About Abandoned Vehicles

Each year in the United Kingdom, approximately 2 million vehicles reach the end of their life, either through age or becoming unusable after involvement in an accident, however, around 3 million vehicles are abandoned in England each year.

Abandoned vehicles are expensive to remove, have a negative impact on the environment, look unsightly and can lower the quality of life in neighbourhoods.  The abandoned vehicles service is delivered by Island Roads as part of the highways PFI.

How to Report an Abandoned Vehicle

To report an abandoned vehicle, please contact the Island Roads help desk on 01983 822440 or complete an online form. 

Timescales to remove an abandoned vehicle

Timescales can vary according to circumstances.

How to tell when a vehicle is abandoned

An abandoned vehicle is a vehicle that has no owner.  It is not simply a vehicle that is either untaxed or dangerously parked. It is deemed abandoned only when the authorised officer at Island Roads decides that it is abandoned.

The vehicle will normally have one or more of the following:

• Presence of litter, weeds etc under the vehicle indicating that it has not been moved for a considerable period of time.
• Rusty brake discs, indicating vehicle has been in position for a long period of time.
• Broken windows.
• Presence of mould on either the inside or outside of the vehicle.
• Presence of waste e.g. general rubbish, old tyres, car parts etc. 
• Absence of number plates.

There is no legal definition of “abandoned”. Island Roads officers have the freedom to use their discretion when making a decision on abandonment.