UK Auto Dismantler Pleads Guilty to Charges

John Keeling of Trentham, Staffordshire, trading as the Motor Clinic, pleaded guilty at Newcastle-under-Lyme Magistrates to a charge relating to keeping scrap cars without a Waste Management License. A license is required under the End of Life Vehicle regulations.

The charges were brought by the Environment Agency under Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Keeling was fined £14,000 and ordered to pay full costs of £1262.09

Speaking after the case, an Environment Agency officer involved in the investigation, said: "These regulations have been introduced to maximize the recovery of vehicle components and fluids when they become waste. They also ensure that scrapping cars does not pose a threat to the environment.

"Scrap yards must now have a Waste Management License. This detailed document sets out features and procedures, which must be in place to protect the environment and human health. We have been proactive in informing these businesses of their obligations and take any failure to meet them very seriously."

For the Environment Agency, Dermot Scully told the court that on 14 February 2005 two Environment Agency officers attended the Motor Clinic’s premises in Trentham after a complaint was made by a member of the public concerning the scrapping of motor vehicles.

The officers found 100 cars, many beyond repair, being stored on site. Keeling was present and he confirmed to the officers that he was aware of the ELV regulations.

The officers returned to the site June 1, June 2005 and found that scrap cars were still being kept on site. Keeling was operating a scrap yard and did not have a Waste Management License, as required by the ELV Regulations.

The regulations require that companies dismantling un-depolluted scrap vehicles needed a Waste Management License. Un-depolluted vehicles are vehicles, which have not had their polluting content, such as oils, fuel and brake fluid, removed.