Motor Salvage Operators Regulations 2002 & Vehicle (Crime) Act 2001

Any person who carried on the business as a motor salvage operator in the borough of Ribble Valley must register with the Council.

A person carries on business as a motor salvage operator if he carries on a business which consists:

(a)    wholly or partly in the recovery for reuse or sale of salvageable parts from motor vehicles and the subsequent sale or other disposal for scrap of the remainder of the vehicles concerned;

(b)    wholly or mainly in the purchase of written-off vehicles and their subsequent repair and resale;

(c)    wholly or mainly in the sale or purchase of motor vehicles which are the subject (whether immediately or on a subsequent re-sale) of any of the activities mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b); or

(d)    wholly or mainly in activities falling within paragraphs (b) and (c).

How do I register?

(a)    Form A must be completed and signed and sent to the Council together with a cheque for £70 made payable to Ribble Valley Borough Council.

(b)    The application form (Form B) for a police check must also be completed and signed and sent to the Council.  Details must be included of each director (in the case of a company) or each partner (in the case of a partnership) as a police check is required in respect of every director and partner (Form C).  There is a fee of £15 for each person for whom a police check is required.  Cheques should be made payable to 'Lancashire Police Authority' and sent to the Council together with the application form.  In addition two forms of identification are required for each person for whom a police check is required.  (click here to view separate note on what forms of identification are acceptable.)  These must also accompany the application form.

How long does a registration last?

Registrations last for 3 years and an application for renewal will need to be submitted two  months before the expiry of the existing registration.

What records do I need to keep?

The Motor Salvage Operators Regulations 2002 prescribe the records which must be kept by registered operators.  These are:

• Details of the vehicle registration number, vehicle identification number, make, model and colour of the vehicle;
  
  
• The name, address and contact details of the supplier of the vehicle;
  
  
• Details of any proof of identity shown to the registered person by, or on behalf of the supplier of the vehicle, to establish the identity of the vehicle supplier, including whether any documentation produced was a UK photocard driver's licence, a passport, a utility bill, council tax bill or rent book, or other form of identification containing a photograph of the vehicle supplier;
  
  
• The general condition of the vehicle including details of the type of damage to the vehicle (for example whether the damage has been caused by fire, water or impact) and the part of the vehicle damaged;
  
  
• The date on which the information above was entered on the record.

A police officer has the right to enter the premises and examine these records at any reasonable time.

What if any of the details on the registration changes or I cease trading?

The Council must be notified within 21 days of any changes to the details on the register of if you cease to be a motor salvage operator.

What happens if I don't comply with these requirements?

Any person carrying on a business as a motor salvage operator who fails to register with the local authority will be guilty of an offence and will be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale (£5,000).

Any person failing to keep the required records will be liable to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale (£2,500).

Any application for registration or renewal of registration who knowingly or recklessly makes a false statement or provides false information on their application form will be guilty of an offence and be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale (£1,000).

Any person who fails to notify the Council of any changes affecting their entry on the register or who ceases to carry out the business of a motor salvage operator within 21 days will be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction of a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale (£1,000).