Motor salvage operators
Motor salvage operators are regulated under the Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001, which requires any person carrying on business as a motor salvage operator to be registered with their local authority. This includes businesses that:
- recover salvageable parts from motor vehicles for reuse or sale (i.e. vehicle breakers);
- purchase and repair written-off vehicles, for subsequent resale; or
- buy and sell vehicles for either of the above activities.
Application process
Applicants should complete our application form, providing all of the required information, and return the completed form to the address shown, together with payment of the application fee, which is currently £70.00. Applications can also be made using our online application form.
Unfortunately at this time no online applications can be made, only posted or hand delivered applications can be accepted. For further details please call 020 7926 6108.
If a registration is granted, it will be valid for a period of 3 years, and an application to renew the registration may be made in the last 2 months of this period.
If we are not satisfied that the applicant is a fit and proper person to carry on business as a motor salvage operator, taking into account any relevant previous convictions, we will refuse the application. The applicant will be notified of any proposal to refuse an application, and given a period of at least 14 days to make representations, before a decision is taken.
Persons who have had an application for registration as a motor salvage operator refused may appeal against the decision to the local Magistrates' Court within 21 days of receiving notification of the decision. Further details will be sent with the decision notice.
Local authorities do not have to consider any applications made by a person who has either been refused a registration or who has had a registration cancelled in the previous 3 years.
Can I start to act as a motor salvage operator before my application has been granted (will tacit consent apply)?
No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the local authority within a reasonable period, please contact us.
Other matters
Registered motor salvage operators must notify us within 28 days if any of their details (e.g. name or address) change during the period that they are registered, or if they cease trading as a motor salvage operator.
Registered motor salvage operators are legally obliged to keep records of their business transactions, which can be inspected by the police. Details of the information that must be recorded are included with the application form.
Registrations may be cancelled before the expiry date if the authority is satisfied that the operator is no longer suitable to continue to be registered (e.g. if they have been convicted of relevant offences). The operator will be notified of any proposal to cancel a registration and given a period of at least 14 days to make representations. If the decision is subsequently made to cancel the registration, the operator may appeal against the decision to the local Magistrate's Court, and full details will be sent with the decision notice.
Public register
A list of the motor salvage operators registered to operate in Lambeth can be inspected at our offices during our usual opening hours.
Comments and complaints
If you have any comments or complaints about a motor salvage operator in Lambeth, we would advise that you firstly contact the trader directly - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, Consumer Direct may be able to offer you further advice (or the UK European Consumer Centre, if you are outside the UK).
If you have recently applied to register as a motor salvage operator in Lambeth, and you wish to make a comment or complaint about the way in which your application was processed, please see our Comments and Complaints pages.