Abandoned, Untaxed and other Nuisance Vehicles

An abandoned vehicle is one that has been left unwanted and discarded by its owner. Typically, it has been left unused for over a month, has no commercial or historic value, is in an unroadworthy condition, and displays either no tax disc or a tax disc expired by over a month. It may be considered by the Council to be dangerous if it has been destroyed by fire, is a wreck or is vandalised. It is an offence to abandon a vehicle, punishable by a maximum fine of £2,500 or imprisonment. The Council has a duty to remove abandoned vehicles.

Untaxed vehicles being kept on the road, but not abandoned

Vehicles kept on the road must be taxed and must display a valid current tax disc. The DVLA has powers to deal with road tax (vehicle excise licence) evasion. The offence may be reported to the DVLA either online at the DVLA Website, (this link opens in  a new window) or by letter to DVLA Vehicle Registration Office, Sidcup House, 12-18 Station Road, Sidcup, Kent DA15 7EQ, or by calling the DVLA Public Hot Line 08000 325 202.

The Council has obtained powers devolved from the DVLA to remove and impound untaxed vehicles. The Council can remove an untaxed vehicle from the road only after the vehicle’s road tax has expired by a month, providing that the vehicle is registered in GB and is not a Historic Vehicle registered before 1973.

Other nuisance vehicles

Vehicles suspected to be left by thieves after being stolen, or which are obstructing the road, should be reported to the local Police. Vehicles being sold from the road by unlicensed traders should be reported to the Council's Safety & Licensing Department.

How to report an abandoned or untaxed vehicle to the Council

A vehicle abandoned or untaxed on part of a Council Housing Estate such as a garage area or parking area, should be reported to the Estate Manager.

If the vehicle is abandoned on privately owned land, the occupant of the property should write to the Council's Highways Enforcement Officer at 24 Denmark Road Carshalton SM5 2JG to give permission for entry to the land and for the removal of the abandoned vehicle. The fee for this service is normally £47 per vehicle, is required to be paid in advance, and is not refunded if the vehicle cannot be removed because it is not abandoned.

A vehicle abandoned or untaxed on the public road should be reported to the Council's Call Centre 020 8770 5070. Alternatively you can report an abandoned vehicle online.

What will the Council do about an abandoned or untaxed vehicle?

Vehicles on the road that are reported to the Council as abandoned or untaxed are investigated within a few days of being reported.

If the vehicle appears to be abandoned, a warning notice will be affixed to the vehicle. If the vehicle appears to be safe, it will be left for up to 7 days before being removed and disposed of, in order to give the owner the opportunity to claim or remove the vehicle. If the vehicle is in a dangerous condition, it may be removed shortly after its first inspection.

If the vehicle is untaxed, but does not appear to be abandoned, the Council will remove and impound the vehicle, usually within 3 working days following the report. The vehicle may be restored to the owner upon payment of prescribed charges.

How to dispose of your unwanted vehicle

The Council can safely collect and dispose of resident's unwanted Private or Light Goods Vehicles within the Borough, free of charge, and will notify the DVLA of the disposal. Residents requiring this service should request a Surrender Form for the Free Take-Back of a vehicle from the Call Centre 020 8770 5070, or from reception at 24 Denmark Road Carshalton. You can also download and print the Take-Back of a vehicle form. ( PDF - 61.0 KB) 

Some owners pay for their vehicles to be disposed of by local car-breakers who merely dump the cars in other roads. The registered keeper may then be liable for the cost of disposal of the vehicle. It is therefore advisable to ensure that the person disposing of a vehicle is reputable. The instructions on the V5 Registration Document should be carefully followed to comply with the legal requirement that the registered keeper must notify the DVLA when it is sold or transferred.