Abandoned Vehicles

Abandoned cars are a blight on virtually every modern community. It's not just that they are unsightly, but they also pose a danger to motorists and pedestrians alike and create a real risk of fire.

What is an abandoned vehicle?

• Any motor vehicle or part of a motor vehicle in any state of repair or road-worthiness may be an abandoned vehicle.
• A vehicle which is only untaxed – this should be reported to the DVLA
• A vehicle only causing an obstruction – This should be reported to the police
• A vehicle on private land without the land owner's consent
• An illegally parked vehicle - This should be reported to the police
• Vehicle is in the same place for a minimum of two weeks
• Vehicle is not drivable
• Open doors, smashed windows, open bonnet, missing parts, flat tyres
• Missing registration plates

How do I report an abandoned vehicle?
If a vehicle is abandoned on a road or Council-owned land then you should let us know the following details:

• The exact location of the vehicle (Street, house number)
• The description of the vehicle (make, model, colour)
• The length of time it has been there (minimum of 2 weeks)
• The registration number (or lack of)
• Your details (name, address, daytime contact number)
• Contact us on 01895 837362 or e-mail us at abandonedvehicles@southbucks.gov.uk
• Write to: Property & Contract Services, South Bucks District Council, Capswood, Oxford Road, Denham, Bucks UB9 4LH.
• Alternatively please complete the online form.

What if its on Private Land?

• We must serve a 15 day notice on the land owner to seek permission to deal with vehicles
• If you are the landowner you must take reasonable steps to locate and contact the registered keeper before contacting the Council, for the vehicle to be removed
• The vehicle cannot be removed by us if the land owner objects or if the owner of the vehicle comes forward.

What do we do as a council?
We realise how badly abandoned vehicles can affect peoples lives. However, we need to put each/every alleged abandoned vehicles through a series of checks.
These checks include:

• Inspection of the vehicle
• Checks on any outstanding insurance claim
• Has the car been stolen
• Has the vehicle been involved in a crime
• Is the vehicle being financed
• Who the registered keeper is

Once satisfied that the vehicle has been illegally abandoned, arrangements are made to have it removed as reasonably quickly as possible.
Once the vehicle is deemed to be abandoned:

• Either a 24hr or a 7 day notice will be attached
• The owner has that time to claim their vehicle
• After that time we will remove it
• If the owner claims the vehicle, we cannot remove it

Disclaimed Vehicles
South Bucks District Council will take your car away for a charge of £66.00 from your home and arrange to have it scrapped, provided you live within the district and the vehicle is registered and parked at your home address. Please call 01895 837362:

• You will be asked for your postal address and a Disclaimed Vehicle removal form will be sent to you
• You must complete it fully and return it to us attaching the vehicle log book (V5 document) plus a cheque for £66.00 payable to South Bucks District Council
• We will then arrange to have it removed once we have received the payment and necessary documents

These details are kept strictly confidential, but are necessary to help speed up your enquiry should we need to contact you for additional information.

Why are vehicles dumped?

• Owner is not aware of how to dispose of their vehicle
• The owner cannot afford repairs/road tax
• The vehicle has been used in a crime
• The owner does not want to pay to have it taken. Due to the falling price of steel it now costs money to dispose of vehicles. Some irresponsible people decide it is not worth the hassle arranging to have their vehicle taken away, so they dump it somewhere.