Are you a tradesman who is wondering what to do with their old van being replaced by a cleaner rust-free model? Perhaps you have a van that hasn’t passed its MOT and is becoming economically unviable. Or are you thinking “I wish someone would just scrap my van for me!!”. Whatever your situation, scrapping your van can be needlessly complicated when going solo. Giveacar is here to help, so please continue reading to find out how you can scrap your van and donate to charity all in a matter of minutes.
No one would blame you for questioning whether or not Giveacar scraps vans given our rather decisive banner name, however, I can say with certainty that we are happy to accept, collect and donate vans from across the UK.
Quick, Easy & Free
Scrapping a van can be a complicated process; you have to find an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF) near you, fill out the correct paperwork, and then find a way to deliver the van to the correct location. Then there’s always the pressure to make sure you select the right scrapyard, find out who will give you the best value and also fully recycle your old van correctly. The decision doesn’t have to be a complicated one. With Giveacar collection is quick, easy and free.
After chatting with a member of the team who will take down some details you will receive your confirmation email from Giveacar. We will then pass on your contact details to our collection agents who will then call you to arrange the collection at a time that suits you, with collection usually happening within a week.
To find out the details we require from yourself before arranging your collection, please click here.
Giveacar doesn’t charge a penny! We are a not-for-profit social enterprise meaning our sole means of income is generated by the administration fee we take from each donation. To understand our fees, click here.
Our Process
You’ll be glad to hear that the process for scrapping a van isn’t all that different from the process of scrapping a car which means Giveacar is the place for you.
Contact Us
1. For starters you need to get in touch with the team. You can call us on 0207 736 4242 or fill out our online form and one of the team will give you a call to confirm some final details which should take no longer than a couple of minutes. We’ll also use this opportunity to make sure you are clear of the collection process, our fees and your responsibility to inform the DVLA.
Your Van is Collected
2. All of Giveacar’s donor vehicles are collected on the back of a low loader to allow for multiple vehicles to be collected on one route. Our collection agents will call you once they have collected their previous load. When they arrive, please ask them to sign Section 9 of the V5C with their Business Name and Business Address… these act as the organisations signature.
Your Donation is Made
3. At Giveacar we put Charity First, so depending on the condition of your van we might be able to auction it instead of scrapping. We will inform you of which option we’ll take whilst we have you on the phone! If your van is destined for the scrapyard and you would like a copy of the Certificate of Destruction, please get in touch with the team and we’ll be happy to help.
You’ll get a receipt from Giveacar and from your charity once the donation is made. Please note it takes 6-8 weeks for your charity to receive your donation from when the vehicle is sold. Scrap your van with Giveacar!
Our Fees
Giveacar charges a small admin fee, however this comes from your donation and is not a charge to yourself. For donations up to £150 we charge a 25% admin fee, and on donations over £150 we then charge an additional 5%. Please also note VAT at 5% is also deducted, however once that’s done everything else goes to your nominated charity. Simple really, so pick up the phone and scrap your van with us.
Our Scrap Partners
Giveacar proudly works alongside scrap sites that are all ATF registered and are therefore monitored by the Environment Agency. This means your van will be scrapped in accordance with the law and with all the proper paperwork produced. If you wish, you can request your vans certificate of destruction by getting in touch with a member of the Giveacar team.
That’s it! All that’s left is to remove your tools from the back of your van and to have all your paperwork ready for your chosen day of collection. You can submit your details online or call us on 0207 736 4242 and we’ll get your van collected at a time that suits.
To find a charity local to you click here.
The Scrapping Process
When your van is scrapped, it is legally scrapped by one of our Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATF). Here the van has all hazardous materials removed and parts that can be reused salvaged before it is crushed and recycled.
The hazardous materials are removed in the first phase of the Vehicle Depollution Process. The lead-acid battery is detached first, as car batteries contain materials that can be hazardous to the environment.
Next, the vans tyres are taken off and recycled at a specialist recycling centre although only a certain amount can be stored on-site at any one time. Car tyres have been a problem in the past, with companies struggling to find environmentally friendly ways to process them. We work hard to find alternatives to landfill, however, work towards a 100% reuse and recycling rate – shredded, ground or crumbed rubber from tyres can now be used in a variety of applications, and they will always aim for these rather than disposal.
Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) gas tanks are hazardous and they are removed with air bags to follow – these have the potential to explode because of the chemicals they contain in them – as are seat belt pre-tensioners, which are also dislodged at this point.
All of the van’s fuel, oils – including the oil filter – coolants, anti-freeze, and any other liquids that are deemed hazardous will be disposed of next, as any of these can contaminate the soil and pollute the water supply if not removed correctly.
If your van has a catalytic converter, this will be extracted because during the vehicle’s time on the road it will have come into contact with many pollutants. Any switches that contain mercury chemicals will also be removed as well.
After being depolluted, the van is then safe to be crushed, with all its metals, plastics and fibres separated and recycled.
Our Charities
Wondering what those charities might be? Giveacar works with organisations across the UK; whatever the cause you’d like to support, Giveacar can help.
Cancer Research UK – True to their name, Cancer Research supports over 4,800 medical professionals around the UK, all involved with cancer treatment or research. The steady increase in cancer survival rates over the past 40 years is adequate testimony to the importance of the work Cancer Research does.
RSPCA – The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, RSPCA, has been doing their work for over two centuries. They’d remained true to their task throughout, rescuing over 100,000 animals per year and re-homing nearly half of them, remarkable statistics that display the RSPCA’s dedication and effectiveness.
OXFAM – An international aid organisation with the stated goal of eliminating extreme poverty – not just in the UK, but world-wide. Oxfam also works to provide clean drinking water and to improve sanitation and hygiene. Sweeping goals, but the progress made in the last 15 years – halving the extreme poverty rate globally – give vital encouragement for the future.
RNLI – Befitting an island nation, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution has strived since 1824 to provide search-and-rescue services all along Britain’s extensive coasts. WIth bases around the UK, and some 350 lifeboats in their fleet, the RNLI rescues an average of 22 people a day. From the ocean to the some of the major inland lakes and rivers, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution endeavors to be their for those who need it, 24/7.
These are just some of the many charities that Giveacar helps to support. Got that old van still? Reach out to Giveacar and let us help you scrap your van and support the charity of your choice.