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• Transport and streets
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• Abandoned vehicles

Abandoned vehicles

The Neighbourhood Wardens took over the inspection and organizing the removal of abandoned vehicles across Coventry in April 2006. This is well aligned with our focus on cleaner safer streets in all neighbourhoods around the city.

Reporting an abandoned vehicle

You can call Coventry Direct on: 0500 834 333 (open 8.00am to 8.00pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am to 1.00pm Saturday.) Minicom: 0500 431143
Or e-mail: coventrydirect@coventry.gov.uk

What you need to tell us when you report an abandoned vehicle

• The exact location of the vehicle.
• The make and colour of the vehicle.
• The registration number of the vehicle.
• Whether it has a current tax disc.
• Approximately how long it has been there.
• Is there any damage that may cause a risk to anyone.

What is an abandoned vehicle?

Coventry City Council classes an abandoned vehicle as one that has been given up by the owner with no intention to recover or accept responsibility for it.

The City Council has guidelines to decide whether a vehicle is abandoned. These are:

• The length of time the vehicle has been at the location
• The overall condition, age and appearance of the vehicle
• The display of a valid tax disc or Statutory Off Road Notice (SORN) if on private land
• The presence of a number plate
• Apparent roadworthiness
• Security
• Proximity of the vehicle to the registered address of last registered keeper

See the Coventry City Council abandoned vehicle policy document for more information.

Or visit our FAQs about abandoned vehicles page.

Why do people abandon their vehicles?

People abandon their vehicles for lots of reasons. The vehicle may have been involved in a crime, such as joyriding. It may be stolen or it may have been left there by the owner because it has broken down or been damaged.

Others simply forget about their vehicle, in some cases the owner may have died or been imprisoned.

Many abandoned vehicles have been, or are being used in criminal activity. They are often uninsured and without MOT. Some are used as 'pool cars' by criminal gangs.

Why does Coventry City Council remove abandoned vehicles?

It is illegal to abandon a vehicle. The council has a duty to remove abandoned vehicles under the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978, Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005 and the Removal and Disposal of Vehicle Regulations 1986.

Abandoned vehicles are both dangerous and a visible nuisance that often attracts crime and antisocial behaviour. Many can end up severely damaged or burnt out if they are not removed quickly.

The definition of an abandoned vehicle also extends to trailers and caravans that would normally be attached to a vehicle.

How does the council know a vehicle has been abandoned?

The council is informed about most abandoned vehicles be members of the public. An officer will then go out to see the vehicle and assess if it has been abandoned following the abandoned vehicle guidelines.

What happens to abandoned vehicles?

Untaxed vehicles and their contents with a trade value of less than £1000 or which are burnt out are destroyed immediately. The DVLA are sent a certificate of destruction.

Taxed vehicles and vehicles worth more than £1000 are put into storage. The registered owner is sent a seven-say notice to inform them that their vehicle has been deemed as abandoned and they have seven days to contact the council of the vehicle will be destroyed.

Contact details

To report an abandoned vehicle, make an enquiry about a vehicle that has been removed, or to enquire about the vehicle surrender scheme contact us on the details below:

Downloadable documents

About PDFs and Accessibility

•  Abandoned Vehicle Policy valid from Feb 2008 (49 kb)