Abandoned vehicles

What is an abandoned vehicle

There is no legal definition of an ‘abandoned vehicle’. We consider a number of factors, in line with Government guidance, before determining if a vehicle has been abandoned.

Only authorised Council officers can make this decision. As we may be removing or destroying property, we must be certain that the vehicle has been abandoned.

Signs a vehicle may be abandoned

• Untaxed or uninsured
• Doors left open or unlocked
• Burnt out
• Rusty brake discs
• Contains rubbish
• Significant damage (flat tyres, missing wheels, broken windows)
• Mould inside
• Not moved for a long time
• Missing number plates
• Location of the vehicle - for example, on unoccupied land
• Vehicle details held by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)

Report an abandoned vehicle

If you think a vehicle has been abandoned, fill out the online form below. Give as much detail as possible.

Report an abandoned vehicle

How we deal with abandoned vehicles

We are responsible for removing abandoned vehicles, including on private land and the public highway. Once a report is made, we can:

• Remove an abandoned vehicle after serving the owner/occupier with a notice of removal
• Take steps to remove dangerous vehicles within 24 hours
• Work with the DVLA to find the owner and issue any fines
• Dispose of unclaimed vehicles after the notice period.

For more details, please refer to our  Abandoned Vehicles Policy (PDF 143KB).

Reporting untaxed vehicles

Check if a vehicle is taxed on the Government website, where you can also report untaxed vehicles.