Motor Salvage Operators

A local authority registration is needed for every person carrying on a business as a motor salvage operator, in that district.

We are responsible for keeping a register of "Motor Salvage Operators" carrying on a business our area.  Working with the police we try to make it much harder for criminals to dispose of stolen vehicles and to increase the chance of their detection if they do so.  The business has to keep detailed records, so that police can trace what they bought, and who from, and who they sold it to.

Any person carrying on a business as a motor salvage operator has to register - it is an offence for failing to do so.  This means registration is needed for any person who carries on a business which consists -

1. 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;
2. Wholly or mainly in the purchase of written-off vehicles and their subsequent repair and re-sale;
3. 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 (A) or (B) above; or
4. Wholly or mainly in activities falling within (B) and (C) above.

At any reasonable time a constable may enter and inspect registered premises and inspect vehicles or salvageable parts and may inspect and take copies of records.

We charge a fee to register motor salvage operators, see our current fees and charges.

We have to grant registrations if we are satisfied that the applicant is a fit and proper person. We can cancel registrations if we find out that a person is no longer "fit and proper."

Any person who carries on business as a motor salvage operator in the area of a local authority without being registered for that area by the authority shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

For the purposes of this Part a person carries on business as a motor salvage operator if he carries on a business which consists: (a) 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; or (b) wholly or mainly in the purchase of written-off vehicles and their subsequent repair and re-sale.

A registration lasts for three years.  We may cancel a registration if we are satisfied that a person is no longer a fit and proper person to carry on business as a motor salvage operator, or it we are satisfied that a person is not carrynig on business as a motor salvage operator in our area and has not, while registered, been doing so for at least 28 days.

The register of motor salvage operators can be inspected at our office in Pershore during working hours.

Vehicle (Crime) Act 2001

Applicants are required to prove their identity at this office and to submit to a check by West Mercia Police, of their criminal record.  The Police will decide if any offences are relevant. 

No. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before your details can be registered. If you have not heard from us within a reasonable period, please contact us, using the contact details below.

Online application facilities are available through the national "Business Link" portal

1. Apply online through the national business link portal to register as a motor salvage operator
2. Apply online to change a registration as motor salvage operator

Please contact us, in the first instance.

Please phone or email us if you want to check that a motor salvage operator is genuine.

We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

If you are suffering noise or nuisance due to the activities of a motor salvage operator, please contact Worcestershire Regulatory Services on 01684 862151.

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