A vehicle may remain on a public road provided it has a registered keeper, valid tax, a current MOT certificate, insurance and a parking permit in controlled zones (where applicable).
Identifying abandoned vehicles
Whilst there is no legal definition of “abandoned,” they can be described as vehicles that have been left by the owner who has no intention of retrieving them.
In deciding whether a vehicle is abandoned, a combination of the following situations must apply:
- the vehicle is untaxed and appears to have no owner or keeper
- stationary for a prolonged period indicating neglect, with visible deterioration such as flat tyres, unsecured doors, visible mould, missing number plates, broken windows, vandalism, or being burnt out
- containing waste, rubbish, discarded car parts or furniture
In some circumstances, a vehicle may still be considered abandoned even if it has valid road tax or an MOT, if it appears neglected or hazardous.
How to know if a vehicle is abandoned
There is no exact rule for what makes a vehicle “abandoned,” but it usually means the owner has left it and does not plan to come back for it.
A vehicle might be abandoned if:
- it has no tax and no clear owner
- it has not moved for a long time and looks damaged. For example, it might have flat tyres, broken windows, missing number plates, mould, or signs of vandalism or fire
- it has rubbish, old car parts, or furniture inside
Even if a vehicle has tax or an MOT, it can still be seen as abandoned if it looks unsafe or badly neglected.
Is it against the law to abandon a vehicle?
Yes. Leaving a vehicle or its parts on a road or open land without permission is a crime in the UK. This is part of a law called the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978.
If someone abandons a vehicle, they could:
- be fined up to £2,500
- be sent to prison for up to 3 months
- get a Fixed Penalty Notice (a fine they must pay)
- have to pay for the removal, storage, and disposal of the vehicle
Dangerous or burnt‑out vehicles
If you see a vehicle that looks dangerous or has been set on fire, do not touch it. It might need to be checked by the police.
You can report it by:
- calling 101
- using the Essex Police website to report an abandoned vehicle
If you see a vehicle on fire, being damaged, or if someone is stealing parts, call 999 straight away.
How to report an abandoned vehicle
If you think a vehicle has been left and forgotten, you can report it. You will need to tell us:
- Where it is - the street name, a nearby place, or the postcode.
- What the vehicle looks like - the make, model, colour, and number plate (if you can see it).
- Why you are reporting it - for example, it has been there for months, it is damaged, or it has no tax.
Once you have got this information, you can fill out the abandoned vehicle online form. We will then come and check the vehicle.
What action will be taken?
When you report a vehicle that may be abandoned, we will come and check it.
If we decide it really is abandoned, we will put a notice on the vehicle:
- usually, the notice gives 15 days for the owner to act (unless it is dangerous)
- a shorter notice period, such as 7 days or 24 hours, may be given if the vehicle is causing an immediate safety risk to the public
The notice put on the vehicle gives the owner a set time period to either respond to or to remove the vehicle. The notice period is the minimum legal timescale, not a guaranteed removal date. If the vehicle remains in place after this time, the Council will then arrange for its removal and disposal.
Vehicles are not automatically removed on the final day of the notice. Removal may take place after the notice period as part of the Council’s scheduled operations. Vehicles that are dangerous or present a serious risk to the public may be removed sooner.
Once removed, the vehicle is kept for up to 21 days before it is destroyed or sold. If it is very unsafe, it might be removed and destroyed sooner.
If the owner comes forward, the vehicle is no longer seen as abandoned. But if it is still dangerous, it can still be taken away. The owner must then get rid of it properly or they could be taken to court.
More details can be found in our Abandoned Vehicles and Vehicle Removal Policy
Claiming back an abandoned vehicle
If a vehicle has been taken away because it was abandoned, the owner can still get it back.
To do this, call Redcorn Ltd on 020 8803 0834 between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
You will have to pay:
- A recovery fee.
- A daily storage fee.
- A disposal fee (if the vehicle was going to be destroyed).
Reporting untaxed or SORN vehicles on the highway (not abandoned)
Vehicles that have no tax for more than 2 months or are marked as SORN (off the road), should not be parked on public roads.
You can:
- check if a vehicle is taxed by visiting Check Vehicle Tax on the GOV.UK website
- report the vehicle using the DVLA's anonymous online form
- or call the DVLA on 0300 790 6802
How to report a vehicle without a valid MOT
Vehicles must have a valid MOT certificate to be on public roads. If a vehicle does not have one, it could be unsafe.
You can:
- check the MOT status online
- report the vehicle to the police by calling 101 or using their online reporting service
You will need to give details like the vehicle's number plate, make, model, colour, and where it is.
What if the vehicle is parked outside my house?
You do not automatically have a right to park outside your home.
If a vehicle is:
- Taxed.
- Has a valid MOT.
- Is insured.
- And is not blocking driveways or paths.
Then it is allowed to park there, even if it is not your vehicle.
Dangerously parked vehicles
If you think a vehicle is parked in a way that could be dangerous to people, you should contact the police by calling 101.
General parking issues on a public highway
If there are no parking restrictions in place and you have a suggestion for improvement, you can find out how to send this to us on our traffic and highways frequently asked questions page.