Abandoned vehicles

An abandoned vehicle is one 'which appears to have been left without lawful authority'; this is likely to be the case if it's:

• stationary for a significant amount of time
• significantly damaged, run down or unroadworthy - for example, has flat tyres, missing wheels or a broken windscreen
• burned out
• missing a number plate

Reporting abandoned vehicles

If an abandoned vehicle is:

• not taxed and has no MOT - contact our Waste, Highways and Environmental Services Team to report it
• taxed and has no MOT - contact the Police, on telephone: 101 in relation to Section 47(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988
• not taxed and has an MOT - contact the DVLA
• taxed and has an MOT, and is parked illegally - contact our Parking Hotline

When you report an abandoned vehicle you'll need to provide details of:

• vehicle location
• vehicle type (car, van, caravan, motorcycle)
• vehicle condition (good, dirty, damaged)
• registration number
• your name, address and contact telephone number (in case we need to check any details)
• any other information that will help us to resolve the request

Be aware that we cannot help with:

• abandoned vehicles on private land, unless requested to do so by the landowner or emergency services
• stolen vehicles
• vehicles that have been involved in an accident

Removing abandoned vehicles

If you've reported abandoned vehicles we can help with, we'll arrange removal as soon as possible.

Also see

• Streets, roads and pavements
• Report a street, road or pavement problem
• Unauthorised encampments
• Building materials on the highway