Abandoned vehicles

A vehicle is abandoned if it’s been left by its owner with no intention to recover or accept responsibility for it.  Please note if the vehicle is a trailer or caravan, Worcestershire County Council should be contacted on 01905 763763.

To help us determine if a vehicle is abandoned we consider a range of elements, including:

• How long has it been since the vehicle moved
• The overall condition, age and appearance of the vehicle
• Whether there is a registered keeper or valid road tax according to the DVLA
• If there is a number plate
• If it looks as if it could be driven
• If it has rubbish or waste inside

Unless it's in a dangerous location we do not consider a vehicle to be abandoned until it has been in the same position for at least 14 days.

There may be legitimate reasons why a car hasn’t moved, for example:

• the owners are visiting a relative
• the owners are sick or in hospital
• the owners are on holiday
• the vehicle has broken down
• the vehicle is awaiting recovery from an insurance company

Report an untaxed vehicle

Before reporting an abandoned vehicle you should obtain the vehicle registration and check if its taxed by visiting Gov.UK.

Untaxed vehicles can be reported to the DVLA.

Report an abandoned vehicle

Please have the following information available before reporting a vehicle to the City Council as abandoned:

• Exact location (use a house number if appropriate)
• Make, model, and colour of the vehicle
• Registration number
• Condition of the vehicle
• Length of time you have observed it in the location

We will investigate the vehicle within 5 working days. We will confirm the case using 14 days of evidence. 

If a vehicle on the highway is in a dangerous condition or causing a hazard we aim to inspect it within 1 working day. 

Vehicles are removed by the Council’s official contractor who carries ID at all times.  No unauthorised persons should remove vehicles under our investigation.

I have been served a 7 day notice letter in the post - how do I recover my vehicle?

You should contact our Parking and Enforcement team by calling 01905 722233. You will require your DVLA Vehicle Registration Document V5 and a current proof of identity with your name and address.

You should ensure you contact us before the 7 days expire otherwise your vehicle will be sent for recycling.

You will also have to pay to recover the vehicle. The charges, set by government regulation, are as follows:

• £105 vehicle release
• £12 per day storage
• £75 disposal fee

I left something in my vehicle and I want it back - can I get it?

Any property found inside an abandoned vehicle is abandoned with the vehicle. Vehicles and their contents are recycled as a whole.

My vehicle was not abandoned - why was it removed?

When inspecting a vehicle we consider certain factors to help us determine if it’s abandoned.

• How long has it been since the vehicle moved
• The overall condition, age and appearance of the vehicle
• Whether there is a registered keeper or valid road tax according to the DVLA
• If there is a number plate
• If it looks as if it could be driven
• If it has rubbish or waste inside

I was not informed my vehicle would be taken away - why?

Abandoning a vehicle is an offence. Vehicles are removed if they meet the criteria of an abandoned vehicle. Once removed and taken into storage a letter will be sent to the last known registered keeper giving them the opportunity upon paying the above fees to reclaim the vehicle.

How to dispose of an unwanted vehicle

Either contact us as above if your vehicle has been removed. 

If you would like to dispose of a vehicle use only an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF), it is the responsibility of a vehicle owner to check that the dismantler used is authorised.  More information is available from the Environment Agency about ATFs.

Contacts

Contact Worcester City Council on 01905 722233