Abandoned vehicles

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 car 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 car 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:

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 car has been left and forgotten, you can report it. You will need to tell us:

  1. Where it is - the street name, a nearby place, or the postcode.
  2. What the car looks like - the make, model, colour, and number plate (if you can see it).
  3. 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 car that might be abandoned, we will come and check it.

If we decide it really is abandoned, we will put a notice on the car:

  • usually, the notice gives 15 days before the car is removed (unless it is dangerous)
  • if the car is on a road, it might only get 7 days, or just 24 hours if it's a safety risk

Once removed, the car 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 car 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 car 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:

  1. A recovery fee.
  2. A daily storage fee.
  3. A disposal fee (if the car was going to be destroyed).

Reporting untaxed or SORN vehicles on the highway (not abandoned)

Cars 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:

How to report a vehicle without a valid MOT

Cars must have a valid MOT certificate to be on public roads. If a car does not have one, it could be unsafe.

You can:

You will need to give details like the car'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 car is:

  1. Taxed.
  2. Has a valid MOT.
  3. Is insured.
  4. And is not blocking driveways or paths.

Then it is allowed to park there, even if it is not your car.

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.

Online forms - abandoned vehicle

Useful websites - reporting abandoned vehicles

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