According to the Driver and Vehicles Licensing Agency, less that half of cars scrapped in the UK in 2006 were issued with Certificates of Destruction (CoD). The certificates prove that the cars were recycled in a manner which protects the environment.

CoD’s are required to comply with ELV Regulations. In 2006 only 762,776 CoD’s were issued for scrap cars, while it is believed that up to two million cars are scrapped each year in the UK.

CoDs are issued by authorised vehicle recyclers of which there are around 1,400 in the UK. These recyclers operate treatment facilities where vehicles are scrapped in a manner that will not harm the environment. All hazardous oils, fluids and components are removed before the vehicle is shredded.

The figures were released following a European Parliament report which expressed concern that the number of certificates issued in the first nine months of the ELV Directive’s first target period were lower than expected.

The report mentions a loophole in DVLA regulations which allows the final owner of a vehicle to tick a box on their vehicle deregistration form to say they had scrapped their cars themselves, without requiring a certificate.

The DVLA is working with the Department of Trade and Industry to overcome the problem.

247spares has always made a point of only working with accredited suppliers who strictly adhere to DVLA regulations.