Abandoned vehicles
Unwanted abandoned vehicles are those that have been left by the owner who has no intention to use it again.
Identifying abandoned vehicles
Hillingdon Council do not have the powers to deal with the following:
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Untaxed vehicle(s) – not abandoned on the highway - report untaxed vehicle to the DVLA
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SORN declared vehicles on the highway
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Vehicles without a current MOT
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Vehicles with no insurance
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Stolen Vehicles
What’s classed as an abandoned car?
There is no clear legal definition of an abandoned vehicle however if it remains in the same position for over 2 months and one or more of the below conditions are satisfied:
- Untaxed
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Damage, flat tyres, broken windows
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in very poor condition, possibly damaged, run down or unroadworthy
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No registered keeper
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Containing waste
or
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seriously damaged
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burnt out
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wrecked
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missing number plates.
then Hillingdon Council may consider it as abandoned.
Please note: investigations can take some time and if we believe the vehicle has not been abandoned, we will not remove it.
Untaxed vehicle
If the vehicle is untaxed on a public road, the DVLA is the only authority able to take enforcement or remove it. (ie still being used) - report untaxed vehicle to the DVLA.
The council can not remove a vehicle just because it is untaxed.
No MOT
A vehicle having no MOT does not make it an abandoned vehicle on its own. Councils have no powers to remove a vehicle solely because it lacks an MOT.
A vehicle with no MOT can only be reported to the police if it is being used or parked on a public road.
The council and DVLA/DVSA will not take enforcement action for no MOT.
How long can a car sit on the street without moving?
If a car is taxed, MOT’d, insured and breaking no parking rules it can stay in a public street indefinitely.
- dangerously parked vehicles - call the police on 101 and, if there are not parking restrictions in place and you have a suggestion for improvement, you can also make a road safety suggestion
- illegal parking on a public highway - report online
- shopping trolley - please report to associated supermarket or store, whose responsibility it is to collect any stray trolleys.
Vehicles on private land
Abandoned vehicles on private land can be removed by the Local Authority but only after thorough investigation and with the express permission of the landowner.
How to report an abandoned vehicle
To report an abandoned vehicle, we need to know:
- full picture of vehicle, showing the registration number (if the number plate is available)
- make, model, and colour
- to know if the vehicle is taxed (using the GOV.UK vehicle tax tool)
- the exact location of the vehicle (nearest house number or junction)
- any other useful information.
What happens next?
Our officer will contact the owner, where possible, to either remove the vehicle or claim it. If the owner cannot be traced, the vehicle may be towed away for a short period of storage before disposal. If the owner decides they want to recover the vehicle from the council's abandoned vehicle contractor, they'll have to pay the collection and storage charges.
Vehicles that are burnt out or in a dangerously damaged condition may be removed immediately without prior notice to the owner.
Vehicles inspected and not considered abandoned will not normally be considered for re-inspection until they have been unmoved for at least 3 months from the date of the report.