- flat tyres
- broken windows
- rusted brake discs
- a build up of dirt around the wheels.
It is an offence to abandon a motor vehicle on open land or the public highway and there is a maximum penalty of £2500 and or imprisonment. Abandoned vehicles are anti-social and attract crime. There are various problems caused by abandoned vehicles including:
- Negative effect on local environmental quality;
- Leaking dangerous fluids;
- Attracting vandalism;
- Vehicles can be the result of, or lead to a crime;
- Abandoned vehicles are often filled with rubbish.
How to report an abandoned vehicle
If you are concerned about a vehicle and you believe it to be abandoned, you should make a note of:
- the exact location
- registration number
- make
- model
- colour
- the length of time it has been left
Tell us by phone or email. See 'Related Contacts' on the right of the page.
What we will do
The council has a duty to remove abandoned vehicles and work with the Police who will inspect all reported vehicles within 24 hours.
- If it is established that the vehicle is abandoned, local enquiries will be made to identify an owner.
- Vehicles will be removed and stored for 7 days. If vehicles are not claimed within this time then they will be destroyed and the council will try to recoup its costs from the registered keeper.
- The council may also take action against any person where it can be proved that they abandoned the vehicle.
All burnt out vehicles are removed as soon as is possible for health and safety reasons.
Untaxed vehicles
An untaxed vehicle is any vehicle that is being used or parked on the public highway without a current vehicle licence, commonly known as a tax disc. Untaxed vehicles reported to the council will be inspected within 24 hours and will be reported to the DVLA.
How to Report an untaxed vehicle
If you wish to report an untaxed vehicle you should make a note of:
- the exact location
- registration number
- make
- model
- colour
Tell us by phone or email. See 'Related Contacts' on the right of the page.
Vehicles for sale or that are being repaired on the highway
Selling or repairing a vehicle from the public highway can also constitute an offence, vehicles of this nature can be reported to the Council by phone or email.