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Alert Section

Abandoned Vehicles

What could be considered an abandoned vehicle?

  • It has no registered keeper.
  • It is damaged, burnt out, vandalised, run down or not roadworthy.
  • The number plate is missing.
  • It has been stationary for a significant time, on land in the open air or roads (including private land and roads).
  • A caravan or trailer can also be considered as an abandoned vehicle.

What is not considered as an abandoned vehicle?

  • If the vehicle is taxed, it can legally park on the highway. You can check if a car is taxed with the DVLA.
  • If you believe it is causing obstruction/parked dangerously, report this to North Wales Police on the 101 non-emergency number, clearly stating that the vehicle is causing obstruction/parked dangerously.
  • If the keeper of the vehicle is known and it is untaxed or the vehicle is on a Statutory Off Road Notice (SORN) but has been left on the highway, then this would require reporting to the DVLA.

Reporting an abandoned vehicle

Please provide as much information about the vehicle as possible, including:

  • registration number/make/model;
  • how long it has been left there;
  • location; and
  • any photos/videos.

Report an abandoned vehicle

What happens next

If the officer considers the vehicle to potentially be abandoned, then the registration details are checked and the last known registered keeper's details are given to us.

We will try to contact the last known keeper by letter and we will fix a notice to the vehicle advising that we will look to remove it after a period of time has passed.

If we are not contacted by anyone who owns the vehicle, we can remove it after the notice has expired. If a vehicle is moved or is claimed by the registered keeper during this period then no further action will be taken.

We have a legal duty to ensure that we make every effort to look to contact a potential legal keeper of the vehicle.

If a vehicle is in a state where it could be considered dangerous on the highway or is unsecure and could present a health and safety risk then it could be removed without notice.

If the vehicle is on private land then the officer will be required to speak with the land owner.