Abandoned Vehicles

What is an Abandoned Vehicle?

Most vehicles are unlikely to be abandoned. Stratford-on-Avon District Council has a duty to investigate reports of abandoned vehicles and have certain powers when a vehicle is deemed to be truly abandoned.

If the following criteria are met, please report it to us using the form here:

1. Vehicle is untaxed (check tax status here)

2. Vehicle does not have any number plates

3. Vehicle is in a poor state/damaged/unroadworthy or in a dangerous condition

4. Vehicle is being used to store waste or has an accumulation of waste inside

5. Vehicle has not moved for a very long time

To Report

Report Abandoned Vehicles

Please include the following information when reporting the vehicle:

• Vehicle registration number
• Vehicle colour, make, model and type (e.g. caravan, trailer)
• Vehicle location - a what3words reference is helpful
• How the vehicle has been left (e.g. dangerously parked)
• Anything noticeable to suggest that the vehicle has been abandoned (e.g. missing parts, vandalism, flat tyres, rusty brake discs and/or the presence of litter or weeds under the vehicle)
• Has anyone tried to find out who the vehicle belongs to or made any enquiries locally? If possible, you should check with your neighbours or local businesses to see if anyone knows anything about the ownership of the vehicle

SORN Vehicles

Vehicles that are untaxed may have a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) which means that they must be kept on private land such as a private driveway. The District Council does not investigate SORN vehicles parked on the public highway. Please refer to the DVLA.

You can check the tax status of a vehicle on the DVLA website.

When to Contact the Police

The Police will deal with vehicles parked dangerously if they are causing severe obstruction. This can be reported via the Warwickshire Police website.

Vehicles that are burnt out or suspected to have been involved in crime must be reported to the Police.

Vehicles without a valid MOT

A vehicle without a valid MOT should be reported to the DVLA.

We will inspect vehicles reported to us as abandoned and only serve notice if we believe that they are truly abandoned. We will not investigate vehicles that meet all of the following criteria:

• Vehicle is taxed
• Vehicle has a valid MOT certificate
• Vehicle is in a good condition
• Vehicle is parked legally