Motor Salvage Operator

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To carry on a business as a motor salvage operator in Tamworth, you must be registered by Tamworth Borough Council.

Upon completion of your application you will be required to confirm that you:

(a) have read and fully understand the contents of this form and any supporting information and agree to the terms and/ or conditions set out within;

(b) understand that by submitting this application, you consent to Tamworth Borough Council passing on the data within this application and its supporting documents to any authority or person that will assist with the determination of this application, or as required by law;

(c) declare that the information provided is true to the best of your knowledge and belief;

(d) understand that if any false information is provided you may be guilty of an offence and liable to prosecution;

(e) understand that if the application is authorised you must inform the authority about any changes to circumstances that mean you no longer meet the conditions for the authorisation;

(f) understand that where a statutory declaration has been provided it may be forwarded to the Police.

Initial registration (valid for three years) £84.89

Registration renewal (valid for three years) £84.89

The fee has been set to recover the costs incurred by the processing of the application for registration.

(Please note the fee is the same whether you apply online or in person) 

You are required to register as a Motor Salvage Operator if you:

a) recover for reuse or sale, in whole or in part, salvageable parts from motor vehicles and sell or otherwise dispose of the rest of the vehicle

b) mainly or wholly buy written-off vehicles and repair and resale the same vehicle

c) mainly or wholly sell or buy motor vehicles that are to be subject to any of the two activities mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) above

d) carry out activities that fall under paragraphs (b) and (c).

One of the largest single categories of recorded crime is vehicle crime.  The Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001 and the Motor Salvage Operators Regulations 2002 (Legislation.gov.uk website) have been introduced to regulate motor salvage operators to make it more difficult for criminals to dispose of stolen vehicles.

Motor salvage operators are required to:

- Register with the Council in whose area they are operating;

- Maintain appropriate records of all vehicle purchases and disposals (please see section 5 of the Motor Salvage Operators Regulations 2002 ( Legislation.gov.uk website) for record requirements);

- Carry out full identification checks on vendors and purchasers; and

- Allow the Police (and other investigators) the right of entry to the premises and the right of search.

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 of up to £5000.

A summary of the regulation relating to this licence can be found by clicking on the following link:

A summary of the regulation relating to this licence (Business Link website)

You may wish to read the guidance notes before completing the application online:

Guidance notes - Motor Salvage Operator (pdf)

Please refer to the guidance notes (section 3), which gives the attachments required to be submitted with your application:

Guidance notes - Motor Salvage Operator (pdf)

You can apply for a new licence or to renew an existing licence online here (the same online form is used for both applications):

Apply for a motor salvage operator licence

Please note one of the attachments you will be asked to provide when making the online application is a completed motor salvage police form for each applicant.

Motor salvage police form (Word)

Motor salvage police form (pdf)

You can tell us about a change of circumstances online here:

Tell us a about a change to your existing motor salvage operator licence

If you do not wish to apply online you can make the application by hand.  Please submit an application form, all attachments (listed in section 3 of the guidance notes (pdf)) and application fee to the Council offices. 

Download an application form then complete and submit it to Tamworth Borough Council. The application is required to be submitted in person and all persons named on the application must attend.  Please contact us to arrange an appointment.

Word version:

Application for a new or renewal of motor salvage operator registration (word)

Motor salvage police form (Word)

PDF version:

Application for a new or renewal of motor salvage operator registration (pdf)

Motor salvage police form (pdf)

Applications for registration must comply with any requirements set by the local authority and must be accompanied by a fee of £84.89.

Applications will be refused if Tamworth Borough Council is not satisfied that the applicant(s) is a fit and proper person to carry on business as a motor salvage operator. Tamworth Borough Council will take into account any relevant previous convictions. If an application or an application for a renewal is refused the local authority does not have to consider any other applications by the person for three years from the date of refusal.

Tamworth Borough Council may cancel a registration and does not have to consider any application for registration from the cancelled operator for three years from the date of the cancellation.

If Tamworth Borough Council intends to refuse an application or cancel a registration they must serve a notice on the applicant or operator. The notice must give details of what Tamworth Borough Council is proposing to do, the reasons for it and the period during which the person may make representations. This period must not be less than 14 days and starts from the date of service of the notice.

A notice will be served detailing the decision of the local authority as to whether to grant an application, renew a registration or cancel a registration. 

Registration of the motor salvage operation is valid for 3 years.  If the application to renew the registration is made two months before the expiry date then the registration will continue in force until the renewal has been determined. 

Notice of changes to registered information must be made to the local authority within 28 days of the change.

The target completion period for assessing your application is 30 consecutive days from the date that you submitted a complete application.

Yes. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from Tamworth Borough Council by the end of the target completion period.

Please contact us in the first instance.

If an application is refused the applicant may appeal to the local Magistrates court. Applications must be made within 21 days of service of the local authority notice.  Guidance on how to make an appeal will be given with the notification of refusal.

Please contact Tamworth Borough Council in the first instance:

envhealthadmin@tamworth.gov.uk

If an application for renewal is refused or a registration is cancelled the operator may appeal to the local Magistrates' court.  Applications must be made within 21 days of service of the local authority notice.  Guidance on how to make an appeal will be given with the notification of refusal or cancellation.

We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery).

If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct (website) will give you advice.

From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre (website).

If you have some other complaint, for example, about noise, pollution, or if you are a licence holder and want to complain about another licence holder or someone who should be licensed, please email Tamworth Borough Council:

enquiries@tamworth.gov.uk

British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) (website)

Car and Accessory Trader (CAT) (website)

Motor Vehicle Dismantlers Association (MVDA) (website)

Motor Vehicle Repairers Association (MVRA)

Tamworth Borough Council maintains a register of all businesses carrying out motor salvage operations within the Borough.  Details kept on the register are:

- The full name of the motor salvage operator, the name of all the directors if the business is undertaken by a corporate body, or the names of all the partners if the business is undertaken by a partnership.

- The registered or principal office address if the operator is a corporate body; and

- The address of each place in the Borough which is occupied by the motor salvage operation wholly, mainly or partly for the purpose of carrying out the business activity.

The information contained within the register may be viewed here:

Public register of motor salvage operators (pdf)

Public Protection
Assets & Environment
Marmion House
Lichfield Street
Tamworth
Staffordshire
B79 7BZ

envhealthadmin@tamworth.gov.uk

01827 709445