Abandoned vehicles

Deciding if a vehicle is abandoned

There is no legal definition of an ‘abandoned vehicle’. The list below shows some of the things our officers consider when assessing a vehicle. A vehicle doesn't need all of these characteristics to be considered abandoned:

• Whether taxed or not
• Doors open/unlocked
• Burnt out
• Rusty brake discs
• Containing waste
• Significant damage - such as flat tyres, missing wheels, broken windows
• Mould on the inside
• Stationary for a significant time
• Missing number plates
• Location of vehicle
• Details of vehicle held by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
• Status of land where vehicle is located

Please note: Our Environmental Enforcement team does not deal with parking issues or vehicles causing an obstruction.

Report an abandoned vehicle

To report a suspected abandoned vehicle, complete the online form below. Give as much detail as possible. We will investigate and carry out checks. If we decide the vehicle has been abandoned on a road we will remove it.

Report an abandoned vehicle

How we deal with abandoned vehicles

We are responsible for removing abandoned vehicles on private land and the public highway. Once reported we can:

• Remove an abandoned vehicle from a road. This includes private roads and estates. If the vehicle is on private land we will serve a 14-day notice of removal on the owner/occupier
• Remove vehicles in a dangerous condition within 24 hours
• Work with the DVLA to trace vehicle ownership and impose fines on those abandoning vehicles
• Dispose of abandoned vehicles if they have not been claimed at the end of the notice period.

For more information on how we deal with abandoned vehicles, please see our  Abandoned Vehicles Policy (PDF 143KB).

Reporting untaxed vehicles

You can check to see if a vehicle is taxed or not on the Government website. You will also find information on how to report an untaxed vehicle.