Returning an end-of-life vehicle: where does a vehicle go that is only fit for recovery? This page summarises § 3, § 4 and § 5 of the End-of-Life Vehicle Ordinance.
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Last updated: · Zevra editorial team · Reviewed by M. Gabal, owner
Who has to take back an end-of-life vehicle?
Vehicle manufacturers are obliged to take back all end-of-life vehicles of their brand from the last keeper.
Take-back is free of charge once the vehicle is handed over to a recognised take-back point or to a recognised dismantling facility designated by the manufacturer.
Which values does the Ordinance state?
| Rule | Value |
|---|---|
| Distance between residence and take-back point | at most 50 kilometres |
| Reuse and recovery | at least 95 per cent by weight |
| Reuse and recycling | at least 85 per cent by weight |
| Certificate for recognised facilities | valid for 18 months at most |
The quotas refer to the average empty weight of all end-of-life vehicles handed over per year.
Which exceptions does § 3 paragraph 4 list?
- The end-of-life vehicle is not registered in the European Union or was not last registered there.
- It was registered in the European Union for less than 1 month before decommissioning.
- Essential components are missing, such as drive, body, chassis, catalytic converter or electronic control units.
- Waste has been added to the end-of-life vehicle.
- The registration certificate Part II or a comparable document is not handed over.
To whom may the end-of-life vehicle be handed over?
The vehicle may only be handed over to a recognised collection point, a recognised take-back point or a recognised dismantling facility.
Only operators of recognised dismantling facilities issue the certificate of destruction.
Which facilities may accept end-of-life vehicles?
Operators of collection points, take-back points, dismantling facilities and shredder plants may only accept or treat end-of-life vehicles if their facility is recognised.
An expert certifies compliance with the requirements. For collection points and take-back points that are motor vehicle workshops, the competent motor vehicle guild certifies.
What does this mean for dealers?
For dismantlers, workshops and dealers this means: with the certificate of destruction the end-of-life vehicle is then taken out of service.
With Zevra the dealer files registration and deregistration in the dealer portal. Registration costs from 10 € per case, deregistration 2 € net, plus official fees.
- Certificate of destruction (Verwertungsnachweis): scrapping and deregistering a car
- Vehicle deregistration online: take vehicles out of service digitally – for dealers and fleets
- Compulsory deregistration: when the authority takes a vehicle off the road
- Export plates: exporting vehicles – what dealers need to know
- Handing over an end-of-life vehicle: duties of last keeper, collection point and dismantler
- Approving a dismantling facility: certificate, experts and requirements
- Temporary registration proof: valid for 10 days
- Documents posted by the authority: within 6 days
- Digital deregistration: documents from 01.01.2015
- Digital registration: documents from 01.01.2018
- Registration with Zevra: €10 net
- Deregistration with Zevra: €2 net · base fee: €0
Deadlines and cut-off dates according to: Bundesministerium für Verkehr
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- Approving a dismantling facility: certificate, experts and requirements
- End-of-life vehicle rules: administrative offences and fines under § 11
- Handing over an end-of-life vehicle: duties of last keeper, collection point and dismantler
- Car dealerships
- Registration services
- Fleet operators
- Vehicle dismantlers
- Pricing
Sources: Altfahrzeug-Verordnung (AltfahrzeugV) § 3 – Rücknahmepflichten · Altfahrzeug-Verordnung (AltfahrzeugV) § 4 – Überlassungspflichten · Altfahrzeug-Verordnung (AltfahrzeugV) § 5 – Entsorgungspflichten · Sources · Vehicle figures: tax, insurance, fines