Car issues

Abandoned vehicles

Unwanted abandoned vehicles are those that have been left by the owner who has no intention to use it again.

Vehicles we cannot deal with

  • Untaxed vehicle(s) not abandoned on the highway - the DVLA is the only authority able to take enforcement or remove untaxed vehicles on a public road. Report untaxed vehicle to the DVLA

  • SORN declared vehicles on the highway

  • Vehicles without a current 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)

  • Vehicles with no insurance

  • Stolen vehicles

How long can a car sit on the street without moving? 

If a car is taxed, insured, has MOT, and isn't breaking any 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 an illegally parked car
  • Abadoned shopping trolley - report to the relevant supermarket or store, whose responsibility it is to collect any stray trolleys.

Abandoned vehicles we might investigate

If a vehicle remains in the same position for more than 2 months and 1 or more of the below conditions apply, the council may consider it as abandoned and investigate:

  • untaxed
  • flat tyres, broken windows
  • in very poor condition, possibly damaged, run down or unroadworthy
  • no registered keeper
  • contains waste
  • seriously damaged, burnt out, wrecked
  • missing number plates.

Please note: 

  • Investigations can take some time. If we believe the vehicle has not been abandoned, we will not remove it.
  • Abandoned vehicles on private land can be removed by the council, but only after thorough investigation and with the express permission of the landowner.  

Reporting 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.

Love Clean Streets logoNew way to report

Love Clean Streets (LCS) is our new reporting system for issues and concerns in Hillingdon.

Select the report button below to go to the Love Clean Streets website, where you can submit a report.

For the best experience, register for LCS using the same email address as your new My Account. Any reports you submit through LCS will then be available to view and track in your new My Account.

Guidance on using Love Clean Streets

Make a report through the LCS website

Alternatively, download the Love Clean Streets app to make a report.

What happens next?

Where possible, a council officer will contact the vehicle owner 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 will 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.