What?
An end-of-life vehicle (ELV) is a specified vehicle, such as a car, which is discarded or is to be discarded by its registered owner as waste.
Vehicles normally reach the end of their useful lives, either due to age (typically around 12-14 years), or because of heavy damage following an accident. There is no fixed age, therefore, at which a vehicle can be considered an end-of-life vehicle
Where?
The registered owner is obligated to take their end-of-life vehicle to an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF) for recycling.
Many Local Authorities list the ATFs in their area on their website.
How?
An end-of-life vehicle must be deposited at an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF) for recycling.
If your car is complete and free of rubbish, depositing it at an ATF should be free of charge. Some ATFs are also able to offer a collection service.
When you deposit your car at the ATF, they should issue you with a Certificate of Destruction (CoD). This will end your responsibility for your vehicle. Only an ATF can issue you with a CoD.
You will need to provide the ATF with the vehicle registration document (logbook) or ID.
Why?
End-of-life vehicles contain non-renewable materials and are highly recyclable. Taking them to an ATF for recycling protects the environment and helps Ireland meet the 85% reuse and recycling and 95% reuse and recovery targets for end-of-life vehicles.
General Comment / Tip
If an end-of-life vehicle is deposited at an unauthorised facility, the owner will not receive a certificate of destruction and may remain recorded as registered owner of the vehicle on the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) held by the Department of Transport.