Abandoned Vehicles

Abandoned Vehicles

The problem of abandoned vehicles has escalated in recent years, largely due to the drop in scrap metal prices.

People often confuse an abandoned vehicle with a nuisance and/or untaxed vehicle. The council only has the powers to tackle and remove genuinely abandoned vehicles.

The more information you can give us about a particular vehicle, the more likely the service we deliver will be efficient and effective.

If you consider a vehicle to be abandoned, you can report it by using our online mapping service, the Abandoned Vehicles Reporting Form or you can email contact@islington.gov.uk or telephone us: 020 7527 2000.

Remember to give us as many details as possible, for example exact location, registration number, make, model and colour.

What is an Abandoned Vehicle?

For a vehicle to be classed as abandoned and be dealt with by the enforcement team, it needs an out of date tax disc/absence of tax disc plus at least three of the following:

  • shell
  • burnt out
  • doors open
  • doors missing
  • bonnet open
  • seats and inside fittings missing
  • windows broken/missing
  • windscreen broken/missing
  • wheels missing
  • flat tyres
  • other signs of vandalism
  • evidence of vehicle having been stripped for parts, for example bumpers and tyres missing
  • vehicle full of rubbish
  • signs of a tow rope having been used
  • missing registration plates
  • evidence of vehicle not having moved birds mess, dust, weeds, no windscreen wiper marks
  • evidence of neglect and poor condition, for example rust, very dirty, scratched or dented
  • vehicle has never been seen in the location previously but has now been there three days
  • badly parked

 An abandoned vehicle is generally a vehicle that has come to the end of its life and has no owner, and has therefore been disowned.

Where the vehicle is untaxed, but does not appear to be meet the criteria above, it will be dealt with by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

For more information, click on the DVLA link on the right.

You can contact the DVLA at:

Vehicle Customer Services (Enquiries)
DVLA
Swansea
SA6 7JL
Tel: 0870 240 0010
Fax: 0870 850 1285

Disposal of Your Unwanted Vehicle

If you have a vehicle you no longer require and would like it to be disposed of, the council offers a free removal and disposal service. 

In person

Simply bring along with your V5C vehicle registration document (log book), a utility bill as proof of address, a photo ID (new driving license or passport), and a covering letter to the DVLA explaining you have surrendered your vehicle to the council to:

41-47 Old Street

London

EC1V 9HX

Please note: The old style (V5) vehicle registration document is no longer valid. This has been replaced with the V5C document by the Department of Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). 

By post

Send your V5C vehicle registration document (log book) along with a copy of a utility bill, a copy of a photo ID such as a new driving license or passport, and a covering letter to the DVLA explaining you have surrendered your vehicle to the council to:

Abandoned and surrendered vehicle team

PO Box 46106

London

EC1B 1BR

Or fax the above information to 020 7527 6278

Additional Information

Section 9 of your vehicle registration document (V5C) must legally be completed, signed and returned to the DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BD by the registered keeper, upon transfer to the dismantler. We cannot return it to the DVLA on your behalf. Failure to sign and return this may result in you being fined by the DVLA for unpaid tax duties. A letter to the DVLA from the vehicle owner must also be completed explaining the owner is surrendering the vehicle to the council for disposal.

Once the correct paperwork is received, the vehicle becomes the responsibility of the council. Until that time, if it is parked on the public highway, it is the responsibility of the owner to ensure that it is legally parked. If requested we can remove and return the car tax and any permit to you once we have collected the vehicle. 

We normally remove vehicles within three working days of the documents being received in our office.

Please make sure there are no personal belongings in the vehicle before we take it away. The vehicle will be removed without further contact, unless there is a query, and will be destroyed immediately. We will dispose of your vehicle in full compliance with environmental regulations and controls.

For more information about disposing of your vehicle, call 020 7527 6555.


Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008


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