Abandoned Vehicles Frequently Asked Questions
The abandoned vehicles leaflet (42kb) appears in Adobe® Acrobat® (PDF) format. In order to view it you will need to have Acrobat Reader installed. (Those with visual impairments may wish to investigate Access Adobe, which provides tools and information to help make PDF files more accessible.)
What is a nuisance vehicle?
Abandoned vehicles often get confused with nuisance
vehicles. An abandoned vehicle is always a
nuisance, but a nuisance vehicle is not
always abandoned. A nuisance vehicle could
be any of the following:
- Poorly parked
- Causing an obstruction
- Involved in residential parking disputes
- Broken down
- Untaxed.
What is an abandoned vehicle?
An abandoned vehicle is an unwanted vehicle that no-one wants
or is willing to claim ownership of.
Many of the vehicles that are reported do not prove to be
abandoned. However, we will investigate every
report and deal with it as appropriate.
How do I identify an abandoned vehicle?
The following points should help you make a judgement:
- Is the vehicle displaying a valid tax?
- Are any of the tyres flat or have any of the wheels been removed?
- Are any of the windows broken?
- Has the vehicle been vandalised or in an unroadworthy condition?
- Has the vehicle not moved for a long period of time?
How do I report an abandoned vehicle?
If you suspect that a vehicle has been abandoned please
collect the following
information:
- Vehicle make / model / colour
- Registration number
- Location of vehicle
- Any additional helpful information
How are the vehicles investigated?
Every report that is received will be investigated, usually
within 24hrs.
In the first instance this will be a check with the DVLA to
establish ownership and tax details.
Depending on the outcome of this check the next stage will be
for an officer to visit and inspect the vehicle.
Usually a notice will be applied to the vehicle to warn of our
intention to remove it within a specified period of
time. This can either be 24hrs, two days or in
few cases seven days depending on the condition, location and other
circumstances.
There is no legal requirement for a notice to be served, and a
vehicle will be removed immediately if we consider it be a danger
to public.
Unless anyone claims ownership, the vehicle will be impounded
when the notice period expires.
A fee will then be required for the release of the
vehicle.
What does Peterborough City Council do with untaxed vehicles?
Peterborough City Council works with the DVLA on a regular
basis and has the power to remove untaxed vehicles from the public
road.
The definition of a public road includes laybys, pavements,
grassed areas and parking areas (including those allocated for
residents use only) maintained by the council.
The onus is on the keeper of any vehicle to ensure that it is
not placed on a public road, regardless of how short a period,
without a valid tax disc.
Vehicles that are declared off road must be kept on private
land.
A SORN (Statutory Off Road Notice) is invalid if the
vehicle is on public land.
Can I dispose of my unwanted vehicle?
Peterborough City Council offers a free collection service for
your unwanted vehicle.
Please call the abandoned vehicle office or log on to the
website for more information.
How do I report an abandoned vehicle?
To report a vehicle, or for any other information you can
contact the abandoned vehicle office:
Tel: 01733 425338.
Fax: 01733 425393.
E mail: abandoned.vehicles@peterborough.gov.uk