Abandoned Vehicles

Abandoned vehicles are unsightly and if vandalised, may pose a very real danger to residents and visitors through broken glass, toxic chemicals and even explosion.

Abandoning a vehicle is an offence but unless the person responsible for abandoning it can be traced, the cost of removing these vehicles is passed onto the council tax payer.  The cost of investigating incidents and removing genuine abandoned cars for a council tax band D property is 1p per week, or 52p per year.

We are responsible for removing abandoned vehicles from the public highway and public-owned car parks i.e. pay and display.

10 ways to spot an abandoned vehicle:

• does it look vandalised and/or fire damaged?
• does it look unused and in poor condition?
• has it been there for over a week?
• is there a valid tax disc?
• are the wheels or petrol cap missing?
• have parts been removed or damaged? (For example. broken windows or flat tyres)
• has it been parked or abandoned in an isolated or unusual location?
• is it a known area for abandoned vehicles?
• have you seen anybody use it or act suspiciously around it?
• is it full of rubbish/hazardous material/combustibles?

To report an abandoned vehicle:

• by telephone: 01386 565206
• by Email: andrea.cole@wychavon.gov.uk
• by on-line form:  By visiting our on-line transactions page

With the following information:

• make, type and colour of vehicle
• registration number
• how long the vehicle has been in-situ
• location (please be as exact as possible to enable us to find the vehicle quickly)
• condition of vehicle
• has the vehicle a current tax disc

Note: Any vehicle that is burnt out, in a dangerous condition, in a hazardous location or appears to have been stolen should be reported to West Mercia Police on 08457 444888.  The West Mercia Police will also deal with any vehicle that is left as a result of a road traffic accident.

Having determined that a vehicle is abandoned, we make enquiries with the DVLA to find out who was the last registered owner.  In most cases a 24 hour notice is either affixed to the vehicle or sent to the registered owner giving them an opportunity to remove the vehicle.  If the vehicle is still on site when the notice expires the vehicle is removed and destroyed.  If an abandoned vehicle is considered to be particularly hazardous or causing an obstruction to traffic it may be removed without notice.

There is a charge of £105.00 for the removal of vehicles from private land, including privately owned car parks, following the serving of the statutory notices on the landowner.

If the vehicle is on land owned by a Housing Association these organisations will deal with the problem e.g. Rooftop Housing (01386 420800) or Festival Housing (01905 823100).

The efficient removal of abandoned vehicles from our area contributes to:

• increased safety for road users and pedestrians
• a reduction in vandalism and antisocial behaviour
• protection and improvement of the local environment

If you want to report an untaxed vehicle you can contact the DVLA at:

Worcester Local Office
Clerkenleap Barn
Broomhall
Kempsey
Worcester WR5 3HR

Telephone: 0870 2401319,
Email: unlic.dvla@gnet.gov.uk (this can be anonymously)
Website: www.dvla.gov.uk

We receive a large number of reports of abandoned vehicles.  However, not all of these turn out to be abandoned and the table below shows the actual numbers removed.  During the last financial year (2006/07) we investigated 93% of all abandoned vehicle reports within 24 hours.

Disposing of unwanted vehicles

Has your car reached the end of its road, failed its MOT or costs too much to repair? Car owners can contact their nearest licensed scrapyard where they can dispose of their vehicle.  These can be found in the local Yellow Pages.

Further Information

For further information contact:

Client Services
Wychavon District Council
Telephone: 01386 565018 between 9am - 5pm Monday - Friday
Email:  client.services@wychavon.gov.uk