Abandoned vehicles

An abandoned vehicle is one which appears to have been left without an owner. It may not have been moved for a long time and it may be in poor condition, vandalised or in a dangerous position.

Abandoned vehicles

We deal with the following types of vehicle:

  • abandoned vehicles
  • untaxed vehicles
  • two or more vehicles for sale, parked on a road within 500m of each other, which are being sold as part of the same business or person

What is an abandoned or nuisance vehicle?

There's no legal definition of abandoned cars, but we use our judgement to decide whether a vehicle is abandoned or a nuisance, by taking into account whether or not the vehicle:

  • is taxed
  • has a registered owner
  • is damaged, rundown or un-roadworthy
  • has been burnt out
  • is missing one or more number plates
  • contains rubbish/waste
  • has a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification)
  • is one of two or more vehicles for sale, parked on a road within 500m of each other, which are being sold as part of a business
  • is being repaired on a road (exemptions apply)

What can I do?

You can report abandoned or burnt out vehicles online using the button at the top of the page or using the link below:

What can the council do?

We can:

  • remove an abandoned vehicle from a road (this includes some private roads and estates. If the vehicle is on private land, private road or estates the council  can remove a vehicle on instruction of the land owner.
  • the council has also been given powers by the DVLA to remove and dispose of untaxed  and  abandoned vehicles.