End-of-life vehicle

Definition: a vehicle is waste when it is irreparable fulfilling criteria of point 1 and point 2:

Point 1: A vehicle is technically irreparable if it meets one or more of the following criteria:

    • it has been cut into pieces or stripped.
    • it has been welded up or closed by insulating foam.
    • it has been completely burnt to the point where the engine compartment or passenger compartment is destroyed.
    • it has been submerged in water to a level above the dashboard.
    • one or several of the following components of the vehicle cannot be repaired or replaced.
    • ground coupling components (such as tires and wheels), suspension, steering, braking, and their control components.
    • seat fixings and joints.
    • airbags, pre-tensioners, safety belts, and their peripheral operating components.
    • the vehicle’s hull and chassis.

Point 2: The vehicle is economically irreparable if its market value is lower than the cost of the necessary repairs needed to restore it in the Union to a technical condition that would be sufficient to obtain a roadworthiness certificate in the Member State where the vehicle was registered before repair.

Source: ELV Regulation Draft

Type of source: Legal – Draft

CLEPA Comments:

  • Comment 1: ELV regulation is a draft under revision at the time of preparation of this glossary and the definition is not finalised yet.
  • Comment 2: Current version of EU ELV: Directive 2000/53/EC defines ‘end-of life vehicle’ in Art. 2(2) as : ” a vehicle which is waste within the meaning of Article 1(a) of Directive 75/442/EEC”.