Report an abandoned vehicle

We are able to order the removal of any vehicle which we consider to be abandoned in the Preston City Council area.

Abandoned vehicle on private land

If the abandoned vehicle is on private land, you must report it to the landowner before we can act.

For more information see abandoned vehicle on private land.

Legitimate reasons for a car being left

There may be legitimate reasons why a car has been left somewhere, 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 has been in an accident waiting to be collected by insurers
• The owner doesn't have a need to use the vehicle at present (in these circumstances, so long as the vehicle is taxed and is legally parked, no further action would be taken).

Note: Inconsiderate or illegal parking will not be investigated as an abandoned vehicle.

When to report it to the DVLA

 If it is untaxed or SORN and in good condition, you must report it to the DVLA by visiting GOV.UK - report an untaxed vehicle.

Please note: If a vehicle has no registered keeper it can be removed by the Council. You can check the DVLA for a registered keeper by visiting GOV.UK - Request information about a vehicle or its registered keeper from DVLA.

When to report it to the police

You must report the following vehicle issues to the police on 101:

• Vehicles parked dangerously
• Vehicles causing an obstruction
• Vehicles you suspect have been stolen

When to report it to us

We can only investigate an abandoned vehicle if it meets at least one of the following criteria:

• it has been at the location for a minimum of eight weeks (note: a vehicle in poor condition can be reported anytime)
• it has number plates missing
• it's in poor condition
• It has become the target of vandalism or anti-social behaviour
• There is rubbish inside the vehicle.
• Vehicles which have been set on fire/burnt out

Report an abandoned vehicle

To report an abandoned vehicle to us complete the following online form:

Report an abandoned vehicle

What to include

When submitting the form please include:

• how long the vehicle has been there
• a brief description of its condition
• the vehicle location, make, model, colour and registration number
• has the vehicle got valid road tax and MOT, please check these details on GOV.UK - Check if vehicle is taxed.

Failure to comply with a removal notice allows the Council to impound and dispose of the vehicle. The power also applies to vehicles abandoned on private land subject to enquiries being made with the landowner.

What happens next?

If the vehicle has been abandoned on a highway it could be impounded without any notice being given. However, in general practice a 24 hour removal notice is attached to the vehicle. Failure to remove the vehicle will allow the Council to impound it.

If the vehicle has been abandoned on public land in the open air - we will issue a 7 day removal notice. Failure to remove the vehicle will allow the Council to impound it.

The removal of vehicles from private land carries more restrictions. Immediate enforcement action would generally only be considered where the landowner has no connection to the vehicle.

What happens to the vehicle?

DVLA checks will be carried out with a view to contacting the owner. If the vehicle is unregistered, then it can be immediately scrapped.

If the vehicle ownership is registered - we will send a seizure notice to the owner. If at the end of this notice period the vehicle is unclaimed, we can dispose of it.

Are there any costs?

Any owner wishing to reclaim the vehicle would be required to pay any expenses incurred in the recovery and storage of the vehicle.

In some circumstances the owners of abandoned vehicles can be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice or prosecuted in the Magistrates Court.

How to dispose of an old car

Information on how to scrap your vehicle is available on GOV.UK - Scrapping Your Vehicle.

Car owners are entitled to "free take-back" of their old vehicles, known as End of Life Vehicles (ELVs), for more information see GOV.UK - ELVs.

Car manufacturers have established national networks of existing facilities that will accept their own brands when those vehicles reach the end of their lives. These regulations mean car owners don't need to pay to dispose of their vehicles.

Scrapi offers a scrap my car service or if your car is still roadworthy you could donate your car to charity through Give a car or Charity car.