Report an abandoned vehicle

Contents

  1. Overview
  2. How to report an abandoned vehicle
  3. If you find a vehicle on fire

Overview

A vehicle might be abandoned if:

  • it appears to be damaged, or not roadworthy;
  • it is kept unlawfully on the road whilst registered with a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification), or holds no valid road tax;
  • the vehicle has been stationary for a long period of time
  • it has flat tyres or missing wheels
  • there is waste inside or outside the vehicle
  • it is missing one or both of its registration plates
  • the owner or keeper cannot be identified, or fails to respond to a letter or legal notice.

A vehicle is not abandoned if:

  • someone is parking their vehicle on a street where they do not live
  • it is just untaxed - visit GOV.UK: Report an untaxed vehicle
  • it is causing an obstruction on the highway or pavement, please report it to the Police. The telephone number is 101
  • someone is parking in a street where they do not have a correct residential permit
  • it is temporarily broken down.

How to report an abandoned vehicle

If you have read the information above and you suspect that a vehicle has been abandoned on a public road or public open space, please report it to the Council.

Report an abandoned vehicle online

If you find a vehicle on fire

  • Call 999 immediately and ask for the fire service
  • Keep well back
  • Don't attempt to put the fire out yourself

When you speak to the 999 emergency operators, you will need to give details of:

  • The location of the fire
  • Life or property in danger
  • Whether you feel the fire is accidental or deliberate