The biggest advantage of door-to-door car scrapping is that you never have to drive your old car to the scrapyard – broken-down and non-running vehicles can simply be towed away. However, the legal paperwork is exactly the same whether we collect the car or you drive it in. From preparing before the visit, to checking the car and getting paid on the day, to cancelling the registration within 15 days of receiving the vehicle dismantling certificate, commonly called lau che zhi (劏車紙), and tidying up insurance, parking and accounts over the following 30 days, every step needs the owner's attention. This guide covers what to do before, during and after scrapping your car in Hong Kong.
Key takeaway: Door-to-door car scrapping takes 3 steps: send photos on WhatsApp for a quote and book a time; the scrap car company inspects the car on site, pays you on the spot and tows it away; you receive the dismantling certificate and submit form TD184 to cancel the registration within 15 days of dismantling. You then still need to handle the licence refund, plate retention, insurance and parking accounts.
At a glance: door-to-door car scrapping in 3 steps
| Step | What happens | What the owner does |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1: Quote and booking | Send photos on WhatsApp, confirm the quote terms, book a time | Provide clear photos and an honest description; notify the car park management |
| Step 2: On-site handover | Car is inspected, paid for on the spot and towed away | Empty the car; get paid at the moment of handover |
| Step 3: Certificate and deregistration | Receive the dismantling certificate; submit TD184 within 15 days | Check the certificate; deregister yourself or authorise the company to do it |
| The next 30 days | Licence refund, plate retention, insurance, parking and accounts | Work through the checklist below |
1. Why choose door-to-door car scrapping?
- Any condition: dead, accident-damaged or long-parked cars can all be towed.
- No risky last drive: you avoid taking an unroadworthy car onto the road.
- Saves time: hand over at your estate or office car park instead of taking leave.
- One visit: inspection, payment and towing happen together.
Our service steps, directions to our Tsuen Wan yard and a comparison of collection vs. drop-off are on the scrap car process page. This guide focuses on what you, the owner, need to check.
2. Before the visit: documents, timing and costs
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Vehicle registration document (original) | Required for deregistration; if lost, ask the scrap car company first |
| Vehicle licence (original, if still valid) | Must be returned to claim a licence fee refund |
| Registered owner's identity document | HKID card; passport for non-residents; Certificate of Incorporation for limited companies |
| If someone acts for you | Copy of the registered owner's ID plus the agent's original HKID |
| Personalised plate allocation certificate (original) | Only for personalised registration marks |
| All car keys | Still needed for non-running cars, e.g. to unlock the steering and select neutral |
- Check the licence expiry: a refund is only payable if at least 60 days of the licence remain, so book early.
- Decide on keeping your plate: form TD129 must be submitted together with the deregistration.
- Check your insurance policy: whether unused premium is refundable depends on the policy.
- Accident car with a claim? Settle it with your insurer before scrapping – once dismantled, the car cannot be inspected.
- Outstanding loan or hire purchase: confirm settlement and release with the finance company first.
- Don't strip parts yourself: missing engine, gearbox, battery, catalytic converter or tyres lowers the quote. Never remove an EV's high-voltage battery.
3. Step 1: WhatsApp quote and booking
Send photos of all four sides, close-ups of any damage, the odometer, the registration document (or plate number), a start-up video if possible, whether it runs or has been flooded, the exact location and parking environment, and the licence expiry date. Then ask:
- How much, based on what condition, and how long is the quote valid?
- Are there towing, deregistration or document fees – or any other charges?
- How soon can you come?
- Do you pay on the spot – cash or bank transfer?
- Will the certificate show your Business Registration number?
- Who handles deregistration, and by when?
Keep every reply in the WhatsApp chat as a record. For how quotes are worked out, see our scrap car price guide.
4. Step 2: On-site handover
On arrival the company checks that the plate and chassis number match the registration document, that the owner's ID matches, and that the condition and major parts match your photos. If they do, the price should not change; if the buyer slashes the price without a good reason, you can refuse. See how to avoid scrap car scams.
- Get paid as you hand over: only let the car go once cash is counted or the transfer has arrived and the payee name matches the company.
- Receipt: company name, date, plate number, amount and payment method.
- Never pay first: the scrap car company pays you; be wary of any deposit or booking fee.
- Before towing: check once more for belongings and photograph the car.
Handover day timeline
| When | What happens | Owner checks |
|---|---|---|
| Day before | Empty the car; notify management; prepare documents | Octopus, parking cards and dashcam removed |
| Before departure | Company calls to confirm arrival time | Location and car park access |
| On arrival | Plate, chassis number and condition checked | Matches earlier photos |
| Payment | Cash or transfer at the quoted price | No extra charges; receipt |
| Documents | Certificate handed over or issue time agreed | BR number, plate, chassis number, dismantling date |
| Within 15 days of dismantling | TD184 submitted (by you or the company) | Confirm it is done |
5. Eight parking situations
| Situation | Tips |
|---|---|
| Residential estate car park | Notify management; check towing hours and height limit; some estates require the resident to be present or to register |
| Commercial car park | Arrange tow access; settle parking fees first; cancel any monthly space |
| Basement car park | Mention the low headroom when asking for a quote; agree a ground-level meeting point as signal may be weak |
| Roadside | Make sure the tow truck can stop legally; avoid peak hours; give landmarks and street numbers |
| Garage or workshop | Settle repair or storage fees; confirm the garage agrees; mention any parts already removed |
| Dead, broken-down or accident car | Explain why it won't start and where it is damaged; keys still needed; check with your insurer first |
| Electric or hybrid car | Mention battery warnings and damage; wipe the infotainment and remove the car from the brand app; don't charge or start after flooding or impact. See electric vehicle scrapping |
| Company fleet | Quote each vehicle separately; tow together or in batches; prepare the Certificate of Incorporation; one certificate and one TD184 per vehicle. Tail lifts, cranes and refrigeration units may add value – see truck scrapping |
6. Empty-the-car and personal data checklist
- Under seats, door pockets, cup holders, sun visors, glovebox and boot (including the spare wheel well)
- Dashcam and memory card, phone holder, charging cables, child seat
- Octopus card, parking cards and car park access cards
- Infotainment: delete contacts, call logs, Bluetooth pairings and saved home/work addresses
- EVs: charging cable; remove the car from the brand app and remote functions; close charging accounts and auto-payments
Tip: record a short video of the empty interior. If you forgot to wipe data or close accounts, doing it after handover is still worthwhile.
7. Step 3: Certificate and deregistration within 15 days
The vehicle dismantling certificate is issued by the scrap car company that dismantles the car – not by the Transport Department (TD) or the Environmental Protection Department (EPD). The TD reminds owners to make sure the company's Business Registration number is shown on the certificate.
| Check on the certificate | Used for |
|---|---|
| Business Registration number and company name | TD184; confirming it is the company you dealt with |
| Plate and chassis numbers | TD184, TD129 |
| Dismantling date | Start of the 15-day deadline; refund days count from the next day |
| Dismantling location | Should be the scrapyard address |
| Signature and company chop | Validity of the document |
Ask for corrections on the spot, and photograph the certificate immediately – the original goes to the TD. If it is lost later, ask the issuing company for a replacement or copy.
Under regulation 20 of the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374E), the registered owner must notify the Commissioner for Transport in writing within 15 days of the vehicle being dismantled. If you don't, you remain liable for anything arising from that vehicle. The 15 days run from the dismantling date, not from when you receive the certificate.
Documents: registration document, valid licence (if any), dismantling certificate, owner's ID (or copy plus agent's HKID), personalised plate certificate (if any), completed TD184 and, to keep your plate, TD129. Submit in person or by post to a TD Licensing Office, or authorise someone. Deregistration itself is free of charge.
| Licensing Office | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | 3/F, United Centre, 95 Queensway, Admiralty | 2804 2636 |
| Kowloon | 2/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road | 2150 7728 |
| Kwun Tong | 5/F, Kowloon East Government Offices, 12 Lei Yue Mun Road | 2775 6835 |
| Sha Tin | 2/F, Sha Tin Government Offices, 1 Sheung Wo Che Road | 2606 1468 |
8. The 30 days after handover
| When | To do | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Day 0 | Check and photograph the certificate; get a receipt; confirm who submits TD184 and when | Scrap car company |
| Day 0–3 | Tell your insurer; ask about premium refund and No Claims Discount (NCB) | Insurer |
| Day 0–3 | Update or cancel HKeToll vehicle tags, car park passes, auto-payments and parking apps | Operators |
| Day 0–7 | Give notice on a monthly parking space (often 1 month); EVs: remove from brand app, close charging accounts | Landlord / app providers |
| Day 0–14 | Submit TD184 (plus TD129 if keeping the plate) | TD Licensing Office |
| Day 14–30 | Confirm the car is no longer registered to you | TD |
| Within 12 months | Assign a retained plate to another car in your own name | TD |
Licence fee refund
Refund = annual licence fee × 0.24% × remaining days; nothing is refunded if fewer than 60 days remain. Return the licence within 15 days of the dismantling date and the remaining days count from the day after. No separate refund form is needed: after deregistration the TD arranges the refund and the Treasury notifies you to collect it. Keep your correspondence address up to date, especially if you are emigrating. Example with an assumed $5,000 annual fee: 300 days left = $3,600; 180 days = $2,160; 60 days = $720; 59 days = $0.
Keeping your registration mark
Submit TD129 with the deregistration; the mark is kept for 12 months and the TD charges $560 per mark each time. It must be assigned to another vehicle registered in your own name within that period, otherwise the TD may cancel the allocation without notice.
Insurance, parking and accounts
Insurers do not refund automatically – notify them with a copy of the certificate, ask about any refund and whether your NCB can be carried to a new car (usually time-limited). Terminate monthly parking in writing, and remove the old plate from toll tags, car park auto-payments, parking and meter apps, and company fuel cards or fleet systems.
Confirming deregistration
Check the vehicles under your name through the TD's online licensing service (牌證易), or call the TD general enquiry hotline 2804 2600. If a company handles it for you, ask for proof of submission and check yourself after 15 days. Unpaid tickets from before deregistration remain your responsibility. Under the new rules for long-unlicensed vehicles (from 22 December 2025), scrapping and submitting TD184 within three months of receiving the TD's notice satisfies the requirement.
One-off arrangement owners (One-for-One scheme)
The electric private car One-for-One scheme ended after 31 March 2026. Only buyers who ordered an EV on or before 25 February 2026 under the one-off arrangement have extra steps: the old car must be deregistered no later than, and within 3 months of, the new car's first registration application; the dealer submits form TD628 (about 10 working days); and the new car must be first registered by 24 February 2027 or within 5 working days of approval, whichever is later. See One-for-One scheme ended.
9. Weather and special cases
- Rain: usually fine, subject to towing safety. Typhoon signal or black rainstorm: reschedule.
- Owner unavailable: a family member or colleague can hand over with the agent documents.
- Lost registration document, locked car without keys: tell the company when asking for a quote.
- Expired licence: can still be scrapped, but you remain liable until deregistration; no refund applies.
- Flooded car: wiring may be damaged; the quote is based on recoverable parts.
10. Response times across Hong Kong
| Region | Typical time |
|---|---|
| New Territories (Tsuen Wan, Kwai Tsing, Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, North, Tai Po, Sha Tin, Sai Kung) | Within 24 hours |
| Kowloon | Within 24 hours |
| Hong Kong Island | 24–48 hours |
| Outlying islands (Lantau, Cheung Chau, etc.) | 48–72 hours; book 48 hours ahead |
More on Tsuen Wan and New Territories car scrapping.
11. Common traps and myths
| Trap or myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| Big price cut on arrival | Compare with the WhatsApp quote and photos; you can refuse |
| Towing fee mentioned only at handover | Confirm all charges in writing beforehand |
| Pay after the car is towed | Payment should happen at handover |
| "We'll post the certificate later", then silence | Agree an issue date; the 15-day clock is running |
| The company deregisters automatically | It is the owner's legal duty; get proof if you delegate |
| Phone number only, no address | Hard to pursue in a dispute; ask where the car is dismantled |
| Scrapping can be undone | Not after dismantling and deregistration – but you can stop before handover |
12. Pak Lam's door-to-door service
- WhatsApp 6799 5101 with photos; replies usually within minutes. "The price we quote by phone is the price we pay on site"; quotes valid 7 days if the condition matches.
- Free quote, inspection and towing across all 18 districts with our own tow trucks. Free deregistration service since 1 January 2025; no agency fee for TD129 (TD's $560 fee applies).
- Full payment by cash or transfer at handover, with a receipt; certificate shows our Business Registration number.
- We take private cars, MPVs, vans, 5.5- to 30-tonne trucks, EVs and broken-down cars.
- Open daily 09:00–20:00 (public holidays 09:00–18:00); 24-hour emergency towing by appointment. Yard: Chuen Lung Village, Route Twisk, Tsuen Wan.
13. FAQ
For general questions on documents, refunds and certificates, see our car scrapping FAQ.
Is there a towing fee for door-to-door car scrapping?
It depends on the company, so confirm towing, agency and other fees in writing on WhatsApp. Pak Lam's quote, inspection and towing are free.
Can you collect a car that won't start?
Yes. Dead, accident-damaged and long-parked cars can usually be towed. Tell us it won't start, where it is (e.g. basement or roadside) and any damage; the keys are still needed.
My car is in a basement or commercial car park – what should I arrange?
Notify management and check towing hours, route and height limit; settle parking fees and cancel any monthly space; agree a ground-level meeting point as signal may be weak.
When should I get paid?
At the moment of handover. Count cash in person or confirm the transfer has arrived and the payee matches the company before the car leaves, and ask for a receipt.
How quickly can you come?
With documents ready and easy access, same-day handover is possible. Pak Lam typically reaches the New Territories and Kowloon within 24 hours, Hong Kong Island in 24–48 hours and outlying islands in 48–72 hours with advance booking.
If the scrap car company deregisters for me, what else do I need to do?
Confirm when it will be submitted, ask for proof, and check your registration status yourself after 15 days. Until deregistration is complete, legal liability stays with the registered owner.
What about my parking space and toll account after scrapping?
Give written notice on monthly parking under your contract, and update or cancel toll tags, car park passes, auto-payments and parking apps linked to the old plate.
I lost the dismantling certificate after handover – what now?
Ask the issuing company for a replacement or copy. To avoid this, photograph it at handover and keep copies of the certificate, receipt and proof of submission.
Disclaimer: Based on TD guidance and Cap. 374E as of October 2026. Policies and fees may change – check the TD's latest announcements. Insurance, parking and account matters follow the relevant providers' terms. Response times are typical only, and quotes depend on each car's condition.