Motor Salvage Operators Licence

Why do I need to register?

A Person is required to be registered as a motor salvage operator if he carries on a business, which consists –

i) wholly or partly in the recovery for re-use or sale of salvageable parts from motor vehicles and the subsequent sale or other disposal for scrap of the remainder of the vehicles concerned
ii) wholly or mainly in the purpose of written-off vehicles and their subsequent repair or re-sale
iii) wholly or mainly in the sale or purchase of motor vehicles which are to be the subject (whether immediately or on a subsequent re-sale) of any of the activities mentioned in paragraphs i) or ii) or iv) wholly or mainly in activities falling within paragraphs ii) or iii)

What legislation applies?

Motor Salvage Operators Regulations 2002 - Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001

How will my application will be determined?

On receiving an application to be registered as a motor salvage operator, the authority must satisfy itself that the applicant is a fit and proper person to carry on such business. In deciding whether they are so satisfied the Local Authority shall have regard to -

Whether the applicant has been convicted of any offences under the Vehicle Crimes Act 2001 and
Whether the applicant has been convicted of any offences of a description specified by the Secretary of State by order.

Specified Offences

Any unspent convictions for the following offences -

theft or attempted theft of or from a motor vehicles, contrary to Section 1 of the Theft Act 1968
taking a motor vehicle without consent, contrary to Section 12 of the Theft Act 1968
aggravated vehicle taking, contrary to Section 12A of the Theft Act 1968
handling of stolen goods, contrary to Section 22 of the Theft Act 1968
going equipped to steal or take a motor vehicle, contrary to Section 25 of the Theft Act 1968
interference with a motor vehicle, contrary to Section 9 of the Criminal Attempts Act 1981
tampering with a motor vehicle, contrary to Section 25 of the Road Traffic Act 1988
convictions for offences under Part 1 of the Vehicle Crimes Act 2001

And also any case of undischarged bankruptcy of the applicant or any directors or partners of the applicant business

How much will it cost?

Please see our licensing fees page.

How do I apply?

Application to register as a motor salvage operator

Application to change a registration as motor salvage operator

Do I need to provide further information or evidence?

A Data Subject Access Document from the Police (please submit with your application form in a sealed envelope marked ‘Private & Confidential’)

An identification document i.e. Driving Licence, Passport.

How long will it take to process my application?

We will endeavour to process your application within 20 working days. If acknowledgement of receipt of your application has not been received within this time, please contact us.

Will tacit consent apply?

Yes. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the local authority by the end of the target completion period.