Vehicle crime is cited as being one of the largest single
categories of recorded crime. To make it more difficult for
criminals to dispose of stolen vehicles, the Vehicle (Crimes) Act
2001 and the Motor Salvage Operators Regulations 2002 were
introduced. Motor salvage operators are now required to:
- Register with the district council in whose area they are
operating.
- Maintain appropriate records of all vehicle purchases and
disposals.
- Carry out full identification checks of vendors and
purchasers.
- Allow the police (and other investigators) the right of entry
to the premises and the right of search (a warrant is not required
where the police require entry to a registered premise).
Motor salvage operators will not be able to carry out their
business unless they have registered with the local district
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 not exceeding level 5 (currently £5,000) on the
standard scale.
Definition of a motor salvage operator
A person shall be carrying on business as a motor salvage
operator if he carries on business that consists:
(a) Wholly or partly in the recovery for re-use 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 re-sale;
(c) Wholly or mainly in the sale or purchase of motor vehicles
which are to be the subject (whether immediately or on a subsequent
re-sale) of any of the activities mentioned in (a) or (b); or
(d) Wholly or mainly in activities falling within (b) and
(c).
Period of registration
Registration of the motor salvage operation is valid for 3 years
commencing from the date that the entry was made in the Council's
'Register of Motor Salvage Operators'. If the motor salvage
operator wishes to continue in the uninterrupted functioning of its
motor salvage activities, he must submit a valid application for
the renewal of his registration to the Council prior to the end of
the existing registration period. An operator is deemed to have
ceased to be registered if they have not made an application of
their existing registration.
Determination of registration
In deciding whether to approve registration, the Council must be
satisfied that the applicant is a 'fit and proper' person, taking
into account various unspent convictions, details of any
undischarged bankruptcy of the applicant or any directors or
partners of the applicant business, and information provided by the
police (which must be disclosed to the applicant).
How to apply for registration
If you would like an application form with the fees for
application, please contact the Environmental Protection Team on
01394 444624 or email
environmental.protection@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk.