Can You Sell a Salvage Car? What the Law Allows + How to Do It

‘If your car’s been written off by an insurer, you might be wondering: Can I actually sell it? The short answer is “Yes”, but there are a few important things you need to know first.

Selling a salvage car in the UK is perfectly legal, as long as it’s done properly. Whether it’s been classified as Cat A, B, S or N, there are clear rules about what you can and can’t do. Some cars can go back on the road after repairs. Others? Not a chance.

In this guide, you’ll learn when it makes sense to sell a written-off car and how exactly to go about it when you do.

What is a salvage car in the UK?

A salvage car is a vehicle that’s been damaged to the point where an insurance company decides it’s not worth repairing. If fixing it after an accident, flood, fire or theft recovery doesn’t make financial sense, they’ll declare it a total loss.

When insurers assess a damaged car, they compare the cost of repairs to the car’s pre-accident value. If the repairs are too expensive or the damage affects safety, the car is “written off” and assigned a salvage category.

Here’s a quick overview of the main UK insurance write-off categories:

• Category A: Must be crushed. No parts can be reused.
• Category B: Can be broken for parts, but the body shell must be scrapped.
• Category S: Structurally damaged but can be repaired and put back on the road.
• Category N: Non-structural damage (cosmetic or electrical), also repairable and roadworthy after fixes.

“Salvage" vs. “scrap” vs. “damaged”

Just because it's written off doesn’t always mean it’s headed for the scrap heap. These three terms get thrown around a lot, but they’re not interchangeable:

• Salvage means the car has been written off but might still have value, either in parts or after repair.
• Scrap means the car’s at the end of the road and is being destroyed, usually under Cat A or Cat B.
• Damaged just means the car has sustained harm, but hasn’t necessarily been declared a write-off.

In short: All salvage cars are damaged, but not all damaged cars are salvage, and scrap is salvage you can’t drive again.

Is it legal to sell a salvage car in the UK?

Yes. Selling a salvage car is legal in the UK, but only if you follow the rules. The law draws a clear line between what you can sell and what absolutely can’t go back on the road.

Cat S and Cat N: Legal to sell (if you’re up front)

If your vehicle has been given a Category S (structural damage) or Category N (non-structural damage) status, it can legally be sold either before or after it’s been repaired.

However, you’re legally required to declare the salvage status to the buyer. Selling without disclosing this could land you in legal trouble for misrepresentation. You also need to make sure the car is roadworthy (MOT-compliant) before anyone drives it again.

Cat A and Cat B: Not road legal

This is where things get strict:

• Category B cars can’t ever return to the road. You’re only allowed to sell individual parts, not the whole car. The body shell must be destroyed, even if the car looks fixable.
• Category A vehicles must be completely scrapped. Nothing (not even parts) can be sold or reused. These are total losses with zero resale value.

Selling either of these vehicles as drivable cars is illegal. Even selling a complete Cat B shell without proper dismantling breaks DVLA and insurance regulations.

What about the V5C logbook?

If you’re selling a salvage car, the V5C logbook (vehicle registration certificate) still plays a central role. You’ll use it to inform the DVLA when you sell the vehicle online or by post. And if you’re scrapping or dismantling it for parts, you must tell the DVLA you’re no longer the keeper and confirm it’s being broken.

Failure to notify the DVLA results in possible fines, missed tax refunds and continued legal responsibility for the car.

Know your salvage category: what each one means for selling

Before you even think about selling a salvage car, you need to know what category it’s been given. This determines what you’re legally allowed to do with the vehicle and who you can sell it to.

Category A: Must be scrapped (never resold)

Category A cars are considered complete losses, usually due to extreme fire or flood damage. They’re a safety risk and must be destroyed under DVLA rules. You cannot legally sell a Cat A car, not even for parts.

Category B: Parts only (strict limitations)

Cat B cars are badly damaged (often structurally), but some parts — like wheels, interior fittings or even engines — may still be salvaged and sold. However, you cannot sell the vehicle itself as a whole, and it can never legally be driven again. The body shell must be destroyed by an authorised treatment facility (ATF).

Category S: Structurally damaged but repairable

Cat S vehicles have suffered structural damage (e.g. chassis or crumple zone), but are still roadworthy after proper repairs. These cars can legally go back on the road, but they must be repaired to a safe standard and re-registered with the DVLA.

Category N: Non-structural damage

Cat N write-offs haven’t suffered structural damage, just cosmetic or electrical issues (think bumpers, mirrors, or infotainment faults). Like Cat S, you can sell a Cat N car either before or after repairs, but you’re still legally required to disclose the write-off status.

Notes:

• V5C logbook: You must tell DVLA if a salvage vehicle is sold, scrapped or repaired.
• Disclosure: It is a legal obligation to inform buyers if a car is Cat S or Cat N.
• Insurance: Some insurers may not cover or may charge more for ex-salvage cars.
• Finance companies often refuse salvage cars—expect to sell for cash.

Selling a salvage car: full disclosure is the law

Whether you’re selling privately or to a trader, you have a legal and moral obligation to tell the buyer the car has a salvage history.

Misrepresentation is a criminal offence.

If you knowingly hide or mislead someone about a car’s salvage status, you’re breaching the Misrepresentation Act 1967. This law protects buyers from being misled, and it gives them the right to:

• Cancel the sale
• Claim compensation
• Take legal action

You could also fall foul of Trading Standards if you're selling multiple vehicles and they consider you a trader. This can happen even if you're not officially registered as one.

On top of that, keeping the car’s category quiet can result in civil claims, fines and prosecution. It's not worth the risk.

It’s easy for buyers to check anyway.

There’s no point in hiding it, because you’ll get caught by any buyer who’s even the least bit savvy. The car’s V5C logbook (registration certificate) will show a note on the first page if it’s been written off. And a cheap online vehicle history check (HPI, AutoCheck, etc.) will reveal the insurance write-off category in seconds.

Being upfront doesn’t mean you’ll lose a sale.

In fact, honest sellers build more trust. And there are plenty of people who shop specifically for salvage vehicles, so making its history obvious will help the right kinds of buyers find your car more easily.

In listings, include the salvage category in the listing title so immediately visible from listing pages.

Also include the salvage category in the description, along with a quick description of the situation surrounding that write-off.

In conversations, mention the write-off status early when speaking to potential buyers, whether it’s over the phone, text or in person. And speak to the benefits, like who it’s ideal for and how great the repair work was.

Who buys salvage cars in the UK?

If you’re looking to sell a salvage car, you might be surprised at how many types of buyers are actually interested, even for cars that seem far beyond repair. The key is knowing who’s in the market and what kind of salvage vehicle they’re after.

Private buyers

Some private buyers are happy to take on a Cat S or Cat N car, once it’s been repaired and is roadworthy. They’re usually looking for a good deal, meaning they’re willing to accept the salvage status in exchange for a lower price.

Car enthusiasts and restorers

This crowd often goes hunting for unrepaired salvage cars, like rare models and older vehicles with classic potential. These buyers know how to source parts and do repairs themselves, and they’re usually less worried about a write-off status as long as the chassis is salvageable.

Traders and independent dealers

Quite a few car traders buy Cat S and Cat N cars to repair and resell at a profit. Some specialise in salvage vehicles and are set up to do the repairs in-house or via trusted garages.

Selling to a trader is normally a lot quicker than selling privately, but expect a slightly lower offer to account for their margins.

Online salvage marketplaces

Websites like Trader.co.uk, Copart, ASM Auto Recycling, Motorway and Synetiq make it easy to sell damaged and salvage cars to a network of professional buyers. Some even collect the vehicle from your location.

These platforms are ideal if you want minimal hassle and don’t want to negotiate with individual buyers.

Exporters and overseas buyers

Some salvage vehicles, particularly Cat B or heavily damaged cars, are sold for export, particularly to countries where repair costs are lower or regulations around write-offs are more lenient.

Exporters often snap up cars that can’t be driven again in the UK but still have usable engines or body parts. You’ll often find them bidding on online auction sites or posting wanted ads.

How to prepare a salvage car for sale

Selling a salvage car isn’t as simple as just listing it online. If you want to get a fair price (and avoid legal headaches), you’ll need to do a bit of groundwork first.

Step 1: Get a professional inspection or report.

Whether the car’s been repaired or not, a professional assessment adds credibility. An inspection confirms the current condition of the car, identifies any lingering safety or mechanical issues and reassures buyers you’re not hiding anything.

You can go to a local mechanic, body shop or independent inspection service. If the car has been repaired, include a recent MOT certificate and the receipts from repair garages.

Step 2: Organise all your legal documents.

Before listing the car, make sure you have all the relevant paperwork:

• V5C logbook (with updated details if the car changed hands)
• MOT certificate (available online, just make sure it’s valid)
• Repair receipts or inspection reports
• Proof of any salvage classification (e.g. insurance paperwork)
• Having this ready will speed up the sale and show buyers you’re being transparent.

Step 3: Take clear photos of damage and repairs.

Don’t try to hide dents, scrapes, or replaced panels, show them. Take well-lit, high-resolution photos of the following:

• All sides of the vehicle
• Interior and dashboard
• Specific areas where damage occurred
• Areas that have been repaired

This shows good faith and saves time answering buyer questions. If you’ve got “before” pictures, those can help demonstrate what’s been fixed.

Step 4: Decide where to sell it.

Depending on the car’s condition and category, you’ve got options:

• Private sale: Best for repaired Cat S or N vehicles.
• Trader/dealer: Quick sale, but expect a lower price.
• Online marketplaces: Copart, ASM, and similar platforms for easy listing and wide reach.
• Exporters or dismantlers: Ideal for Cat B or non-repairable vehicles.

If you’re a trader, you can list your car on our trader-only platform. All you have to do is sign up (it’s free!).

Best platforms to sell a salvage car in the UK

1. Trader.co.uk

If you want maximum value with minimal hassle, Trader.co.uk is the best option. It’s a trader-only marketplace, meaning you’re selling directly to thousands of verified professional buyers — no tyre-kickers, no time-wasters.
You can list your car for trade-only auctions or direct sales, and the platform’s AI-driven tools help you get the best price quickly. Because every buyer is pre-approved through our application system, it’s a safer and more trustworthy environment than public classifieds.

If you want maximum value with minimal hassle, Trader.co.uk is the best option. It’s a trader-only marketplace, meaning you’re selling directly to thousands of verified professional buyers — no tyre-kickers, no time-wasters.

You can list your car for trade-only auctions or direct sales, and the platform’s AI-driven tools help you get the best price quickly. Because every buyer is pre-approved through our application system, it’s a safer and more trustworthy environment than public classifieds.

2. Copart UK

Copart is one of the UK’s largest salvage vehicle auction platforms. It’s trusted by insurers, dismantlers, body shops, scrap metal recyclers, exporters and individual buyers alike, and is ideal for unrepaired or severely damaged cars.

You’ll need to register, but once you're in, you can list your vehicle and have it picked up for auction. It’s particularly good for Cat B or high-damage Cat S cars.

3. ASM Auto Recycling

ASM buys salvage and scrap cars directly, and also hosts online auctions for trade buyers. You can request a quote or list your car for bidding. They also offer collection services and can handle DVLA paperwork for you.

Ideal for sellers who want a hands-off experience or don’t want to deal with buyers directly.

4. Motorway

While it’s best known for standard used cars, Motorway also accepts certain salvage vehicles, especially Cat N and some Cat S if they’ve been repaired.

They connect you with verified dealers who bid on your vehicle, and collection is arranged once a deal is agreed. A good option if your salvage car is in decent condition and roadworthy.

5. eBay / Facebook Marketplace / Gumtree

Open marketplaces like eBay, Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree offer access to a wide range of private buyers and car enthusiasts. They’re fantastic for selling repaired Cat S or Cat N vehicles where you can show work done and discuss the history.

But be cautious: these platforms come with higher risk of time-wasters and scammers, so take extra care vetting buyers and avoid sharing too much personal info.

Pricing a salvage car: what to expect

Salvage cars don’t follow the same pricing rules as regular used vehicles. The write-off status alone knocks a chunk off the market value. Doesn’t matter if the car’s been fully repaired. But that doesn’t mean you should settle for a lowball offer.

Write-offs sell for less than clean titles, no matter what.

Buyers tend to be cautious with any car that’s been written off. A Cat S or Cat N car that’s been professionally repaired might still lose 20-40% of its original market value, purely because of its record.

If it’s unrepaired, the price drop can potentially be even steeper, often 50% or more depending on damage and repair costs.

You’ll have to factor in the category.

This plays a huge role because it speaks to how well your car will perform on the road (or if it’s even allowed to go back on).

• Cat N usually fetches the highest salvage value. This is especially true if damage was minor and cosmetic.
• Cat S will be slightly lower, as buyers worry about structural repairs and long-term safety.
• Cat B is priced strictly for parts only, based on what’s reusable (e.g. engine, wheels, interior). If valuable parts are resalable, you can make a good chunk of change.
• Cat A is worth its scrap value only.

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Consider age, mileage, and repair quality.

Even with a salvage title, buyers still care about the usual things:

• Service history
• MOT status
• Number of previous owners
• Mileage
• Quality of repairs (with receipts or inspection reports)

A well-repaired Cat N car with low miles will be worth far more than a high-mileage Cat S with questionable fixes.

Value your car, then put the pieces together.

Start by checking what your car would be worth without the salvage title using valuation tools like…

• Auto Trader
• Parkers
• We Buy Any Car

…or by checking online listing sites.

Then subtract 20–50% based on damage, repairs, and salvage category.

Can you sell a salvage car to a dealer or for part exchange?

Yes, you can sell a salvage car to a dealer or use it as part exchange, but your options will depend heavily on the car’s condition and its insurance category.

Dealers will typically only accept Cat S and Cat N cars. Most reputable ones won’t touch Cat A or Cat B vehicles because they’re not road legal and can’t be sold on. Even with Cat S or N, many dealers are cautious.

You can also offer your salvage car as a part exchange when buying a new or used vehicle. Some dealerships may:

• Offer a reduced trade-in value
• Decline the car entirely, especially if repairs seem dodgy
• Pass it on to a trade-only auction or salvage partner

If a traditional dealership turns you down, try selling to specialist salvage dealers, online platforms like Trader.co.uk or Copart and car buyers who regularly deal in Cat S/N stock. Buyers who know the salvage market inside out are far more likely to give you a fair, no-hassle offer.

Exporting salvage cars: is it legal & profitable?

Yes, exporting a salvage car from the UK is legal. And for write-offs that are beyond repair domestically, it can actually be the most profitable route.

The reason is simple: Cars that aren’t worth fixing in the UK due to high labour or parts costs may still hold significant value overseas, where regulations are looser and repairs are cheaper. That’s why a large number of Cat B and unrepaired Cat S vehicles end up in international markets.

• Popular export destinations include:
• Africa (especially Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya)
• Eastern Europe
• Middle East
• South and Southeast Asia

Legal obligations when exporting a vehicle

To stay on the right side of the law, make sure you follow these key steps:

1. Notify the DVLA that you’re exporting the car (use the V5C logbook or complete a ‘Notification of Permanent Export’ form).
2. Cancel the road tax.
3. Obtain an export certificate (V561) from the DVLA if needed by the destination country.
4. Complete customs declarations (via HMRC if you’re handling the export yourself).
5. Use a legitimate shipping agent or freight company to manage logistics and documentation.

Risks and things to watch out for

There are four main problems you might run into when you’re trying to export your car abroad:

• Language barriers
• Scams and non-payment
• Logistics complications (transport, storage, customs clearance, paperwork)
• Compliance issues abroad ( emissions, age, vehicle condition)
• Legal grey areas when selling through informal channels

To avoid these, always verify buyers and get deposits upfront. And if you’re a trader who plans to work extensively in international markets, hire local experts who can save you from being taken advantage of or getting in trouble for noncompliance.

Tax, insurance and legal responsibilities before selling

Before you hand over the keys to a salvage car, make sure you've tied up the legal loose ends. This goes for any vehicle, but selling a written-off vehicle comes with a few extra responsibilities.

1. Cancel the insurance. Do this as soon as you transfer ownership. If you paid for the year in full, you’ll likely get a refund for the unused premium. Ask for proof of transaction.
2. Sort out your road tax. When you tell the DVLA you’ve sold your car, it’ll automatically cancel your road tax. You’ll get a pro-rata refund for any full months left on your tax.
3. Notify the DVLA. This part is crucial. You must tell the DVLA you've sold or transferred ownership of the vehicle. You can do this online via the DVLA’s ‘Buy, sell or scrap a vehicle' service. Or by posting the relevant section of the V5C logbook to the Swansea office.
4. Selling as scrap or salvage? State it clearly. If the car is being scrapped, exported, or sold for parts only (e.g. a Cat B vehicle), let the DVLA know it's been sold to a dismantler/exporter and removed from UK roads permanently. You’ll also need to submit a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) if the car’s not being driven or sold right away.
5. Keep a copy of the sale receipt. That way, you have proof of the transaction if anything comes up later.

Can you still sell if the car doesn’t start or is in bad shape?

Even if your salvage car doesn’t start, doesn’t move, or looks like it’s been through a war zone, you can still sell it. You just need to aim it at the right kind of buyer.

If the car won’t start or is clearly not roadworthy, you won’t get far with private buyers or part-exchange at a dealership. Most everyday buyers are looking for something they can drive away, not a project or parts donor.

So who will buy it?

There’s still a strong market for salvage vehicles in rough condition — especially if you’re upfront about what works and what doesn’t. Here’s who to target:

• Breakers and dismantlers
• Exporters
• Online salvage buyers
• DIY mechanics and restorers
• Hobbyists and collectors (for certain vehicles)

If you’ve got the time, space, and basic tools, you could get more money breaking the car yourself and selling it piece by piece. In-demand parts like engines, gearboxes, lights, alloys and interior fittings might add up to more than you’d get scrapping it or selling the non-running car whole.

Common mistakes to avoid when selling a salvage car

Fundamentally speaking, selling a salvage car isn’t hard. Cut corners or skip key steps, though, and it’ll come back to bite you.
Here are the most common (and costly) mistakes people make:

• Not disclosing the write-off status
• Overpricing the car (which causes it to sit too long)
• Underpricing it (by underselling its strengths)
• Selling to unverified buyers
• Not cancelling insurance and road tax
• Using the wrong platform for your target buyer
• Failing to provide adequate repair/service documentation
• Not getting an inspection report to present to prospective buyers

Is it illegal to hide a car’s write-off status in the UK?

If you know the vehicle has been written off and you deliberately fail to mention it or lie when asked, you could be guilty of misrepresentation under UK law.

While private individuals aren’t held to the same standards as businesses, you must still answer honestly if asked directly whether the car has ever been written off. You cannot knowingly mislead the buyer or deliberately leave out this key information, or the buyer can sue you.

Dealers and motor traders are held to a much stricter legal standard under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

• If you’re selling as a business, you must:
• Clearly declare the write-off status upfront
• Avoid any misleading wording or omissions in ads or conversations
• Make this information available without being prompted by the buyer
• Failing to do so has led to fines, trading bans, and even criminal charges.

Final thoughts

Selling a salvage car in the UK isn’t as complicated as it might seem as long as you follow the rules. No matter if your car’s lightly damaged or completely written off, there’s almost always a buyer out there. You just need to be transparent, realistic, and smart about where and how you sell it.

Disclose everything honestly and early, know your category, use the right platform, handle the paperwork and don’t cut any corners, and you’ll stay on the right side of the law.