New data from Scrap Car Comparison has revealed that the demand for car scrapping in Aberdeen has increased by around 35% between 2023 and the end of 2024.
Across 87 towns and cities in the UK, enquiries from people looking to scrap their cars have increased by 13% on average over the past year, though there are some locations where more people are looking to ditch their motors.
Sheffield tops the list, with a 44% increase in demand for quotes over the last year – the city implemented its Clean Air Zone (CAZ) in 2023, so experts feel that drivers have likely been re-evaluating their vehicle usage as the impact of these charges became clearer.
Similar applies for Aberdeen, which saw the fifth highest increase in quotes, with a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) coming into force in the area in June last year.
However, with the cost of living resulting in many people feeling the squeeze on their personal finances, it may simply be that the cost of repairing older vehicles is simply becoming unsustainable – which may be the case with cities such as Sunderland, Burton-On-Trent and Loughborough which also place in the top five.
Scrapping a vehicle can be a way to eliminate these expenses, and provide some immediate relief due to the money that is gained through scrapping.
Where has demand for car scrapping increased the most?
| Rank | Town | Change in Quotes (2023-2024) |
| 1 | Sheffield | 44% |
| 2 | Sunderland | 37% |
| 3 | Burton-On-Trent | 37% |
| 4 | Loughborough | 36% |
| 5 | Aberdeen | 35% |
| 6 | Blackburn | 32% |
| 7 | Huddersfield | 32% |
| 8 | Warrington | 31% |
| 9 | Blackpool | 31% |
| 10 | Leicester | 30% |
Matt Clamp, Customer Service Manager from Scrap Car Comparison commented: “There has clearly been an increase in demand for scrap quotes across the country over the past year, as people are seeing the cost of driving continue to rise, and LEZ and CAZ restrictions in some areas, such as Sheffield, are adding to these figures further.
“Where a driver has a non-compliant vehicle, these costs can quickly stack up, meaning that their vehicle becomes too expensive to run. Similarly, the value of their vehicle in their area will also have dropped, meaning that scrapping is often the most sensible and convenient decision for many owners. The cost of repairing vehicles is also more expensive than ever, so for those with older vehicles, it can become stressful and no longer financially viable to keep their vehicles on the road.
“For those looking to scrap their vehicle, be sure to head to our website and use our online tool to find the best prices possible.”
