Identifying abandoned vehicles
Just because a vehicle is poorly parked or it doesn't belong to a resident in the road, it does not mean it's abandoned.
An abandoned vehicle will usually be:
Plus at least 1 of the following:
- not used for more than a month
- in very poor condition and possibly damaged
- containing waste or rubbish
How to report an abandoned vehicle
- Dangerously parked vehicles - contact the police (call 101).
- Untaxed but not abandoned (still being used) vehicles - report untaxed vehicle to the DVLA.
- Illegal parking on a public highway - report to parking enforcement at the contact details below.
- Vehicles on private land - can be inspected if the landowner requests.
What we need to know
To report an abandoned vehicle, you will need:
- the vehicle registration
- make, model, and colour
- to know if the vehicle is taxed (using the GOV.UK vehicle tax tool)
- the exact location of the vehicle (nearest house number or junction)
Report an abandoned vehicle
What happens next?
Our officer will contact the owner, where possible, to either remove the vehicle or claim it. If the owner cannot be traced, the vehicle may be towed away for a short period of storage before disposal. If the owner decides they want to recover the vehicle from the council's abandoned vehicle contractor, they'll have to pay the collection and storage charges.
Vehicles that are burnt out or in a dangerously damaged condition may be removed immediately without prior notice to the owner.
Vehicles inspected and not considered abandoned will not normally be considered for re-inspection until they have been unmoved for at least 3 months from the date of the report.