Abandoned Vehicles
Each year in the United Kingdom, approximately 2 million vehicles reach the end of their life, either through age or becoming
unusable after involvement in an accident. The majority of vehicles that have reached the end of their life or are no longer
of use to the registered owner are disposed of legally. However, the latest Waste Management Survey carried out by the Department
for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) estimates that around 299,000 vehicles were abandoned in England in 2002/2003.
Abandoned vehicles are expensive to remove, and have a negative impact on the environment . They can be the result of, or
lead to crime, they take up valuable parking spaces and can quickly become dangerous when vandalised or filled with hazardous
waste (they are often used as skips).
There is a risk of explosion or injury, they can leak dangerous fluids, which can endanger lives, property and the environment.
Ultimately abandoned vehicle removal and disposal is the responsibility of local authorities and so not surprisingly the
problem costs an enormous amount of money.
How to identify an abandoned vehicle.
Before you report an abandoned vehicle please collect as much information as possible. The following points should help
you make a judgement:
- Is the vehicle untaxed i.e. no tax disc present at all or past the expiry date?
- Are any of the tyres flat or have any of the wheels been removed?
- Is there litter or detritius (weeds/leaves) under the vehicle, indicating that it has not moved for some time?
- Is the windscreen or any of the windows broken?
- Is there any mould on either the inside or outside of the vehicle?
- Does the vehicle contain items of waste e.g. tyres, old newspapers, general rubbish?
- Does the vehicle have number plates?
- Has the vehicle been vandalised ? Exterior vandalism might include dents in bodywork, graffiti, bumpers/spoilers being
removed; interior vandalism might include radio being stolen, seat covers being slashed.
- Has a vehicle that you or your neighbours have never seen before suddenly appeared in your road and no-one is claiming
ownership?
Do not move, enter or even touch an abandoned vehicle. They are a health and safety risk, can be classed as, or contain,
hazardous waste and can often pose a fire risk. On some occasions, abandoned vehicles have been used for crime related activities
such as drug dealing, prostitution and burglary, in which case the police may wish to seize the vehicle for investigation
purposes.
Burnt Out Vehicles
NEVER approach a burning or burnt out vehicle, even after they are burnt out. They are still dangerous and are a hazard
to the public. A burning vehicle fire will consume 500kgs of plastic material and toxic chemicals such as hydrogen cyanide
and hydrofluoric acid will be given off.
Fluorolastomec, or venton, is a material used to make brake seals, fuel pipes, gaskets, 'o' rings and other seals for motor
vehicles. When used under their design conditions fluorolastomers are perfectly safe. If however, they are exposed to temperatures
exceeding 400 degrees the material does not burn but decomposes. Burnt fluorolastomec melts into a highly corrosive acid
(hydrofluoric acid) which, if it comes into contact with skin, cannot be removed - the only treatment is amputation.
Melted fluorolastomec remains dangerous for at least 2 years. Only professional de-contamination will remove it safely.
Remember vehicles remain dangerous after the fire has been extinguished. Last year 750 people were injured as a result
of car fires. Please contact Blaby District Council on 0116 27 27 555, who will deal with the problem. However, if the vehicle
is still burning, call the fire service immediately.
How do I report an abandoned vehicle?
If you suspect that a vehicle has been abandoned you need to contact the Environmental Protection team at Blaby District
Council. To do this please follow the link below.
What happens when I report an abandoned vehicle.
- Vehicles that Blaby District Council considers to be abandoned and to have no value (wreck) will have a 24 hour notice
put on them warning that after this time the vehicle will be removed and sent for destruction.
- Vehicles that have some value (runners) will be towed away and stored for seven days and if not claimed
sold on or sent for destruction.
- Vehicles that pose a danger to the public, (broken windows, smashed body work etc) can be moved immediately
and stored for seven days or sent for destruction.
- If a vehicle is abandoned on private land, the owner/occupier of the land may be served with a 15-day notice by Blaby
District Council. The notice informs them of the intention to remove the vehicle and they have 15 days to object.
- Blaby District Council also has the power to recover costs of removal, storage and disposal from the person responsible
for abandoning the vehicle.
The police have powers under the Removal and Disposal of Vehicle Regulations 1986 to remove any vehicle that is in
breach of local traffic regulations, causing an obstruction, likely to cause a danger, broken down or abandoned without lawful
authority. The police can remove a vehicle to which a notice has been affixed by the local authority and has deteriorated
to a dangerous wreck immediately.
How do I dispose of an unwanted vehicle?
Blaby District Council can give you details of a 'vehicle dismantler' who is authorised to take scrap vehicles. There
may be charges for collection and disposal and you must be able to provide the V5 Registration Form (logbook).
You must make sure that the DVLA is given the correct notification regarding any change in the status of your vehicle.
Abandonded vehicles and the law.
Local Authorities are under a duty under Section 3 of the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978, to remove a vehicle which
is abandoned in their area, on any land in the open air, or on any other land forming part of a highway.
However, this does not cover vehicles abandoned on private land. Under this Act, abandoning a vehicle is a criminal offence,
carrying a maximum penalty or a fine of £2,500 or three months' imprisonment or both.
