Abandoned Vehicles

• What is an abandoned vehicle
• What happens to the vehicle if it is found abandoned?
• What do you do if you suspect your vehicle has been removed for abandonment?
• Finished with your vehicle

Dumped or untaxed vehicle?

There are a number of ways you can report an abandoned vehicle,

• contact us by telephone on 0845 073 6904
• or via email abandoned.vehicles@haringey.gov.uk
• or use our report a problem page

Please provide us with as much of the following information as possible:

• its exact location
• registration number
• make and model
• colour
• length of time it has been left

All reports of abandoned vehicles will be inspected within one working day.

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What is an abandoned vehicle?

There are a number of criteria that the abandoned vehicle officers look for when assessing vehicles, this includes:

• No current keeper
• Signs of it not being used for a long period of time, such as rusty brakes, flat tyres and mould
• Significantly damaged, run down or unroadworthy
• Burnt out
• Lacking one or more of its number plates
• Containing waste
• Wheels removed, broken windows

A vehicle can be classified as abandoned even if it is taxed and has a current MOT certificate.

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What happens to the vehicle if it is found abandoned?

If the vehicle is found to meet the abandoned vehicle criteria, our officer will place a 24 hour notice on the vehicle stating the council's intention to remove and dispose of it.  

If a vehicle is assessed and found to be in such a condition that it ought to be destroyed it will be removed and disposed of within one working day of the notice expiry.

If the vehicle is not in such a condition, we will remove the vehicle to our vehicle pound and write to the owner allowing them seven days to collect the vehicle before it is disposed of.

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What do you do if you suspect your vehicle has been removed for abandonment?

You need to phone 0845 073 6904

If we have removed your vehicle they will refer you to our Abandoned Vehicles administration team who will explain to you the procedures to have your vehicle released as well as the appeals procedure.

Vehicles being held at our Pound will be subject to the following release fees as stated in the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984:

• £200 removal fee
• £40 per day storage fee

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Finished with your vehicle

It is an offence to abandon a motor vehicle on open land or the public highway and there is a maximum penalty of £2500 and/or imprisonment.

Haringey Council will collect unwanted vehicles for you for free.

All you need to do is fill in a form at any one of our Customer Service Centres.

Be sure to bring proof of identity and vehicle ownership.

The vehicle will be removed from its location within 3 working days.

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