4-minute guide

Certificate of Destruction: what it proves

The Certificate of Destruction, or CoD, is the record that a car has been scrapped properly at an Authorised Treatment Facility. It is how the DVLA knows the car no longer exists, and it ends your legal responsibility for it.

Who issues it

The certificate can come only from a licensed ATF. A collected car is delivered to one, which logs the destruction and passes it to the DVLA. It is reasonable to ask the buyer for the facility’s name.

What it changes for you

Until the DVLA knows the car has been destroyed, you are still the registered keeper. That means you could receive reminders, penalties or fines connected to the car. The Certificate of Destruction closes that off.

If you have not heard anything

The DVLA normally confirms that you are no longer the keeper. If you have heard nothing after a few weeks, contact the buyer or the ATF for the details of the notification, and contact the DVLA if needed. Keep the yellow slip from the V5C until it is all confirmed.

In short

Comes from the ATF, nobody else
Records that the car no longer exists
Releases you as keeper
No confirmation after a few weeks? Chase it

Facts last compared with GOV.UK: October 2026.

FAQs

Two more questions

The follow-ups people usually have after reading this.

Is the Certificate of Destruction a paper document?

It may be sent on paper or electronically. What matters is that the ATF has notified the DVLA.

Do I need one if the car was written off by my insurer?

If the insurer took the car, it deals with the paperwork. If you kept the car and later scrap it, the ATF handles it as for any other car.

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