If a vehicle is abandoned/untaxed and all efforts to get the owner to collect it fail there is a procedure under the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977 to dispose of the vehicle.
This page will allow you to download a FREE Tort Notice, which can be placeD on any abandoned vehicle on private land. If the vehicle remains abandoned for more than 28 days after serving the notice, you can proceed to STEP 2 and pay for its removal.
For abandoned motor vehicle's we advise you to check the following before carying out the steps below.
Useful Checks
Things which would indicate a vehicle was abandoned are:
- Is the vehicle untaxed. (please note that tax discs are phased out) please check MOT, TAX & insurance status by using this link
- Are any of the tyres flat or have any of the wheels been removed?
- Is the windscreen or any of the windows broken?
- Is there any mould on either the inside or outside of the vehicle?
- Does the vehicle contain rubbish?
- Is there rubbish under the vehicle, indicating that it has not moved for some time?
- Does the vehicle have number plates?
- Has the vehicle been 'hot-wired ' (are there wires hanging from the dashboard)?
- Has the vehicle been vandalised?
- Is it a vehicle that you and your neighbours have never seen before and that no one is claiming ownership of?
Download, print and attach the FREE 28 days Tort Notice to any abandoned vehicle on your private land. In most cases owners will often remove the vehicle themselves once they receive this notice, in fear that they may lose it. If after 28 days the vehicle remains abandoned, proceed to STEP 2 to order removal.
Only proceed if the below statements apply:
The vehicle is on my/our private land
The vehicle is of an abandoned condition
The TORT Notice was served over 28 days ago and the owner has not moved it or made contact