// Glossary

Scrap-car glossary

Plain-English definitions for the abbreviations and terms that come up when you scrap a car in Scotland. Cat S/N, ATF, CoD, V5C, what they mean, why they matter.

What does ATF stand for?

Authorised Treatment Facility, the legally required type of yard for scrapping a vehicle in Scotland. The full term-by-term breakdown is below; click any term that links to its full reference page for more detail.

ATFAuthorised Treatment Facility

A SEPA-authorised yard route for scrapping end-of-life vehicles in Scotland. The legal disposal route for whole vehicles. See full detail

Cat A

Total-loss insurance write-off. Crush-only; no parts may be reused. Strictest paperwork route. See full detail

Cat B

Body shell must be destroyed but mechanical parts can be legally reused. Tracked carefully through the parts-recovery flow. See full detail

Cat SStructural

Repairable but the structural work must be declared on resale. Often the best value to us, the shell can be rebuilt or running gear sold as parts. See full detail

Cat NNon-structural

Repairable, no structural disclosure required on resale. Highest value category for parts customers, we pay close to running-vehicle prices. See full detail

CoDCertificate of Destruction

The legal document that closes a vehicle's DVLA record permanently. It must come through the authorised treatment route. See full detail

DVLADriver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

The UK government body that holds the central vehicle register.

ELVEnd-of-Life Vehicle

A car at the end of its useful road life. Headed for de-pollution and metal recovery rather than repair.

F-gas

EU-derived regulation covering fluorinated refrigerant gases (HFCs in AC systems). Refrigerant work needs the right certified capability.

HV packHigh-Voltage battery pack

The traction battery in an EV or hybrid. Requires electrical safety qualifications to disconnect. Often holds significant residual value. See full detail

LEZLow Emission Zone

Areas (Glasgow city centre, Edinburgh city centre) where older non-compliant diesels can't drive. Has retired a notable batch of otherwise-serviceable cars.

SEPAScottish Environment Protection Agency

The Scottish regulator for waste, including end-of-life vehicles. SEPA-issued waste-carrier registration is required for transporting ELVs legally.

V5CLogbook

The vehicle registration document. Section 9 ("selling to the motor trade") is the slip we tear off and post to the DVLA when scrapping.

V14

DVLA form for refunding the unused portion of road tax once a vehicle is scrapped. We notify the DVLA; the refund is automatic.

V62

Application for a replacement V5C if your logbook is lost. Costs £25, takes about two weeks. We can wait for it before collection.

WCLWaste Carrier Licence

SEPA-issued licence required for transporting waste, including end-of-life vehicles.

WTNWaste Transfer Note

Required document when hazardous waste changes hands.