Heritage on the Move: Building a Representative Body for Classic Motoring
🏛️ Policy Proposal: Unlocking Access to Scrapped Vehicles for Heritage Restoration Objective
To establish a regulated framework that allows classic car owners and restorers controlled access to scrapped vehicles held at Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs) in Northern Ireland, enabling the salvage of usable parts before full destruction.
Key Provisions
Legislative Amendment: Introduce a clause within existing end-of-life vehicle regulations to permit public or club-based access to ATFs under supervision.
Partnership Model: Encourage ATFs to collaborate with registered classic car clubs and restoration bodies to identify salvageable components.
Digital Registry: Create an online platform listing available vehicles and parts prior to destruction, accessible to approved users.
Environmental Safeguards: Ensure all salvaging is conducted post-depollution and in compliance with NIEA standards.
Economic Incentives: Offer tax relief or grants to ATFs participating in the scheme, recognising their role in heritage preservation and circular economy.
Benefits
Reduces waste and promotes reuse of rare components.
Supports the sustainability of Northern Ireland’s classic car sector.
Preserves motoring heritage and encourages skilled restoration.
Strengthens community ties between ATFs and enthusiasts.
📣 Campaign Message: “Don’t Let History Be Crushed”
Every classic car tells a story. But too many are silenced when scrapped vehicles are destroyed without a chance to salvage their legacy.
We’re calling on policymakers, ATFs, and fellow enthusiasts to support a new initiative: controlled public access to scrapped vehicles for restoration purposes.
Let’s turn waste into heritage. Let’s give restorers the tools they need. Let’s make sure Northern Ireland’s motoring past isn’t lost to the crusher.
🔧 Join the Movement
Sign our petition
Share your restoration stories
Contact your local MLA
Support ATFs that promote reuse
Every classic car tells a story. But too many are silenced when scrapped vehicles are destroyed without a chance to salvage their legacy.
We’re calling on policymakers, ATFs, and fellow enthusiasts to support a new initiative: controlled public access to scrapped vehicles for restoration purposes.
Let’s turn waste into heritage. Let’s give restorers the tools they need. Let’s make sure Northern Ireland’s motoring past isn’t lost to the crusher.
Power in Numbers
There’s currently no publicly available figure for the number of scrapped cars held in storage in Northern Ireland that are inaccessible to the public for spare parts. However, here’s what we do know:
🚗 Scrapped Vehicle Storage & Access in Northern Ireland
End-of-life vehicles must be processed at Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs), which are regulated to ensure safe disposal and de-pollution.
These ATFs are not required to offer public access to vehicles for parts, and many do not allow individuals to browse or purchase spares directly.
Vehicle manufacturers are responsible for ensuring an adequate network of ATFs, but this does not extend to public salvage rights.
There is no government scrappage scheme in place in Northern Ireland, and access to parts from scrapped vehicles is largely controlled by private operators.
🔧 Why This Matters for the Classic Car Community
Many classic car restorers rely on original parts from scrapped vehicles, especially for rare or discontinued models.
Lack of access to these vehicles can hinder restoration efforts and increase costs.
A representative body could campaign for controlled public access or partnerships with ATFs to salvage usable components before full destruction.
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Programs
There’s no official government-published figure for the total value of prohibited or restricted scrap car parts, but here’s what we can piece together from available sources and industry practices:
🚫 What Are “Prohibited” Scrap Parts?
These typically refer to components that:
Cannot be legally resold due to safety, environmental, or regulatory concerns.
Are restricted by DVLA or ATF (Authorised Treatment Facility) guidelines.
Include items like:Airbags (due to explosive risk)
Seatbelt systems
Certain electronic control units (ECUs)
Catalytic converters (often targeted for theft and tightly regulated)
Batteries (must be recycled properly due to hazardous materials)
💸 Estimated Value Impact
While exact figures are elusive, here’s what’s known:
Catalytic converters alone can fetch £100–£500 each, depending on metal content.
Airbags and ECUs, if resellable, may be worth £50–£300 per unit.
Batteries, when recycled, yield modest returns but are tightly regulated.
If we assume that 10–15% of a scrapped vehicle’s parts fall under restricted resale, and the average scrap car yields £300–£600 in parts, then £30–£90 per vehicle could be lost due to prohibition.
Multiply that by:
1.5 million vehicles scrapped annually in the UK, and you get a potential £45–£135 million in restricted-value parts.
📜 Legal and Tax Treatment
According to HMRC’s VAT Margin Scheme guidance:
Scrap parts can be sold under global accounting if properly documented.
Prohibited parts must be destroyed or recycled, not sold as new or reused in unsafe ways.
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Locations
While there’s no single published figure for Northern Ireland alone, the UK’s spare car parts industry—driven by scrap metal dealers and vehicle breakers—is estimated to be worth several billion pounds annually.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s known:
💰 Estimated Industry Value (UK-Wide)
The UK vehicle dismantling and salvage sector contributes significantly to the economy, with estimates placing its value at £3–5 billion per year.
This includes revenue from:Used OEM parts sales
Scrap metal recovery (ferrous and non-ferrous)
Salvage auctions
Export of dismantled components
📍 Northern Ireland Context
Northern Ireland has several major operators like T-Met, SCB Vehicle Dismantlers, and Ripley’s Autos, which handle thousands of vehicles annually.
These businesses generate income from:Reselling usable parts
Recycling metals
Supplying parts to trade and public (though often without direct public access)
While regional breakdowns aren’t publicly disclosed, Northern Ireland’s share is likely in the hundreds of millions, especially considering its active classic car and agricultural vehicle communities.
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