Motor Salvage Operators
Why do Motor Salvage Operators need to be registered?
Vehicle crime is cited as one of the largest single categories of recorded crime. The Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001 and the Motor Salvage Operators Regulations 2002 aim to reduce the rising tide of vehicle crime by reducing the opportunities to dispose of stolen vehicles.
Motor salvage operators are now required to :
- Register with the Council in whose area they are operating
- 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 police require entry to a registered premises.
The motor salvage operator will not be able to carry out their business unless they have registered with the Council. It is an offence to operate a motor salvage business that has not been registered. Summary conviction of this offence may lead to a fine up to £5000.
What is the definition of a motor salvage operator?
A person is deemed to be carrying on a business as a motor salvage operator if they carry out a business, which consists of:
- 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 vehicle concerned;
- wholly or mainly in the purchase of written-off vehicles and their subsequent repair and re-sale;
- 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 paragraphs (a) and (b); or
- wholly or mainly in activities falling within the second and third points.
How to Apply
Please use the links on the right of this page to apply.
Alternatively, please request an application pack using the contact details on the right of this page. When presentinig your application, you will also need to produce documents to prove your identity. You may be expected to produce these in person at one of the Council’s offices.
What if I don't hear from Powys County Council within the specified time?
You will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from Powys County Council within 28 calendar days of submitting your request.
Registers
Click here to view a list of available registers.
Fees
How your application will be processed
The application details will be passed to the Dyfes Powys Police. In deciding whether to approve an application for registration, they must be satisfied that the applicant is a ‘fit and proper’ person. The Council can refuse registrations to anyone convicted of an offence under the Act, or unspent convictions for any of the following offences :
Theft or attempted theft of or from a motor vehicle
An application to register as a motor salvage operator can be approved by an officer in the absence of any offences by the applicant. If there are any concerns or objections to the application it will be referred to the appropriate Committee of the Council for hearing of the application. The applicant will be permitted to attend the meeting, with a representative if desired, to make representations to the Committee before it considers and determines the application.
What happens if my application is not successful?
There is a right of appeal, if an application is refused, through the Courts. Details of the appeal process will be included in the letter confirming that the application has been refused.
There are various requirements under the Act and the Regulations that have been referred to here. It is strongly recommended that all motor salvage operators make themselves fully aware of the legal requirements contained in the Act and Regulations
Consumer Complaint
If you have a complaint in relation to a business operating under this registration please contact your local office using the contact details on the right of this page.
Service Contact
There are contact details available in a number of locations for this Service. Please select your nearest town:
Application Forms
The links below take you to another website which processes these applications on behalf of Powys County Council.
Application to register as a motor salvage operator
Application to change a registration as motor salvage operator
Legislation
The Motor Salvage Operators Regulations 2002
