Area guide · Northamptonshire
How to scrap a car in Northamptonshire
Since April 2021 Northamptonshire has been run by two unitary councils, North and West. Knowing which one covers your address helps with permits and abandoned vehicle reports; the scrapping itself is the same everywhere.
The old county and district councils were replaced in 2021. West Northamptonshire Council now covers Northampton, Daventry, Towcester, Brackley and the villages around them; North Northamptonshire Council covers Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough, Rushden and the east of the county.
The M1 runs down the west side past Northampton, the A14 crosses the north through Kettering towards Cambridge, and the A43 links Northampton with Kettering and Corby in one direction and Towcester and Brackley in the other.
Motorsport country
Silverstone circuit sits on the border with Buckinghamshire, and the area around it is home to many motorsport businesses. It is a reminder that some cars here are worth more as projects or donor cars than as scrap, and an honest valuation will reflect that.
Collection in the county’s villages
Northamptonshire has a great many villages of golden ironstone, often with narrow main streets and tight junctions. A recovery driver can manage most of them easily, but a quick note about parking, gates or a shared drive keeps collection day smooth.
Northamptonshire at a glance
- Councils
- North Northamptonshire Council, West Northamptonshire Council
- Main roads
- M1 (J15 to J18), A14, A43, A45, A5, A6, A508
- Clean air rules
- No clean air zone in Northamptonshire charges private cars.
- Postcode areas
- NN, MK, PE, LE
Local guides
Towns and villages in Northamptonshire
Each local guide covers the council, the roads and anything particular about scrapping a car there.
Also covering
- Oundle
- Raunds
- Thrapston
- Desborough
- Rothwell
- Burton Latimer
- Higham Ferrers
- Irthlingborough
- Long Buckby
- Earls Barton
- Silverstone
Questions
Scrapping a car in Northamptonshire
Short, straight answers. The guides go into more depth.
My address used to be in Daventry District. Which council is it now?
West Northamptonshire Council, which took over from Daventry District Council in April 2021.
Is collection free in rural Northamptonshire?
Yes, collection is free wherever the car is.
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 Northamptonshire
Start with the registration and postcode. A licensed buyer covering your area comes back with an offer, and collection is free.