Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), dibenzo-p-dioxins (PBDDs) and dibenzofurans (PBDFs) in polyurethane foam (PUF) from car seats of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) and compare the concentrations of PBDEs with the stipulated regulations in the POP Directive. The method comprised screening by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and GG-MS analysis. Of 59 tested samples from ELVs, 17 samples showed lines above limit of detection (LOD) levels when screening by XRF. Those samples were selected as replicates and for further analysis by GC-MS. The majority of the studied samples showed low or non-detectable concentrations of PBDEs and PBDD/Fs, but two samples showed concentrations of Σ Te-HpBDEs close to the regulated level for Te-HpBDEs in waste (1000 mg kg−1); one was slightly higher (1390 mg kg−1) and the other slightly lower (570 mg kg−1). It was concluded that brominated pollutants such as Te-HpBDEs occur in low levels in automotive applications in scrapped cars produced in years when brominated flame retardants were used. However, two of the 59 samples tested showed levels close to those stipulated by regulations concerning POPs in waste.