How to dispose of an end-of-life vehicle

An end-of-life vehicle (ELV) is a car or light commercial vehicle (of less than 3.5 tonnes) which is due to be disposed of or scrapped. So, when a car gets old and can't be used anymore, it becomes an ELV. It's important to recycle and dispose of ELVs properly so they don't harm the environment.

You must dispose of an end-of-life vehicle using licensed authorised treatment facilities (ATFs). These are also called permitted scrapyards. End of life vehicles contain hazardous materials that can damage the environment. They can pose a risk to public health if not disposed of in a safe manner. For example, vehicles that contain lead acid batteries, lubricating oil, coolant, brake fluid, and catalytic convertors.

To make sure that old cars are disposed of in a proper way, there is a compliance scheme (ELVES) in place. This is to help improve standards in disposing of end of life vehicles.

You are committing a criminal offence if you (or an authorised treatment facility) dispose of an end-of-life vehicle illegally.

There is no charge for disposing of an ELV at an authorised treatment facility. When you have given your vehicle to an ATF, you should get a certificate of destruction.

If you (or an authorised treatment facility) dispose of an end-of-life vehicle illegally, you are committing a criminal offence.

Laws on ELVs

The EU Directive 2000/53/EC (as amended) sets out measures that Member States must put in place.

In Ireland, European Union (End-of-Life Vehicles) Regulations 2014 (SI 281 of 2014) put the EU Directive into national law.

You must leave an end-of-life vehicle at an authorised treatment facility.

Each vehicle manufacturer or importer must have a national collection system in place. It must be with at least one treatment facility in every city and council area.

These facilities provide a free take-back service for vehicles of that producer’s brand. Independent treatment facilities are also available.

If you leave an end-of-life vehicle at an unauthorised facility, you will not get a certificate of destruction. You may remain recorded as registered owner of the vehicle on the National Vehicle File.

Authorised treatment facilities are not responsible for transporting your vehicle. You will have to arrange to bring the ELV to the facility yourself.

When you have left your vehicle at an authorised treatment facility, the owner or operator of the facility will:

• Issue you (if you are the registered owner) with a certificate of destruction
• Forward the details of the certificate of destruction to the National Vehicle and Driver File. These records are kept by the Department of Transport

An operator of an authorised end-of-life vehicle treatment facility must:

• Issue the registered owner with a certificate of destruction (either electronically or in paper form)
• Make sure the facility is operated under an appropriate waste licence or permit
• Meet the minimum technical requirements for the storage, treatment and recovery of end-of-life vehicles and the storage of components containing fluids, spare parts, etc
• Keep records of end-of-life vehicle materials for reuse, recycling, recovery and disposal and report these records to local authorities annually

The vehicle must be treated within 10 days of being deposited at the facility.

Treating the vehicle includes:

• Removing the battery or batteries
• Removing the liquefied gas tank
• Removing (or neutralising) potentially explosive parts (including air bags)
• Removing, collecting, and storing fuel, oils, and other fluids (for example, brake fluid)
• Removing any parts containing mercury

All other parts of the car should, where possible, be recycled.

You cannot be charged for leaving an end-of-life vehicle at an authorised treatment facility, if:

• You are the registered owner of that vehicle and
• The vehicle is intact

If important parts of your car are gone (like the engine, gearbox or transmission), or there is waste inside your car, you might be charged.

Documents you need to bring with you

You must bring the vehicle registration certificate or log book with you.

Claim a refund of motor tax

You may be able to claim a refund of motor tax if there is more than 3 months unexpired tax. You need a certificate of destruction from an end-of-Life vehicle authorised treatment facility. Contact your local motor tax office for more information.

ELVES, the industry compliance authority has a searchable database of authorised treatment facilities (or scrapyards).

You are committing a criminal offence if you (or an authorised treatment facility) dispose of an end-of-life vehicle illegally.

If you do not take your car to an authorised treatment facility, you can be fined €100. If you don’t follow the rules about getting rid of your old car, like getting a certificate that says it was destroyed, you might have to pay a fine of €1000.

The Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015 introduced fixed payment notices (on the spot fines) for certain offences.

Other penalties for offences are set out in Regulation 35 of the Regulations and are:

• Summary conviction: a class A fine or 12 months imprisonment (or both)
• Conviction on indictment: a fine of up to €500,000 or 3 years imprisonment (or both)

You can read more about how criminal offences are classified.

You can get more information from the Road Safety Authority FAQs and from the: