Abandoned vehicles
Abandoned Vehicles
Abandoned vehicles are anti-social and attract crime. The council has a duty to remove abandoned vehicles.
An abandoned vehicle could be a vehicle that has been left in the same place for a sufficient period of time that the owner no longer wants and is left in a condition that makes a council officer believe it is abandoned, this can include:
- 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.
What does the council do?
The council works to identify abandoned vehicles within the borough and 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. If a vehicle has no commercial value then it will be removed within 24 hours. Other vehicles with some worth 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.
Report an abandoned vehicle
If you are concerned about a vehicle and you believe it to be abandoned, you should make a note of:
- its exact location
- registration number
- make
- model
- colour
- the length of time it has been left
Report these details of an Abandoned vehicle online.
If your vehicle has had a notice stuck to it or has been removed by the council and you wish to claim it, you must contact the Nuisance Vehicle Section on 020 8359 7532 prove your ownership of the vehicle.
Removal Scheme
If you are a registered owner of a vehicle that you no longer want, we offer a removal scheme. There is a charge for the service and you will be asked to supply us with the log book and keys to the vehicle. Please contact: 020 8359 7532 for details.
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.
Report an untaxed vehicle
If you wish to report an untaxed vehicle you should make a note of its:
- exact location
- registration number
- make
- model
- colour
Contact the Customer Care Unit or the DVLA with these details.
Vehicles for sale
Selling a vehicle from the public highway can constitute an offence, vehicles of this nature can be reported to the Customer Care Unit.
Report a vehicle for sale on the highway
Related Service Area Information: Abandoned Vehicles
