Area guide · East Midlands
How to scrap a car in the East Midlands
The East Midlands spans the Peak District edge, the Trent valley, the Leicestershire wolds and the flat lands of Lincolnshire. It is a region of market towns and long rural distances, where a car is rarely optional.
Most of the region is run on two tiers, with county councils for Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire and district councils beneath them. Derby, Leicester and Nottingham are unitary cities, and Rutland, England’s smallest historic county, is a unitary council of its own.
The M1 runs north to south through the middle of the region. The A1 follows its eastern edge past Newark and Grantham, and the A46 cuts diagonally from Leicester through Newark to Lincoln. Many towns sit some distance from these roads, which is where free collection is most useful.
No charging zones
Derby and Nottingham were both told to tackle roadside air pollution, but neither introduced a charging clean air zone for private cars. Older cars in the East Midlands therefore face no daily charges, and the decision to scrap comes down to condition and running costs.
Long distances and rural roads
Lincolnshire in particular is large and sparsely populated, with long straight roads across farmland. A car that has stopped at the end of a farm track or in a field gateway can still be collected; a clear description of the location, and a what3words or a landmark, helps a great deal.
the East Midlands at a glance
- Councils
- Derbyshire County Council, Leicestershire County Council, Lincolnshire County Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Rutland County Council, Derby, Leicester and Nottingham city councils
- Main roads
- M1, A1, A46, A38, A50, A52, A6, M69
- Clean air rules
- No clean air zone in the East Midlands charges private cars.
- Postcode areas
- DE, LE, LN, NG, PE, S
Local guides
Towns and villages in the East Midlands
Each local guide covers the council, the roads and anything particular about scrapping a car there.
Also covering
- Long Eaton
- Ripley
- Belper
- Melton Mowbray
- Coalville
- Oakham
- Sleaford
- Boston
- Worksop
- Retford
- Lutterworth
- Swadlincote
Questions
Scrapping a car in the East Midlands
Short, straight answers. The guides go into more depth.
Is there a clean air zone in Nottingham or Derby?
Not one that charges private cars. Both cities chose other measures to reduce pollution.
Which council covers Rutland?
Rutland County Council, a unitary authority based in Oakham.
Who tells the DVLA that the car has been scrapped?
You should. Use the DVLA's online service with the 11-digit reference from your logbook, or send the yellow section by post. Without that step the car stays linked to you, and the DVLA can fine you up to £1,000.
Does collection cost anything?
Nothing. The recovery truck comes free of charge, and turning the offer down costs nothing either.
Scrap your car in the East Midlands
Start with the registration and postcode. A licensed buyer covering your area comes back with an offer, and collection is free.