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Abandoned Vehicles

What can be reported to Flintshire County Council for investigation?

  • 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 should not be reported as an abandoned vehicle?

  • 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.
  • 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.

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
  • 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 provided to us.

We will try to contact the last known keeper by a door knock or letter and we may 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 can be taken by ourselves, if our officers have any ongoing concerns regarding the vehicle then it can be reported on to North Wales Police or the DVLA.

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

If a vehicle is in a condition where it could be seen as dangerous on the highway or is unsecure and there are no up to date keeper details, we could consider this as a health and safety risk and the vehicle can be removed without notice. Any vehicles removed without notice will be reported as such to North Wales Police.

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