Abandoned vehicles

Abandoning a vehicle is an offence and can result in a Fixed Penalty Notice of £200 or prosecution.

A vehicle is only abandoned when an authorised council officer decides that it has been permanently left without lawful authority, and is, in their opinion, in such a condition that it should be destroyed.

Parking problems

We cannot use abandoned vehicles legislation to deal with parking issues and problems.

Vehicles causing an obstruction or parked in a dangerous position should be reported to Suffolk Police.

Check if a vehicle is taxed

Most untaxed vehicles are in regular or occasional use and cannot be considered abandoned.

Check if a vehicle is taxed and has an MOT

Report an untaxed vehicle found on the highway

Report an abandoned vehicle

We will investigate a report of a potentially abandoned vehicle if it meets any of the following criteria:

• It has not moved for 3 weeks or more
• Does not appear to have an owner
• Is in poor condition and/or unroadworthy
• It has been vandalised

You will need to give us your details, along with the vehicle’s registration number, the make, model and colour, its location and why you think it has been abandoned.

Report an abandoned vehicle

After initial enquiries have been made, vehicles which we believe have been abandoned will have a Notice of Removal fixed to them. Once the notice has lapsed the vehicle will be removed and if unclaimed after 7 days, may be destroyed. The vehicle owner will be liable for costs of removal, storage, and destruction.

In cases where the vehicle is claimed by the owner, or is found not to be abandoned, we will not take any action.

Where you can scrap your vehicle

If you need to scrap your old vehicle you should contact an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF) who can arrange this for you. They may be able to collect the vehicle if you can’t take it to them. They will pay you the scrap value of your vehicle.

Nuisance vehicles

The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 sets out two specific ‘nuisance vehicles’ offences.

These are:

1. Leaving 2 or more motor vehicles parked within 500m of each other, on a road/roads where they are advertised for sale as part of a business
2. Repairing a motor vehicle on the road for business or gain or repairing a motor vehicle on the road which causes annoyance to people. The exception to this is if the vehicle is being repaired within 72 hours of an accident/breakdown and repairs on the road are necessary.

The Environmental Protection Team will investigate whether reports of nuisance vehicles meet the above criteria and decide if an offence is being committed. We are unable to act on reports of untaxed vehicles or vehicles parked inconsiderately.

Car Alarms

If a vehicle is a nuisance as a result of a car alarm, please visit out Noise, smoke and other nuisance page.