One-for-One Scheme Ended: 5 Things to Check Before Scrapping
One-for-One ended on 31 March 2026. Who still qualifies under the one-off arrangement, the 3-month scrap-first rule, certificate requirements and what has not changed.
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BLOGScrap Car Guides: Process, Prices and Avoiding Scams
A car scrapping knowledge base from Pak Lam, a scrap car company in Tsuen Wan. Whether it is your first time, you want to know what your car is worth, you are worried about rogue dealers, or you need to scrap an EV or a truck, start here.
Key Points
8 things every car owner should know
Based on information published by the Transport Department and the Hong Kong Government. Follow the links for details.
- 1Scrapping means dismantlingThe scrap dealer dismantles the car and issues a vehicle dismantling certificate (commonly called lau che zhi, 劏車紙), which you need to cancel the registration. See the car scrapping FAQ.
- 2Cancel within 15 daysSubmit TD184 within 15 days of disposing of the vehicle; until you do, the registered owner remains legally responsible for it. See the scrap car process.
- 3Check the Business Registration numberThe Transport Department (TD) asks owners to confirm the dealer's Business Registration number is on the certificate. See how to avoid scams.
- 4Refunds need 60+ days of licence leftRefund = annual licence fee × 0.24% × days remaining. See the scrap car price guide.
- 5No fixed price listEach car is valued on type, model, condition and parts; compare the amount you actually receive. See our services.
- 6You should not pay firstThe dealer pays you; be wary of anyone asking for a deposit. See choosing a scrap car company.
- 7Never remove an EV battery yourselfRetired batteries are regulated under the Waste Disposal Ordinance and its chemical waste regulation. See the EV scrapping guide.
- 8One-for-One has endedThe private EV concession ended after 31 March 2026. See One-for-One scheme ended.
Quick Reference
Key figures at a glance
| Item | Details | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Deadline to cancel registration | Within 15 days of disposing of the vehicle | Scrap car process |
| Cancellation form | TD184 notice of cancellation of vehicle registration | Collection and after-scrapping steps |
| Keeping your number | TD129; held 12 months; HK$560 each time | Collection and after-scrapping steps |
| Refund threshold | At least 60 days of licence remaining | Price guide |
| Refund formula | Annual licence fee × 0.24% × days remaining | Price guide |
| One-for-One | Not continued after 31 March 2026 | One-for-One ended |
| First registration tax, electric commercial vehicles | Fully waived until 31 March 2028 | Truck scrapping guide |
| Electric private cars | 178,574, or 27.5% of private cars (end of August 2026) | EV scrapping guide |
Reading Path
First time? Read in these 5 steps
Reading in order, from the big picture to handover, helps you avoid most common mistakes.
The big picture
How high-price car scrapping works and what to watch for. Read the complete guide →
Prices
How quotes and licence refunds are worked out, and how to get more. Read the price guide →
Choose a company
What to check, how to verify, how to compare quotes. Read how to choose →
Avoid rogue dealers
Common tricks, how to respond, what to do if you are cheated. Read the scam guide →
Complete the handover
From quote and towing to payment and cancellation. Read the process →
By Situation
Which situation are you in?
| Your situation | Read first |
|---|---|
| I want to know what my car is worth | Price guide, Services |
| My licence expires soon and I want the refund | Price guide (refund timing) |
| Repair or scrap? | Price guide (repair or scrap) |
| Which company should I use? | Choosing a scrap car company, Professional scrapping service |
| I think I have met a rogue dealer | Avoiding scrap car scams |
| My car will not start, crashed or flooded | Door-to-door scrapping, Services |
| Scrapping an EV or hybrid | EV scrapping guide |
| Company trucks or vans | Truck scrapping guide |
| How does the end of One-for-One affect me? | One-for-One scheme ended |
| I want to keep my registration number | Collection and after-scrapping steps |
| I live in the western New Territories | Tsuen Wan and New Territories, Contact us |
| I just want quick answers | Car scrapping FAQ |
Topics
6 topics
1. Process and paperwork
Dismantling certificate, TD184 cancellation, TD129 number retention, documents and timeline.
2. Quotes and prices
What affects quotes, net amount received, licence refunds and getting a better price.
3. Choosing a company
Criteria, verification, comparison and enquiry templates.
4. Avoiding scams
Rogue dealer tricks, document fraud, impersonation and where to get help.
5. EVs and trucks
Battery rules, high-voltage safety, personal data; truck tonnage and special equipment.
6. One-for-One and policy
The scheme's history, what happens after it ended, the one-off arrangement and commercial EV waivers.
Glossary
Common Hong Kong scrapping terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 劏車 (lau che) | Local term for car scrapping / vehicle dismantling |
| Scrap car company | A recycler that buys and dismantles vehicles and issues the dismantling certificate |
| 劏車紙 (lau che zhi) | Vehicle dismantling certificate, needed to cancel the registration |
| 牌簿 | Vehicle registration document |
| TD184 | Notice of cancellation of vehicle registration |
| TD129 | Application for transfer or retention of vehicle registration mark |
| Licence fee refund | Unused licence fee refunded by the TD under the regulations |
| Net amount | What you actually receive after all deductions |
| On-site price cut | Cutting the price sharply on arrival for various reasons |
| 劏上劏 | A middleman collects the car and passes it to another yard |
| One-for-One | A higher first registration tax concession for electric private cars; ended after 31 March 2026 |
| Retired battery | An EV traction battery no longer used in a vehicle |
All guides
All scrap car guides
Articles marked "2026 update" reflect the latest Transport Department and government announcements. Some older articles mention the One-for-One scheme, which ended after expiring on 31 March 2026; please rely on the latest information.
Door-to-door car scrapping: from quote to certificate in 3 steps
WhatsApp quote, on-site handover and payment, the dismantling certificate, plus a 30-day checklist for deregistration, refunds, insurance and parking.
Read more →
Truck scrapping guide: 5.5- to 30-tonne lorries
Quote factors, special bodies, company documents, Euro IV ex-gratia deadlines and fleet handover.
Read more →
Car Scrapping FAQ: Prices, Documents, Certificates and Refunds
Do you pay to scrap a car, which documents you need, how to check the certificate, the 15-day deadline and licence refunds.
Read more →
Tsuen Wan & New Territories car scrapping guide
Own scrapyard in Tsuen Wan, response times for all 18 districts, parking situations, routes and deregistration.
Read more →
Hong Kong Car Scrapping Guide: Getting the Best Price
How to get quotes, compare net amounts, price factors by vehicle type, handover and cancelling registration.
Read more →
Electric Vehicle Scrapping: Prices, Batteries, Safety and Paperwork
Retired EV battery rules, high-voltage safety, clearing personal data, flooded or crashed EVs and the one-off arrangement after one-for-one.
Read more →
Scrap Car Price Guide: Quotes, Repair vs Scrap and Licence Refunds
7 price factors, licence refund table, repair vs scrap framework, quoting traps and tips.
Read more →
How to Spot Rogue Scrap Car Operators in Hong Kong
A 30-second self-test, 22 red flags, 18 tactics, certificate checks, written templates and seven steps if you have been scammed.
Read more →
How to Choose a Scrap Car Company in Hong Kong
A 10-point checklist, verification steps, collection options, handover timeline and 7 certificate checks.
Read more →Professional car scrapping service guide
Scrap vs resale, quote factors, net payout, towing, payment, dismantling certificate and deregistration.
Read more →
FAQ
About these guides: FAQ
For prices, documents, registration cancellation, refunds and keeping your number, see our car scrapping FAQ.
I am scrapping a car for the first time. What should I read first?
Read in order: the complete car scrapping guide for the big picture, the price guide for quotes and licence refunds, then how to choose a scrap car company and how to avoid scams, and finally the scrap car process and door-to-door collection guide as needed.
Where does the information in these guides come from?
Government procedures and policy are based on the Transport Department, the Environmental Protection Department, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department and Hong Kong Government press releases, and are updated as new information is published.
What does "2026 update" on an article mean?
Articles marked "2026 update" have been revised in line with the latest Transport Department and government announcements.
Older articles mention One-for-One. Is that still relevant?
The One-for-One scheme ended after expiring on 31 March 2026, so rely on the latest information. For the one-off arrangement after it ended, see our article on the end of the One-for-One scheme.
How do I get a quote for my own car?
WhatsApp photos of your car and its registration details to 6799 5101; we usually reply within minutes.
About the Author
Written by Pak Lam, Tsuen Wan
Pak Lam Car Scrapping was founded in 2011. Our yard is at Chuen Lung Village, Route Twisk, Tsuen Wan (opposite Choi Lung Restaurant), and our own tow trucks cover all 18 districts. Government procedures and policy in these guides are based on the Transport Department, the Environmental Protection Department, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department and Hong Kong Government press releases.
- Free quotes, inspection and towing
- Free registration cancellation handling since 1 January 2025
- Payment on the spot; certificates show our Business Registration number
- Private cars, vans, 5.5- to 30-tonne trucks, EVs and broken-down cars
More: About us | Services | Contact us
Ready for a quote? WhatsApp us for free
Send photos and registration details to 6799 5101 and we usually reply within minutes.