Abandoned Vehicles

How to report an abandoned vehicle, definition of an abandoned vehicle and what we will do.

Report a problem:

To report a vehicle you think may be abandoned please telephone us on 01252 844915 or email us at waste-management@hart.gov.uk. Please tell us the exact location, registration number, make, model and colour. It would be helpful if you could tell us how long it has been there as well.

We will:

On highways or other public areas: we will place a 24 hour or 7-day notice to the owner of our intention to remove the vehicle

Abandoned vehicles which are considered hazardous on the first inspection will be removed within 24hrs.

Want to know more?

Hart has a duty to remove abandoned vehicles on land to which the public has access. A vehicle is classed as being abandoned when no one has an interest in it. Abandoned vehicles detract visually, can adversely affect the quality of life and increase the fear of crime. They also take up valuable parking space.

Is an untaxed vehicle abandoned?

Not necessarily. The Council, do not deal with untaxed vehicles. You should contact the DVLA to inform them. Their website provides information on how to report untaxed vehicles. The Council has no powers to deal with untaxed vehicles, which have not been abandoned.

What does the Council do with an abandoned vehicle?

The Council will attach a '24 hour or 7 day notice' to the vehicle requiring the owner to contact the Council. The vehicle is photographed with the notice (a sticker) in place. Enquiries are made with the DVLA and the Police and the Registered Keeper is notified. If after 7 days nobody has claimed the vehicle, a second inspection is made. If it is still in position an order is placed with our contractor to remove and scrap the vehicle.

What does the council do with a vehicle abandoned on private land?

If a vehicle is abandoned on private land e.g. A private garage area or company premises, the Council must serve notice on the landowner. If after 15 days there is no objection then the Council will continue to remove the vehicle as above. The Council will generally charge the landowner with its reasonable costs of removal.

What if a vehicle is illegally, obstructively or dangerously parked?

The Council can only deal with abandoned vehicles. If a vehicle is illegally, obstructively or dangerously parked it must be reported to the police as they can arrange for vehicles to be removed straight away.

What should, I do when I sell my car?

When you sell your car it is important that you complete the blue part with the purchaser’s name and address (the purchaser should sign the declaration box to confirm these details). Sign the declaration box yourself and send the blue part only to DVLA Swansea.

Complete the green part with the buyers details and hand it to the new keeper.

Only complete the red part when selling to the motor trade.

How do you tell if a car is abandoned?
We will treat a car as abandoned if it has:

• An invalid tax disc or no tax disc
• Not moved for a long time and has no apparent owner
• Broken windows or flat tyres
• Been badly parked or is somewhere it should not be      

What will we do with the information provided:

If we consider that the vehicle is abandoned, and of no value, the inspector will apply a statutory 24 hour or 7 day notice. When this notice expires, the vehicle is checked. If it is found to be in the original position, we will make every effort to remove it for destruction (or storage if required) within 24 hours.

However, if the owner claims the vehicle, it will not be removed. It is then the responsibility of the owner to remove the vehicle.