Missouri considers tightening auto scrapping law

A Missouri legislator is reportedly working on legislation that would impose additional requirements on auto shredding plant operators in that state who accept scrapped vehicles for salvage or shredding.

According to an online report from WDAF-TV in Kansas City, Missouri, state Rep. Bryan Spencer (R-District 63) is responding to a case in the Kansas City area in which a woman’s car was in a repair shop when it closed for business, and then her car subsequently was shredded before she could regain possession of it.

According to the news report, currently under Missouri law, a car can be scrapped without proof of ownership if it is more than 10 years old. That is one of the loopholes Spencer would reportedly like to close.

Spencer also is preparing to propose that shredder operators be prohibited from shredding a vehicle within the first 72 hours after receiving it, providing a window for owners and law enforcement to find a vehicle in cases like the one of the Kansas City car owner.

The WDAF report also says Spencer is considering mandating that a certificate of recycling be issued for each vehicle shredded and that scrap yards should be required to record the vehicle identification number (VIN) of every inbound vehicle, including older ones.