ATF Scrap Vehicle Revenue Calculator 2025/26
Estimate revenue from end-of-life vehicle (ELV) processing at a UK Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF). Enter vehicle type, current scrap metal prices, saleable parts yield and depollution costs to calculate net revenue per vehicle processed and annual throughput profit.
Key Inputs
- Vehicle type and approximate kerb weight (tonnes)
- Current scrap metal price (£/tonne — ferrous steel, aluminium)
- Estimated saleable parts revenue per vehicle
- Depollution cost per vehicle (draining fluids, removing catalytic converter, airbags, batteries)
- DVLA Certificate of Destruction notification (included in ATF process)
- Annual throughput (vehicles processed per year)
What You'll Get
- Revenue per vehicle (scrap metal value + parts)
- Cost per vehicle (depollution + staff + overhead allocation)
- Net profit per vehicle
- Annual throughput profit
- Catalytic converter value estimate (based on platinum group metals price)
Important Notes — 2025/26 Rates & Caveats
ATFs are licensed by the Environment Agency under the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016. All ELV processing must comply with the End-of-Life Vehicles Regulations 2003. Scrap steel prices in 2025 vary from £100–£180/tonne. Catalytic converter values depend heavily on platinum group metal (PGM) prices — in 2025, a standard petrol cat is worth £20–£80 at scrap; a diesel particulate filter (DPF) much less. EV battery processing is an emerging revenue and cost area — some lithium-ion packs have second-life value, others require costly recycling. DVLA Certificate of Destruction must be issued free of charge to the last owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF) and who can operate one?
An ATF is a site licensed by the Environment Agency (or SEPA in Scotland, NRW in Wales) to legally accept and process end-of-life vehicles. ATFs must hold an Environmental Permit (previously a waste management licence) and comply with the ELV Regulations 2003. Only ATFs can legally issue a Certificate of Destruction (CoD) to the last keeper, which cancels vehicle registration with DVLA. Unlicensed vehicle dismantlers cannot issue a CoD and are operating illegally.
What is the current scrap metal price per tonne in the UK?
Scrap metal prices fluctuate with global commodity markets. In 2025, ferrous scrap steel prices are typically £100–£180 per tonne delivered to a processor. Aluminium scrap is worth considerably more — £700–£1,000/tonne for clean cast aluminium. A typical car weighs 1.2–1.8 tonnes, giving a ferrous scrap value of £120–£320 at current prices. Non-ferrous metals (copper wiring, aluminium alloys, lead batteries) add further value. Catalytic converters contain platinum, palladium and rhodium — the value depends on PGM spot prices.
Does the last owner of a scrapped car get paid for it?
Under the ELV Regulations 2003, ATFs must accept end-of-life vehicles free of charge and cannot charge the last keeper for depollution or disposal. ATFs generate revenue from scrap metal, parts sales and catalytic converters. Whether they pay the last owner a cash sum depends on the vehicle's residual value versus processing cost — many older, high-mileage cars are collected for free, while some more valuable models attract a payment of £50–£300+. The Certificate of Destruction is always issued free of charge.
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