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You are here: Home > Environment > Cleaner Streets > Abandoned Cars > Abandoned cars

Abandoned vehicles

This section provides information and advice on disposal of abandoned vehicles.

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Abandoned cars and the law

The Council is empowered by the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978 and other legislation to remove and dispose of abandoned vehicles.  We will investigate all vehicles reported as abandoned. 

Vehicles found to be on carriageways (public and un-gated private roads) will be subject to the following procedures: 

• Vehicles in such a bad condition that they should be removed immediately (typically burnt out or wrecked) will be collected as soon as is practical after a visit by a council officer (usually 1-2 days). 
  
  The purpose of the visit is to photograph the vehicle and gather any evidence as to the identity of the person responsible for abandoning it.
  
• All other vehicles reported as abandoned will be visited, photographed and have a removal notice attached.
  
• Vehicles of limited monetary value will be removed after expiry of the notice.
  
• Attempts will be made, via the DVLA, to trace the owners of vehicles that have a reasonable value. If these attempts are unsuccessful the vehicle will be removed after expiry of the notice (usually 10-14 days).
  
• The Council will dispose of all vehicles that are removed, and their contents.      

If at any time during the process the owner is identified the Council cannot remove the vehicle.

However, if other offences are revealed, such as Vehicle Excise (road tax) offences, Construction and use Regulations or Insurance offences, the relevant prosecuting authority will be notified. 

Please note:

Where a vehicle is abandoned on private land a decision as to the appropriate course of action will be made, based upon the specific circumstances in which the vehicle is found. 

Vehicles abandoned in Raven Housing Trust (website opens in new window) car parks and garage areas should be reported, initially, to the Housing Trust.

For the purpose of this legislation, trailers and caravans can treated as abandoned vehicles.