Clearing Driveways Before Wimbledon Fortnight: Scrap Car Collection Tips

Why Wimbledon fortnight changes how you scrap a car

For two weeks every summer, the streets around the All England Club run on different rules. In 2026, Wandsworth’s Southfields parking changes ran from 29 June to 12 July, with most existing zones merged into a single tennis event zone. Merton Council runs its own restrictions across Wimbledon Village, Wimbledon Park and parts of the town centre. Its notices for a recent Championships described suspended bays, switched-off payment terminals and temporary signs placed over the normal ones.

For anyone with an unwanted car, three things follow:

• Access gets tighter. A section of Church Road has been closed to traffic in the daytime during the Championships, with the 493 bus diverted. A recovery vehicle has fewer routes in.
• Kerbside space disappears. If your scrap car sits on the street, bays you rely on may be suspended.
• Enforcement is stricter. Vehicles parked incorrectly during the fortnight can be ticketed and may be relocated. An old car left in the wrong place is a risk you don’t need.

A car that is still on your driveway or street when the restrictions start can become a bigger problem than the one you set out to solve.

Collect before, during or after the fortnight?

If your car is parked on a controlled street, check your zone on the Merton Council website. Restrictions change from year to year, so read the signs on your road as well.

Step-by-step: how to scrap your car before Wimbledon fortnight

1. Get a quote. Request a free, no-obligation quote from the Wimbledon scrap car collection team and check availability before the fortnight begins.
2. Gather your documents. Have your V5C logbook and photo ID ready. Our guide to the documents needed to scrap a car in London covers the full list. If your logbook has gone missing, you can still scrap your car without a V5C in many cases.
3. Choose a slot. Book a date and time before the restrictions start. If you work during the week, weekend scrap car collection can fit around your schedule.
4. Prepare the car. Remove personal belongings, parking permits and toll tags. Lost the keys? Scrap car collection without keys is usually possible.
5. Hand over and get your paperwork. You should receive a Certificate of Destruction. Here is how the Certificate of Destruction works and why it matters.
6. Notify the DVLA. Follow the steps for notifying the DVLA after scrapping your car so you aren’t left liable for the vehicle.

What affects your scrap car price?

Scrap prices move with the vehicle and the market, not with the tennis. The main factors are:

• Weight and make. Heavier cars contain more recoverable metal.
• Completeness. Missing parts, especially the catalytic converter, lower the offer.
• Condition and reusable parts. Some components can be resold.
• Scrap metal market. Prices shift over time.
• Location and access. Easy driveway access can keep collection simple.

For a wider picture, see scrap car prices in London.

Red flags to avoid

• No paperwork. Refuse any buyer who won’t issue a Certificate of Destruction.
• Last-minute price drops. A quote that falls on collection day is a warning sign.
• Cash-only, no receipt. You need a record of the sale.
• Unlicensed operators. Ask whether the company works with an authorised treatment facility.
• Pressure to leave the car on the street. Parking a vehicle in a restricted zone can lead to fines.

Questions to ask before you book

• Is collection free, and are there any extra fees?
• Do you offer same-day or weekday collection? See the same-day scrap car guide.
• Will I get a Certificate of Destruction?
• What happens if my car is on a street with temporary restrictions?
• How is payment made, and when?

Book your Wimbledon scrap car collection

Don’t leave an unwanted car in the way of fortnight traffic. Get a free quote from Brits Car Breakers for Wimbledon, or contact the team to pick your slot before the restrictions begin.