Abandoned vehicles

There is no legal definition for an abandoned vehicle. However, a vehicle may be treated as abandoned if it has not moved for a considerable time, and:

• is damaged or in a run-down state
• is burnt out
• contains waste or attracts vandals
• has no keeper on the DVLA system, or they fail to respond to requests to move the vehicle. Check vehicle details on gov.uk website.

Report an untaxed vehicle

Complete our online form only if you think a vehicle meets the criteria above and may be abandoned. We will then investigate.

Report an abandoned vehicle

Please provide this information:

• Exact location
• Make and model
• Registration (if any)
• Colour
• Your details
• Any other information that may be relevant.

If a vehicle is taxed and not causing obstructions, it is not regarded as abandoned and we cannot deal with it.

We also cannot deal with vehicles, including vans and caravans, parked on private land.

Caravans

Caravans are not required to display number plates. They can be parked for lengthy periods of time if they are:

• not causing an obstruction
• facing the direction of traffic
• lit at night.