What are the consequences of selling a vehicle as scrap to an individual instead of scrapping it properly?
3 Answers
The consequences of selling a vehicle as scrap to an individual instead of scrapping it properly are as follows: Inability to license a new car: Everyone knows that vehicles have owners. If a vehicle reaches its scrapping time but is sold as scrap, it still remains under the owner's name in the vehicle management office. This directly affects the owner's ability to license a new car. Impact on other vehicles' annual inspections: Many people may own more than one vehicle. If one of the vehicles reaches its scrapping time and is sold as scrap, it will directly affect the annual inspections of other vehicles. Bearing the risk of accidents: Although the vehicle is sold as scrap to a recycling station, some unscrupulous stations might resell the supposedly scrapped car as a used vehicle. However, the vehicle's information is still registered under the original owner's name. In case of a traffic accident, all responsibility falls on the original owner. Therefore, there is a high possibility of facing unexpected accident risks.
I've been repairing cars for decades and seen too many cases like this. If you don't go through the proper scrapping procedures and sell it to individuals as scrap metal, the car still legally bears your name. If the buyer drives recklessly and causes an accident, the police will trace it back to you, and you might end up in court paying hefty compensation. The environmental impact is even worse—illegal dismantling leads to oil leaks that pollute the soil and water, angering the surrounding residents. It harms both others and yourself. You're better off honestly scrapping it at the DMV for the subsidy—simple procedures and peace of mind. I've advised many regular customers not to be penny-wise and pound-foolish. Remember, safety comes first, saving money second. The little you save from scrap metal might cost you a fortune in compensation.
As an average car owner, I must say this practice carries significant risks. Selling a vehicle to a private individual without deregistration means if they continue driving or misuse it causing accidents, you may face legal liabilities, even affecting your driver's license. Future car purchases could also be problematic—with the old vehicle still registered under your name, the license plate system might block you. Don't cut corners for convenience. The formal scrapping process isn't actually difficult; spending some time eliminating potential troubles is far better, at least ensuring peace of mind. A friend of mine once nearly got dragged into a dispute because of this, and since then, they've strictly followed proper procedures.
