Motor Salvage Licence

Licence summary

Any person who carries out a business that involves the recovery of salvageable parts from a motor vehicle and the subsequent sale or disposal for scrap of the remainder of the vehicle, or the purchase of 'written off' vehicles for repair or resale, will need to be registered with South Somerset District Council.

The Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001 and the Motor Salvage Operators Regulations 2002 require salvage operators to register with the local authority. The aim of the act is to reduce vehicle crime by removing opportunities to dispose of stolen vehicles.

Eligibility criteria

You are considered a Motor Salvage Operator under the Act if you carry out business that consists of:

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;

b) Wholly or mainly in the purchase of written-off vehicles and their subsequent repair and re-sale;

c) 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); or

d) Wholly or mainly in activities falling within paragraphs (b) and (c)

Regulation summary

The Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001

Motor Salvage Operators Regulations 2002

Application evaluation process

There is a three year registration fee payable on application. 

Under the Act you have to:

Maintain appropriate records of all vehicle purchases and disposals

Carry out full identification checks of vendors and purchasers; and allow the police (and other investigators) the right of entry to the premises and the right of search.  A warrant is not required where the police require entry to a registered premise.

How to apply

You can apply online.

Apply online for a Motor Salvage Licence

Alternatively you can apply by completing the following:

• Motor Salvage Operator application form
• Motor Salvage Operator police enquiry form

Failed application redress

In the first instance please contact:

The Licensing Manager
Licensing Service
South Somerset District Council
The Council Offices
Brympton Way
Yeovil
Somerset
BA20 2HT

Telephone: 01935 462462

Contact the Licensing team online.

Any person who is refused a licence can appeal to the Magistrates court covering the area the premises is located within 21 days beginning with the day on which the person concerned is served with a refusal notice. A court may confirm, vary or reverse the local authority's decision and generally give directions as it considers appropriate.

The Magistrates Court
Petters Way
Yeovil
Somerset
BA20 1SW

Telephone: 01935 426281

Licence holder redress

In the first instance please contact:

The Licensing Manager
Licensing Service
South Somerset District Council
The Council Offices
Brympton Way
Yeovil
Somerset
BA20 2HT

Telephone: 01935 462462

Contact the Licensing team online.

Any licence holder who wishes to appeal against a condition attached to their licence can appeal to the local Magistrates' court. The appeal must be bought within 6 months of receiving written notification of the authority's decision.

The Magistrates Court
Petters Way
Yeovil
Somerset
BA20 1SW

Telephone: 01935 426281

Consumer complaint

Other redress

Please contact Avon and Somerset Constabulary

Trade associations

Public Register