How I scrapped my old vehicles in Hyderabad: Experience & learnings

09/11/2023

I prepared and shared the required content in PDF format for both vehicles. It took them two days to obtain their internal approvals.

BHPian achagamreddy recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

n September 2023, I made an intriguing discovery – neither Andhra Pradesh nor Telangana were offering any incentives for individuals scrapping their vehicles. While I had heard that certain states did provide such benefits, I decided to proceed with scrapping my unused vehicles at home without any government assistance.

Here’s my account of why I felt the need to scrap my old vehicles and how I went about doing it in Hyderabad.

At home, we had two idle two-wheelers: my first vehicle, an Apache 150 from 2006, and my father’s Kinetic Nova 110 from 2003. It seemed like whenever we purchased a vehicle, the model would either be discontinued shortly after or the entire company would cease operations in India. This was a recurring theme with the four vehicles we’ve owned over the years.

A bit about the Kinetic Nova: My father’s Kinetic Nova served us faithfully for around a decade. However, frequent issues arose due to the unavailability of parts, even at Mahindra spares. This became a persistent problem, and local mechanics were unable to do much without access to the necessary parts. Consequently, we ended up leaving it parked in our designated spot for years. Following my father’s relocation from Guntur to Hyderabad post-retirement, we found ourselves in a dilemma – we couldn’t decide whether to renew its RC, scrap it, or sell it to dealers.

Regarding my Apache: Both my father and I are sticklers for rules. When I moved to Bangalore for a job that lasted a year, I took my Apache with me. I obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the RTA Hyderabad and paid the required road tax in Bangalore. At that time, I was uncertain whether I would settle down in Bangalore, and part of my motivation for postponing the registration change was to avoid potential traffic fines. Upon my return to Hyderabad after a year, I was unaware of the need to cancel the NOC at the Bangalore RTA. Later, when I wished to upgrade to a larger bike, I couldn’t sell the Apache due to the NOC being in Bangalore. Some prospective buyers suggested purchasing and using the vehicle without transferring the RC, but I declined and retained ownership. After I purchased a car, I rarely used the Apache, and it began experiencing frequent issues. Despite changing several components, such as the carburetor, front disc calipers, lock system, and both tires, it continued to pose starting problems. Neither the TVS service nor local mechanics could provide a definitive fix, leading me to cease using it altogether. Nevertheless, I still held a fondness for the vehicle.

My Exploration into Vehicle Scrapping:

With four vehicles already occupying the apartment parking area, in addition to our two unused vehicles, it started to feel as though we were monopolizing the common parking space . Thus, I began my quest to locate a reputable scrap dealer via online research, ultimately discovering CERO Recycling. CERO is a joint venture between MSTC Ltd. (a Government of India Enterprise) and Mahindra Accelo. Given their solid reputation, I initiated contact by submitting my details through their website.

On the same day, I received a response, inquiring about basic vehicle information such as make, year of manufacturing/registration, vehicle type, city, and my contact details. After supplying the requested data, I received a phone call from their customer service team. The representative was courteous and patiently addressed my queries regarding their scrapping process, documentation, and related matters. Here’s a summarized account of our discussion:

Free Vehicle Pickup: CERO provides free vehicle pickup services, including towing.
Pricing: They offer ₹1,500 for scooters and ₹2,000 for motorcycles, regardless of their condition, brand, or initial purchase value.
Documentation: CERO takes care of all necessary documentation, including a stamp paper agreement and a pickup receipt, which they provide during the pickup.
Payment: Payment is processed through a bank transfer after the vehicle reaches their storage facility.

Subsequently, they requested additional details:

Vehicle Pictures
RC (Registration Certificate) Scan Copy
Bank Account Number
Bank Branch and IFSC Code
Pickup Address and Contact Information

I prepared and shared the required content in PDF format for both vehicles. It took them two days to obtain their internal approvals. A day before the scheduled pickup, my father and I each received a ₹1 test credit in our bank accounts, presumably to verify the accuracy and genuineness of the provided bank account details. On the day of pickup, they arrived promptly at the location and invited us to come down to sign the necessary documents.

They had prepared the agreement on ₹100 stamp papers, and it was exceptionally detailed and professionally executed. I was pleased to see their meticulous organizational approach. They also took photographs of us with our vehicles for their records and completed the signing process. I scanned the documents using my mobile phone, and they provided us with a copy of the receipt on CERO letterhead.

A day later, we received an email confirming that the vehicles had been inspected and were scheduled for scrapping. Subsequently, the agreed-upon amounts were credited to our bank accounts.

Overall, the process went exceedingly smoothly, and I’m highly satisfied with CERO’s services. The only downside is the absence of government benefits associated with vehicle scrapping, as confirmed by CERO and my own research.

For your reference, here are some pictures:

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