Abandoned vehicles

An abandoned vehicle is one which appears to have been left without lawful authority. It may not have been moved for a long time and it may be:

• untaxed
• in poor condition
• vandalised
• in a dangerous position

What you must do

To report an abandoned or untaxed vehicle we need the following information:

• vehicle location
• type of vehicle for example car, van, caravan, trailer
• registration details
• make
• model
• colour
• owners details if known
• vehicle condition           

What we must do

We are obliged to investigate any reports of suspected abandoned vehicles and determine the appropriate action.

What happens next?

Our aim is to investigate a report of a suspected abandoned vehicle within 24 hours.

Once the vehicle is deemed to be abandoned an appropriate notice will be attached to the vehicle. In most cases the owner has 24 hours to remove the vehicle before the Council will arrange for its removal.

Some frequently asked questions

How does the Council decide if a vehicle is abandoned?

A number of decisive factors are used by the Council, the main ones being:    

• how long the vehicle is known to have been left in the location 
• the general appearance of the vehicle
• the age of the vehicle
• whether the vehicle is taxed        

What happens if my vehicle is removed?

This will depend on why the vehicle has been removed.

Abandoned vehicles which are removed by the Council will be stored for at least seven days giving the owner the opportunity to pay the release fees and reclaim the vehicle.

Queries regarding any untaxed vehicle removed by the DVLA must be directed to 0191 4693159.

How do I report an untaxed vehicle?

Contact either Envirocall or the DVLA.

What if I have a vehicle which I no longer require?

With the introduction of the End of Life Directive, there is now a vehicle take back scheme.  Details can be found by selecting either of the links.