Home › Car Scrapping Process
PROCESSHow to Scrap Your Car in Hong Kong: 5 Steps
From a WhatsApp quote to cancelling your registration, every step on one page. With documents ready and a free slot, handover can be the same day. Free towing, payment on the spot and Transport Department paperwork with no handling fee.
8 things to know before you scrap your car
Based on Transport Department (TD) guidance and the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations (Cap. 374E).
Key takeaway: Scrapping a car with Pak Lam takes 5 steps: WhatsApp quote, confirm the price, book collection, hand over and get paid, then receive the vehicle dismantling certificate, commonly called lau che zhi (劏車紙), and deregister. Owners must submit TD184 to the TD within 15 days of dismantling; we can do it with no handling fee.
- 1You usually do not payThe scrap company pays you for the parts and metal.
- 2No fixed price listEach car is priced on type, model, condition and parts.
- 3Get paid at handoverCount the cash or confirm the transfer before the car is towed.
- 4The scrap company issues the certificateIt must show the company's Business Registration number.
- 5Deregister within 15 daysSubmit TD184 within 15 days of dismantling (Cap. 374E, section 20).
- 6Liability stays until deregisteredThe registered owner remains liable for the vehicle.
- 7Refund only with 60+ days leftAnnual licence fee × 0.24% × days remaining.
- 8You can keep your plateTD129, kept for 12 months, TD fee HK$560 each time.
Our 5-step car scrapping process
Clear and transparent, with no last-minute price cuts or hidden fees. Free towing, payment on the spot and TD paperwork handled.
WhatsApp quote
Send photos and registration details; we usually reply within minutes
Confirm the price
Agree the conditions and validity; if the car matches, that is the price
Book collection
Pick a time; New Territories and Kowloon usually within 24 hours
Handover
Condition checked, cash or transfer on the spot; broken cars towed free
Certificate and deregistration
Check the certificate and submit TD184 within 15 days, or let us do it
What to do and check at each step
Step 1: WhatsApp quote
WhatsApp 6799 5101 with the details below. The more complete, the more accurate the quote:
| Information | Why |
|---|---|
| Front, rear and side photos, plus close-ups of damage | Overall condition and damage |
| Odometer photo | Mileage |
| Registration document photo or plate number | Model, year, weight |
| Engine start video (if possible) | Shows the engine runs |
| Starts or not, crash or flood damage | Affects price and towing |
| Location and parking (estate, basement, roadside, garage) | To plan the tow truck |
| Licence expiry date | Refund and timing |
Step 2: Confirm the price
Confirm these 5 points and keep the WhatsApp record:
- Which condition the quote assumes (starts, parts complete)
- Validity: 7 days with us, provided the condition matches
- Any towing, handling or other charges
- Payment: cash or transfer
- The certificate will show the company's Business Registration number
How prices are worked out: scrap car price guide.
Step 3: Book collection
- Agree the time and exact location
- Estate or commercial car park: tell management and check access times and height limits
- Basement or garage: describe the location so we send the right truck
- Licence expiring soon: book early to stay above the 60-day refund threshold
More on collection from different locations: door-to-door car scrapping process.
Step 4: Handover
- Check plate and chassis number match the registration document
- Check the condition matches the photos
- Remove all personal belongings
- Get paid in cash or by transfer, confirm receipt, ask for a receipt
- Take photos, then the car is towed to our yard for dismantling
Step 5: Certificate and deregistration
- Check the certificate: Business Registration number, company name, plate, chassis number, date and place of dismantling, signature and chop
- Within 15 days of dismantling, submit or post TD184 and documents to a TD Licensing Office
- To keep your plate, submit TD129 at the same time
- Return a valid licence to claim a refund
- Let us handle it: no handling fee since 1 January 2025
Decide and prepare
Scrap, repair or sell?
- Repairs near or above the car's value → scrap
- Crash, flood or long-parked and won't start → scrap
- Good condition with resale demand → ask a used-car dealer first
- Still in regular use with a minor fault → repair
6 things to prepare
- Check the licence expiry and the 60-day refund threshold
- Gather registration document, licence, ID and all keys
- Loan outstanding: settle and release it with the finance company
- Keeping the plate: prepare TD129
- Insurance: check your policy's cancellation terms
- EV: delete personal data from the head unit and remove the car from the brand app
Documents needed
Based on the TD's requirements for cancelling the registration of a disposed vehicle.
| Document | At handover | For deregistration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original vehicle registration document | ✓ | ✓ | If lost, ask the TD first |
| Original vehicle licence | ✓ | ✓ (if valid) | Needed for a refund |
| Registered owner's ID | ✓ | ✓ | HKID; passport for non-residents; Certificate of Incorporation for companies |
| All keys | ✓ | — | Even if the car won't start |
| Original vehicle dismantling certificate | — | ✓ | Issued by the scrap company |
| TD184 notification of cancellation | — | ✓ | Completed and signed |
| Personalised registration mark allocation certificate | — | ✓ (if applicable) | Personalised plates |
| Copy of owner's ID + agent's original ID | — | ✓ (if by agent) | Someone else submits |
| TD129 transfer or retention of registration mark | — | ✓ (if keeping plate) | Kept 12 months |
Missing documents? WhatsApp us first and we will explain the options.
Transport Department forms involved
| Form | Purpose | When |
|---|---|---|
| TD184 | Cancel the vehicle registration | Within 15 days of dismantling |
| TD129 | Retain the registration mark (plate) | With deregistration |
| TD22 | First registration of a new vehicle | When buying a new car (usually by the dealer) |
| TD628 | One-for-One concession application | Only under the one-off arrangement |
How long does scrapping a car take?
| Stage | Typical time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial quote | Within minutes | Photos by WhatsApp or phone |
| Confirm price | Immediate | Conditions, validity, charges |
| Collection | NT and Kowloon within 24 hours; HK Island 24–48 hours; islands 48–72 hours | Book islands 48 hours ahead |
| Handover and payment | On the spot | Cash or transfer |
| Certificate | Ask at handover | Check it as soon as you receive it |
| Deregistration | Within 15 days of dismantling | Legal requirement; we can handle it |
Day 0: enquiry
Send photos, confirm price and conditions.
Day 0–2: collection
Check, pay, tow; tell car park management first.
After handover: certificate
Check the BR number and vehicle details, keep a photo.
Within 15 days: deregister
Submit TD184 (and TD129), return the licence for a refund.
Afterwards: wrap up
Sort insurance, cancel parking and autopay, keep all papers.
On handover day
- Plate, chassis number and body checked
- Agreed price paid on the spot
- Car towed to our yard for dismantling
- Certificate and deregistration followed up
What you receive
- Payment (cash or transfer) and a receipt
- Vehicle dismantling certificate with our BR number
- Deregistration and plate retention (TD129) if you ask us
Vehicles we accept, pricing factors and fees: our services.
Before, during and after handover
| Stage | Must do |
|---|---|
| Before | Registration document, licence, ID, keys; empty cabin, boot and glovebox; remove Octopus card, parking card and dashcam; delete phone contacts and Bluetooth pairings; tell car park management |
| During | Check condition; get paid at handover; check the payer's account name; get a receipt; take photos |
| Certificate | Check every detail, signature and chop; keep a photo |
| Within 15 days | Submit TD184; TD129 if keeping the plate; return a valid licence |
| Afterwards | Insurance per policy terms; cancel parking and autopay; keep all documents |
Why you must deregister within 15 days
Legal requirement
Under section 20 of Cap. 374E, the registered owner must notify the Commissioner for Transport in writing within 15 days of the vehicle being dismantled. TD guidance also asks owners to submit or post the documents to a Licensing Office within 15 days of disposal.
If you do not deregister
The TD states that an owner who does not cancel the registration after disposing of a vehicle remains liable for everything arising from it. Handing over the car is not the end: you stay the registered owner until deregistration is complete.
Why the certificate needs a BR number
The TD reminds owners using a commercial vehicle recycler to make sure the company's Business Registration number appears on the dismantling certificate. It is the most basic check when choosing a scrap company.
Licence fee refund and plate retention
Licence fee refund
Under Schedule 6 of Cap. 374E, when you return a valid licence:
- At least 60 days must remain; under 60 days, no refund
- Refund = annual licence fee × 0.24% × days remaining
- If returned within 15 days of the dismantling date on the certificate, days are counted from the day after dismantling
Plate retention (TD129)
- Submit with deregistration
- Kept for 12 months
- Must be assigned to another vehicle in your name, or the TD may cancel it
- TD fee HK$560 per plate each time
| Example (assumed annual fee HK$5,000) | Calculation | Refund |
|---|---|---|
| 300 days left | 5,000 × 0.24% × 300 | HK$3,600 |
| 180 days left | 5,000 × 0.24% × 180 | HK$2,160 |
| 60 days left | 5,000 × 0.24% × 60 | HK$720 |
| 59 days left | Under 60 days | HK$0 |
HK$5,000 is an illustrative figure; check the actual annual fee with the TD. Insurance refunds depend on your policy.
8 special cases and how the process differs
| Case | What changes | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Collection | Tell car park management; give location and height limit | Door-to-door process |
| 2. Drive to our yard | Only cars safe and legal to drive; book on WhatsApp | See directions below |
| 3. Someone else handles it | Copy of owner's ID + agent's original ID | FAQ |
| 4. Company car or fleet | Certificate of Incorporation; a certificate and TD184 per car | Truck guide |
| 5. EV or hybrid | Describe battery condition; wipe head unit; never remove the HV battery yourself | EV guide |
| 6. Broken-down or accident car | Say it won't start and where the damage is; check with your insurer first | Services |
| 7. Expired licence | No refund; cannot be driven, must be towed; deregister quickly | — |
| 8. One-for-One one-off arrangement | Old car deregistration and new car first registration application no more than 3 months apart | One-for-One |
Collection vs driving to our Tsuen Wan yard
| Compare | Collection | Drive to yard |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle condition | Any, including non-runners | Only cars safe and legal to drive |
| Towing | Free | Not needed |
| Your time | Meet at the agreed place | Travel there and back |
| Car park | Tell management | Not needed |
| TD paperwork | Same: certificate + TD184 within 15 days of dismantling | |
Driving
- Address: Chuen Lung Village, Route Twisk, Tsuen Wan (荃灣荃錦公路川龍村)
- From Tsuen Wan town centre about 7 minutes
- From Tuen Mun about 20 minutes; from Yuen Long about 25 minutes
Public transport
- Minibus 81 from Tsuen Wan Station or 80 from Tsuen Wan West Station to Chuen Lung Village
- About 1 minute's walk from the stop
- Book on WhatsApp first for a quick valuation
Collection times
| Region | Typical time |
|---|---|
| New Territories | Within 24 hours |
| Kowloon | Within 24 hours |
| Hong Kong Island | 24–48 hours |
| Outlying islands | 48–72 hours (book ahead) |
Subject to schedule and traffic.
10 common mistakes
| Mistake | Result | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Waiting until under 60 days of licence | No refund | Check expiry, act early |
| 2. Forgetting the 15-day deadline | Owner stays liable | Agree who files and when |
| 3. Not checking the certificate | Errors delay deregistration | Check every item on the spot |
| 4. Letting the car go before payment | You may not get paid | Get paid at handover |
| 5. Paying a deposit | Scam risk | The scrap company pays you |
| 6. Not asking about charges | Hidden deductions | Confirm in writing on WhatsApp |
| 7. Removing parts yourself | Lower price, safety risk | Hand over as is |
| 8. Not telling the car park | Tow truck turned away | Notify management |
| 9. Leaving belongings | Hard to recover | Final check before towing |
| 10. Forgetting TD129 | Plate number lost | Submit with deregistration |
Common tricks used by rogue operators: how to avoid scrap car scams.
Has the process changed since One-for-One ended?
No. The certificate, TD184 within 15 days, licence refunds and plate retention are all unchanged.
First registration tax concessions for electric private cars, including One-for-One, ended after 31 March 2026. Under a one-off arrangement, e-private cars ordered, or shipped by the owner for own use, on or before 25 February 2026 may apply to the TD on or before 24 February 2027; the old car's deregistration must not be later than the new car's first registration application, and no more than 3 months apart.
Our process promise
Founded in 2011, with our own Tsuen Wan scrapyard and tow trucks. Honest quotes, payment on the spot and paperwork followed through.
The price we quote is the price we pay. Free towing near or far, cash and certificate on the spot: a fast, complete one-stop service.
Car scrapping process FAQ
For documents, refunds and plate retention, see our car scrapping FAQ.
What are the steps to scrap a car with Pak Lam?
Five: WhatsApp quote, confirm the price, book collection, hand over and get paid, then receive the dismantling certificate and submit TD184 to the TD within 15 days of dismantling. With documents ready and a free slot, handover can be the same day.
Will I get the certificate on handover day?
It depends; ask when it will be issued at handover. Because deregistration is due within 15 days of dismantling, get and check the certificate as soon as possible.
What happens if I do not deregister?
The TD states that an owner who does not cancel the registration after disposing of a vehicle remains liable for everything arising from it.
How do you handle a broken-down car?
We tow broken-down and accident-damaged cars. Tell us it won't start, where it is parked and where the damage is so we send the right truck; for accident cars, check with your insurer first.
Is the process different for a company car?
The steps are the same, but deregistration needs the Certificate of Incorporation as owner ID. Several cars can be handled together, each with its own certificate and TD184.
Is the process different for an EV?
The TD steps are the same; the difference is safe handling of the high-voltage battery. Wipe personal data, remove the car from the brand app, describe the battery condition honestly and never remove the battery yourself.
Has the process changed since One-for-One ended?
No. One-for-One ended after 31 March 2026. Owners under the one-off arrangement must keep old-car deregistration and new-car first registration application within 3 months of each other and apply on or before 24 February 2027.
Related guides
Process and paperwork
Prices and special vehicles
Based on TD guidance and Cap. 374E as of October 2026. Policies and fees may change; please check the latest TD announcements.
WhatsApp us for a free quote
Send photos and registration details to 6799 5101 and we usually reply within minutes. The price we quote is the price we pay.