What to Expect at a UK Scrap Yard – A First-Timer's Guide
Published 20 January 2025
Never been to a scrap yard before? Here's what typically happens when you arrive and how to make sure you get a fair deal.
If you're taking metal to a scrap yard for the first time, knowing what to expect makes the whole process much easier. Here's a straightforward guide.
What you'll need
Most UK scrap yards now require photo ID under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013. A driving licence or passport is fine. You'll also need to give your name, address, and vehicle registration.
What happens when you arrive
1. **Weigh in** — drive onto the weighbridge with your load
2. **Unload** — tip or unload your metal in the yard
3. **Sorting** — the yard may sort through your load or accept your own sorting
4. **Weigh out** — weigh the empty vehicle
5. **Payment** — receive payment by bank transfer (cash payments are no longer legal)
Tips for getting a fair deal
- Call ahead to confirm prices — they change daily
- Weigh items at home first if you can
- Get a few quotes from different yards if you have a large load
- Ask how each metal is being priced
- Sort your metals before arriving