose is to create a clear record linking the payment to an identifiable payer and payee.

Motor salvage operators are included within the scrap metal dealer licensing regime, so these cashless requirements are relevant when vehicles are purchased as scrap.

Scrap Local therefore pays customers by secure bank transfer.

If a scrap metal dealer in England or Wales offers to buy your scrap car for physical cash, don’t assume this is normal industry practice.

Check that you’re dealing with a properly licensed operator before handing over your vehicle.
Scrap Local pays for scrap vehicles by secure bank transfer directly into your bank account.

Once your vehicle has been successfully collected and its details confirmed, your booking is added to our payment process.

Scrap Local currently processes its daily payment run between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm, with payments typically clearing by the following business day.

We don’t hand customers cash when their vehicle is collected.

Electronic payment is secure, convenient and traceable, helping Scrap Local and our network comply with the requirements governing scrap metal transactions.

To avoid delays, make sure we have your correct bank details before your vehicle is collected.

When Will I Get Paid for My Scrap Car?

Once your vehicle has been collected, it’s added to Scrap Local’s payment process.

These FAQs explain our daily payment run, when the money should reach your bank account and what weekends or bank holidays can mean for payment times.

You won’t normally receive your money from the collection driver at the point your vehicle is loaded.

Once the vehicle has been collected and the collection confirmed, your booking is added to Scrap Local’s payment process.

Payments are then sent electronically to the bank details you’ve provided.

Scrap Local’s payment run takes place between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm, with funds typically clearing no later than the following business day.

This means your vehicle may leave before the money appears in your account.

That’s part of Scrap Local’s normal payment process and is why we recommend providing your bank details before collection.
Scrap Local’s daily payment run takes place between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm after vehicle collection.

Once your vehicle has been collected and confirmed, your booking is added to the payment process using the bank details you’ve supplied.

Payments will often reach customers quickly, but Scrap Local advises that funds typically clear no later than the following business day.

Your bank’s own processing can affect exactly when the money becomes visible in your account.

If your bank details were supplied late, are incomplete or need correcting, your payment may move to a later payment run.
Scrap Local payments are processed after collection, with the daily payment run taking place between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm.

Many payments arrive quickly, but Scrap Local advises customers that funds typically clear by the following business day. The exact time can vary depending on the receiving bank or building society.

This is different from the time your payment is processed. A payment can have been sent by Scrap Local but not yet appear as cleared funds in your account.

If you haven’t received your payment within 48 hours, Scrap Local’s current guidance is to contact the team so the transaction can be investigated.
They can affect when a payment is expected to have cleared because Scrap Local’s published payment timeframe refers to the following business day.

For example, if your payment falls around a weekend or bank holiday, the next business day may be later than the next calendar day.

Your individual bank’s processing arrangements can also affect when transferred funds become visible.

If your vehicle is being collected immediately before a weekend or bank holiday and you’re unsure when to expect payment, ask the Scrap Local team during booking so we can explain the expected timeframe for your collection.
Scrap Local does not offer an instant roadside payment at the moment your vehicle is collected.

Once collection has been confirmed, your vehicle is added to our payment process.

Our scheduled payment run allows payments to be handled consistently and matched to completed vehicle collections.

The payment run takes place between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm, and funds typically clear by the following business day.

If receiving your payment by a particular date is important, discuss this with our team before booking your collection so you understand the applicable payment timeframe.

Learn More With Our Expert Guides

Vehicle recycling is just one part of the journey.

Our growing library of guides covers scrap cars, salvage vehicles, used parts, recycling, road safety, metal recycling and much more.

Whether you’re looking for expert advice or simply want to learn something new, you’ll find helpful resources below.

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How to Find a Scrap Vehicle Buyer Near You

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scrap car quote

Learn how to get a free scrap car quote in the UK with Scrap Local.

Your Scrap Car Quote & Final Payment

Nobody wants their agreed scrap car price unexpectedly reduced on collection day.

Scrap Local confirms your vehicle’s details before booking and provides guaranteed pricing based on the information you give us, with free collection and no hidden fees.

Yes, provided your vehicle matches the condition and details confirmed with Scrap Local.

After you request a quote, a member of our team calls to confirm important information about the vehicle.

This allows us to provide an accurate price before arranging collection.

Once that price has been agreed, it is guaranteed as long as the vehicle remains as described and major components haven’t been removed.

For higher-value or salvage vehicles, Scrap Local may request photographs and additional information so the vehicle can be accurately valued before a final offer is agreed.

The aim is simple: establish the correct value before the collection arrives rather than surprising you with unexplained deductions at the roadside.
Your confirmed Scrap Local price should not change simply because the collection driver has arrived.

However, the guaranteed price depends on the vehicle matching the information provided during the quotation and confirmation process.

If important information was inaccurate, the vehicle’s condition has materially changed or major components have been removed since the quote was agreed, the original valuation may no longer apply.

That’s why Scrap Local confirms the vehicle’s details before booking.

Be open about missing parts, accident damage, mechanical problems and the overall condition when speaking to our team.

Accurate information allows us to give you the correct price from the beginning.
Scrap Local does not charge hidden administration or collection fees for its scrap car service.

Free collection is included as standard, and the confirmed price is guaranteed where the vehicle matches the description provided.

That means you shouldn’t receive an agreed price and then discover an unexplained call-out, collection or administration charge has been deducted afterwards.

The important exception is where the vehicle is materially different from what was described when the price was agreed.

Missing major components or inaccurate condition information can affect the vehicle’s underlying value rather than representing a hidden fee.

Providing accurate details from the start is therefore the best way to ensure the amount agreed is the amount you’re paid.
No. Scrap Local’s scrap car collection service is free of charge across its UK collection network.

There are no standard call-out, administration or vehicle-collection fees deducted from your agreed scrap car price.

Scrap Local’s current collection policy states that collection is included as standard.

Your location is one of the factors considered when calculating the vehicle’s original quotation, but you won’t subsequently receive a separate collection bill as we will find an agent close to you.
Tell Scrap Local before collection if your vehicle’s condition or specification has changed since your price was agreed.

Examples that could affect a valuation include major components being removed or important information about the vehicle’s condition being materially different from what was originally provided.

Scrap Local’s guaranteed pricing is based on the fact-finding completed with you before collection.

If that information is accurate and the vehicle remains as described, the agreed price is guaranteed.

If something has changed, contact us as soon as possible.

We can reassess the information before the driver arrives rather than leaving the issue to be discovered during collection.

Payment Problems & Delays

Most Scrap Local payments are completed without a problem. Occasionally, incorrect or missing bank information, collection confirmation or bank processing times can cause a delay. If your money hasn’t arrived when expected, here’s what to check and what happens next.

If your vehicle has been collected but the payment isn’t showing in your account yet, it doesn’t necessarily mean something has gone wrong.

Common reasons for a delay include:
- Bank details being supplied late
- Missing payment information
- An incorrect account number or sort code
- Your payment being added to a later payment run
- Your bank taking longer to credit the transfer
- A weekend or bank holiday affecting the expected business-day timeframe
- Scrap Local needing to verify information connected with the booking
Scrap Local’s payment run takes place between 5:00pm and 7:00pm, with funds typically expected to clear no later than the following business day.

Current Scrap Local guidance asks customers to get in touch if payment hasn’t been received within 48 hours.
Contact Scrap Local as soon as you realise the information is incorrect.

If the payment hasn’t yet been processed, the team will be able to correct the details attached to your booking before the payment is sent.

If a payment has already been sent using incorrect bank details, the situation is more complicated and will need to be investigated by the accounts team.

Do not simply submit another set of details and assume the original transfer can automatically be reversed.

When providing or correcting payment details, carefully check:
- Account holder name
- Sort code
- Account number
The earlier you report an error, the easier it is for the team to investigate before payment processing.
First, check that your vehicle has been collected and that Scrap Local has the correct bank details for your booking.

Then check your account after the expected payment timeframe.

Scrap Local processes payments between 5:00pm and 7:00pm, and funds typically clear no later than the following business day.

If payment still hasn’t arrived:
1. Check that you provided the correct account number and sort code.
2. Allow for weekends or bank holidays where relevant.
3. Check whether Scrap Local has contacted you requesting missing information.
4. Contact the Scrap Local team with your vehicle registration and collection details.
Our current guidance asks customers to contact us if payment hasn’t arrived within 48 hours, so the accounts team can investigate.
If your payment hasn’t arrived within the expected timeframe, contact the Scrap Local team so we can check your booking and payment status.

Have your vehicle registration number and collection details available, as these will help us locate the correct transaction.

If you’ve spotted an error in your bank details, tell us immediately rather than waiting for the normal payment timeframe to pass.

You can reach Scrap Local through our Contact page or by using the contact details provided with your booking.

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