We have a duty to remove abandoned vehicles. The decision as to whether a vehicle is abandoned is taken by an authorised Council Officer. Abandoning a vehicle is an offence under the Refuse disposal (Amenity) Act 1978 and carries a maximum fine of £2,500 and/or 3 months imprisonment.
Who is responsible for removing the abandoned vehicle
Removing an abandoned vehicle is a matter for us or the police.
Police responsibility
The police will be responsible for removing the vehicle if:
- it's causing an obstruction on the highway
- it's suspicious and may have been stolen
- the vehicle has been burnt out
If this fits the description of the vehicle you think has been abandoned then please call the police on 101 to report it.
Our responsibility
If the vehicle does not fall into any of the categories above and you suspect it to be abandoned, please report it to us.
Signs that a vehicle has been abandoned include:
- broken windows
- missing number plates
- flat or missing tyres
- doesn't look roadworthy
- looks damaged or run-down
Please give as much useful information as possible, including the make, model, licence plate, colour and location. You can upload a photo of the vehicle if you have one.
Report an untaxed vehicle
If a vehicle is untaxed and parked on the highway it should be reported to the DVLA - whether you believe it to be abandoned or not.
There are charity schemes that allow you to turn your old vehicle into a donation to a cause of your choice. You can find these using an internet search engine.
You can also dispose of your vehicle, normally for free, through an authorised treatment facility.