A Complete Guide to Scrapping a Car in Ontario
Whether your car has failed its safety inspection, been in an accident, or simply reached the end of its useful life, scrapping it is often the smartest financial and environmental decision. But if you’ve never done it before, the process can seem confusing. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about how to scrap a car in Ontario — from paperwork to getting paid.
When Should You Scrap Your Car?
Not every old car needs to be scrapped, but there are clear signs that it’s time. Consider scrapping your vehicle when the cost of repairs exceeds the car’s market value, the vehicle can no longer pass an Ontario safety inspection, rust or structural damage has made the car unsafe to drive, the engine or transmission has failed and replacement isn’t economical, or insurance and registration costs outweigh the benefit of keeping the car on the road.
If any of these apply, selling your car as scrap is usually the best option. Even vehicles with no resale value still contain hundreds of pounds of recyclable metal that’s worth money.
Step 1: Gather Your Documents
Before you can scrap your car in Ontario, you’ll need your vehicle ownership permit (vehicle registration). This is the document that proves you own the vehicle and have the right to sell it. If you’ve lost your ownership, you can get a replacement from ServiceOntario for a small fee.
You do not need a valid safety certificate or emissions test to scrap a vehicle. The car doesn’t need to be drivable or even start.
Step 2: Remove Personal Belongings and License Plates
Before the tow truck arrives or you drive your car to a scrap yard, remove all personal belongings from the vehicle. Check the glove compartment, trunk, under seats, and door pockets. People often forget items like insurance papers, sunglasses, phone chargers, and EZ-Pass or toll transponders.
Remove your Ontario license plates. By law, the plates belong to you, not the vehicle. You can transfer them to another vehicle, or return them to ServiceOntario if you don’t plan to use them. Returning your plates also cancels your plate portion of the registration, which may entitle you to a refund.
Step 3: Cancel Your Insurance
Contact your auto insurance provider to cancel or adjust your policy once you’ve decided to scrap the car. If you cancel before your policy renewal date, you may be eligible for a prorated refund on your premiums. Don’t wait until after the car is picked up — cancelling the same day you transfer ownership is ideal.
Step 4: Choose a Reputable Scrap Car Buyer
This is the most important step. Not all scrap car buyers in Ontario are created equal. Look for a buyer that is licensed and registered with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, offers free towing (legitimate buyers never charge for pickup), pays cash on the spot, provides a receipt and proper paperwork for the ownership transfer, and has a track record of responsible recycling. CFT Group meets all of these criteria. We’ve been in the auto recycling business in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario for over 60 years, and we process every vehicle in compliance with Ontario environmental regulations.
Step 5: Get a Quote and Schedule Pickup
Call your chosen scrap car buyer and provide details about your vehicle — make, model, year, mileage, condition, and location. A reputable buyer will give you a fair quote over the phone. At CFT Group, call 1-800-263-2344 for a quick quote. Once you accept, we’ll schedule a free pickup at a time that works for you. We offer same-day and next-day scrap car removal in Ottawa and the surrounding region.
Step 6: Complete the Ownership Transfer
When the tow truck arrives, you’ll need to sign over the vehicle ownership to the buyer. In Ontario, this involves completing the transfer section on the back of your vehicle permit. Both you and the buyer sign the document. Keep a copy or photo of the signed transfer for your records. The buyer takes the original ownership document. This transfer is what officially removes you as the registered owner of the vehicle.
Step 7: Get Paid
A reputable buyer pays you at the time of pickup. At CFT Group, our drivers carry cash and pay you on the spot once the vehicle is inspected and paperwork is signed. The amount is based on the quote you received, which factors in the vehicle’s weight, the current scrap metal market, and any salvageable parts.
What Happens to Your Car After You Scrap It?
Once your car arrives at a recycling facility like CFT Group, it goes through a comprehensive vehicle recycling process. All fluids are drained and properly disposed of. Hazardous materials (batteries, mercury switches, refrigerants) are removed. Reusable parts are salvaged for resale. The remaining shell is crushed, shredded, and sorted into recyclable metals. Up to 95% of a vehicle’s materials are recovered and recycled into new products.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Scrapping a Car in Ontario
Don’t pay for towing. Any legitimate scrap car buyer offers free pickup. If someone wants to charge you to remove your vehicle, look elsewhere.
Don’t forget to cancel insurance. You’ll keep paying premiums on a car you no longer own if you forget this step.
Don’t leave your plates on the car. License plates belong to you and should be returned to ServiceOntario or transferred to another vehicle.
Don’t sell to an unlicensed buyer. Unlicensed operators may not follow environmental regulations, and you could be held liable if fluids or hazardous materials are dumped illegally.
Ready to scrap your car in Ontario? Call CFT Group at 1-800-263-2344 for a free quote and same-day pickup. We also offer bin rental and scrap metal buying services across Ottawa.