If your car has been sitting in a society parking spot for years, or if it's simply old enough that the rules no longer let it on the road, you're not alone — and you're not without options. As enforcement of India's vehicle age rules tightens across Mumbai and Maharashtra, "how to scrap my old car" has become one of the most searched questions among car owners in the region right now.
This guide breaks down what the Vehicle Scrappage Policy actually requires, how much an old car is genuinely worth, and how Aslam Salim Motorwala, trusted since 2005, handles the entire process legally and transparently across Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Pune.
The Rule Most Owners Don't Know About
Under an NGT (National Green Tribunal) order, petrol cars older than 15 years and diesel cars older than 10 years cannot ply in Mumbai — and must be scrapped through authorised dealers. This isn't a vague guideline; it's an enforceable restriction, and car scrapping in Mumbai and Maharashtra is fully legal and regulated under the Vehicle Scrappage Policy 2021, which the sector follows alongside Maharashtra Transport Department and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board guidelines.
What Kind of Cars Actually Qualify
It isn't only about age. A wide range of vehicle conditions fall under scrapping eligibility:
| Vehicle Type | Description | Pickup |
|---|---|---|
| Old / End-of-Life Cars | Petrol >15 years, diesel >10 years (NGT order) | Free Pickup |
| Accidental / Damaged Cars | Collision, total-loss, insurance write-offs | Free Towing |
| Dead / Non-Running Cars | Seized engine, dead battery, unused for years | Free Towing |
| Flood / Fire Damaged | Mumbai monsoon, Pune basement floods, fire incidents | Free Pickup |
| Insurance Total-Loss | Settled by insurer as total loss | Free Pickup |
| Commercial Vehicles | Taxis, tempos, mini buses, LCVs, fleet vehicles | Fleet Quote |
What Is Your Old Car Actually Worth?
This is usually the first question owners have — and the honest answer is that it varies by weight, condition, and current scrap metal rates. As a general range: scrap car prices run from around ₹15,000 for small hatchbacks (Alto, Wagon R, Santro) up to ₹85,000+ for SUVs (Scorpio, Innova, Fortuner) and ₹2,00,000+ for luxury vehicles. The exact figure depends on kerb weight, condition, and prevailing scrap metal market rates at the time.
Why Most Scrap Deals Go Wrong — And How to Avoid It
Most car scrap dealers cut hidden commissions, manipulate quotes at pickup, and skip RTO formalities — leaving customers exposed to legal liability long after the car has been towed away. This is the single biggest risk in informal car scrapping: a car sold to an unauthorised dealer can remain registered in your name indefinitely, which means any future traffic violation, accident, or legal issue involving that vehicle could still trace back to you.
Six Things a Trustworthy Scrap Dealer Should Offer
| What to Look For | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Highest Cash Price Guaranteed | Direct buyer pricing, no middleman commission — potentially up to 25% more than typical local scrap shops. |
| Free Doorstep Pickup | Towing to your home, society, or workshop — even for non-running cars, at zero cost. |
| Instant Payment | Cash, UPI, NEFT, or bank transfer — money in your account before the car leaves. |
| Full RTO Paperwork | Form 28/29/30 filed, NOC arranged, Certificate of Deposit issued — your name cleared from RTO records. |
| Chassis Cut in Front of You | The chassis number plate is cut on-spot and handed over, so your car can never be misused afterward. |
| Eco-Friendly Recycling | Hazardous fluids drained safely, batteries recycled per Maharashtra Pollution Control Board norms. |
RTO Deregistration: The Step Owners Often Overlook
Getting cash for your car is only half the process — properly deregistering it from the RTO is what actually protects you legally. A compliant dealer files the scrapping intimation with the relevant RTO (Mumbai MH-01/02/03/04, Thane MH-04/05, Navi Mumbai MH-43/46, Pune MH-12/14) and issues a Certificate of Deposit (CoD). The vehicle is then permanently de-registered from the owner's name within 2-4 weeks.
Documents You'll Need
- Original Registration Certificate (RC)
- PAN and Aadhaar of the registered owner
- A cancelled cheque (for NEFT payment)
- Form 28/29/30 (provided by the scrapping dealer)
- NOC, if the vehicle is registered outside Maharashtra
If your RC has been lost, a compliant dealer should be able to help you obtain a duplicate RC as part of the process — this isn't something you need to sort out entirely on your own beforehand.
The 5-Step Scrapping Process
From your first call to money in your bank account, the entire core process is designed to be completed within 24 hours — with RTO paperwork following over the following weeks.
About Aslam Salim Motorwala
Aslam Salim Motorwala has been Mumbai's trusted authorised car scrap dealer and registered scrap car buyer since 2005. With over 20 years of operational experience and 15,000+ cars processed, the company serves Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Pune with RTO-compliant scrapping aligned with the National Vehicle Scrappage Policy 2021 framework.
Where the Service Operates
| City | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Mumbai | All suburbs |
| Thane | Including Ghodbunder Road, Kalyan, Bhiwandi |
| Navi Mumbai | CIDCO sectors, Vashi, Panvel |
| Pune | PCMC, Hinjewadi, Kothrud |
Vehicle types handled span private cars, fleet operators, accidental and insurance write-offs, and commercial vehicles — from a 12-year-old Maruti Alto sitting in society parking, to insurance write-offs from expressway accidents, to commercial fleets from logistics yards.
A Practical Checklist Before You Scrap Your Car
- Confirm your car's actual age category. Petrol beyond 15 years or diesel beyond 10 years falls under the NGT restriction.
- Gather your documents early. RC, PAN, Aadhaar, and a cancelled cheque will speed up the entire process.
- Get a quote before committing. A transparent dealer should give you a final price over a call or WhatsApp, not a vague estimate that changes at pickup.
- Insist on payment before loading. Never let the vehicle leave before payment is confirmed.
- Watch the chassis number get cut. This one step is what prevents your scrapped car from ever being fraudulently reused.
- Follow up on your Certificate of Deposit. This is your legal proof of deregistration — don't consider the process complete until you have it.
Get an Instant, Transparent Quote for Your Old Car
Free doorstep pickup, instant payment, and full RTO deregistration — across Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Pune. No hidden deductions, no runaround.
Call 7428590020 →Frequently Asked Questions
How much will I get for my old car as scrap?
Scrap car prices range from ₹15,000 for small hatchbacks (Alto, Wagon R, Santro) to ₹85,000+ for SUVs (Scorpio, Innova, Fortuner) and ₹2,00,000+ for luxury vehicles. The exact price depends on kerb weight, condition, and current scrap metal market rates.
Will my car be deregistered from the RTO after scrapping?
Yes. Aslam Salim Motorwala files the scrapping intimation with the relevant RTO and issues a Certificate of Deposit (CoD). The vehicle is permanently de-registered from the owner's name within 2-4 weeks, and the chassis number plate is cut in front of the customer.
Is car scrapping legal in Mumbai and Maharashtra?
Yes, fully legal under the Vehicle Scrappage Policy 2021. Petrol cars older than 15 years and diesel cars older than 10 years cannot ply in Mumbai under the NGT order, and must be scrapped through authorised dealers.
Do you provide free pickup across Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai and Pune?
Yes. Free doorstep pickup is provided across all service cities — Mumbai, Thane (including Ghodbunder Road, Kalyan, Bhiwandi), Navi Mumbai (CIDCO sectors, Vashi, Panvel), and Pune (PCMC, Hinjewadi, Kothrud). Even non-running and accidental cars are towed for free.
Final Thoughts
An old car sitting unused isn't just wasted space — under current NGT rules, keeping a petrol vehicle past 15 years or a diesel vehicle past 10 years on the road can create real legal exposure. The good news is that scrapping it properly isn't complicated, and it can also put meaningful cash back in your pocket, provided you work with a dealer who handles the RTO paperwork correctly and doesn't shift the price after pickup.
With nearly two decades of operation, 15,000+ cars processed, and a transparent, documented process from first call to Certificate of Deposit, Aslam Salim Motorwala offers car owners across Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Pune a legally airtight way to finally deal with that old car in the parking lot.