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Abandoned and nuisance vehicles

Reporting abandoned or nuisance vehicles, reclaiming a vehicle removed by the council or disposing of an unwanted vehicle.

Can I report an abandoned or nuisance vehicle?


Please note: as well as abandoned or nuisance vehicles, you may also report abandoned or nuisance caravans and trailers.

How can I check whether a vehicle has tax or a valid MOT?

Check a vehicle for MOT on the GOV.UK website

Check a vehicle is taxed on the GOV.UK website

Has the council removed my vehicle, and how do I get it back?

Removed from Saturday Market, Beverley

It may have been removed to allow a market to be set up. Please contact Bell Trucks on (01482) 861697 to find out if they have it, and what you need to do to get it back.

The charge to recover your vehicle from Bell Trucks will be £150 plus an additional £20 per 24 hours, effective from noon on the first day after removal.

Bell Truck Services
New Farm
Plaxton Bridge Road
Woodmansey, Beverley
HU17 0RT

Please note: if it hasn’t been removed by Bell Trucks, contact the police on the 101 non-emergency number as it may have been stolen. 

Removed from anywhere else (not Saturday Market, Beverley)

We may have removed your vehicle, caravan or trailer if we had reason to believe it was abandoned. However, we will always try and contact its registered keeper before we remove it. 

Please note: the police are informed when a vehicle has been taken by the council. If it hasn’t been removed by the council, contact the police on the 101 non-emergency number as it may have been stolen.

Contact us during office hours to see if we have taken your vehicle:

CON_TAB
Get in touch
Phone
(01482) 393939
Online
CON_TAB_GENQ

Where is my vehicle and how do I get it back?

Removed vehicles, including caravans and trailers, are stored for a limited time at Sparrow Recovery.

To collect the vehicle from Sparrow Recovery you will need to take: 

  • the vehicle’s V5 registration document 
  • proof of address 
  • valid photographic ID. 

Please note: If the vehicle isn’t claimed within 10 days, it may be scrapped.

Do I have to pay?

Yes. A release fee must be paid to Sparrow Recovery which is determined by how easy it is to recover, based on one of the following location types:

  • easy access – areas such as roads, car parks, grass verges, lay-by
  • difficult access – areas such as woodland, bridleways, ditches. 

If your vehicle is in an 'easy access area'

Vehicle type Vehicle type and condition Release fee Storage charge 

Two wheeled

Any condition

£150

  £10 (per 24 hrs)

Three or four wheeled

Upright and not badly damaged

£150

  £20 (per 24 hrs)

Three or four wheeled

Not upright, badly damaged, or both

£250

  £20 (per 24 hrs)


If your vehicle is in a 'difficult access area' 

Vehicle type Vehicle type and condition Release fee Storage charge 

Two wheeled

Any condition

£150

  £10 (per 24 hrs)

Three or four wheeled

Upright and not badly damaged

£200

  £20 (per 24 hrs)

Three or four wheeled

Not upright, badly damaged, or both

£300

  £20 (per 24 hrs)


How do I dispose of an unwanted vehicle?

You need to dispose of your vehicle at an authorised vehicle scrapyard, also known as an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF). Some ATFs will collect the vehicle for you if you are unable to take it to them and may even give you some money for the vehicle.

Find a vehicle scrapyard on the GOV.UK website

ATFs are authorised by the Environment Agency to accept motor vehicles and comply with ‘End of Life Vehicle’ (ELV) and ‘Environmental Permitting’ (EP) regulations. 

The ATF will issue you with a Certificate of Destruction (CoD) which is a requirement of the ELV’s regulations.

Is it illegal to abandon a vehicle?

Yes, it is an offence under the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978 for someone to abandon a vehicle. In cases where there is sufficient evidence that someone has abandoned a vehicle, we will issue a fixed penalty notice for £200. 

If the fixed penalty is not paid within 14 days, legal proceedings will begin which carries a fine of up to £2,500 or 3 months imprisonment, or both. We can also claim back the cost of removing and disposing of the vehicle.

Read more about fixed penalty notices and how to pay them online. 

Are cars allowed to park across my driveway or footpath?

No. Vehicles blocking access to driveways or footways should be reported to police on the 101 non-emergency number. 

If you find access is regularly blocked by people visiting places such as shops or schools, we may be able to provide ‘keep clear’ or ‘H-bar’ markings. If your application is successful, this will cost you £85. 

Request new road markings

Can I repair my vehicle on the road?

Repairing vehicles on a regular basis can be disturbing for neighbours. Vehicles should not be repaired on the road if done for financial gain or reward, or it gives reasonable cause for annoyance to neighbours.

If repairs to a vehicle are necessary following an accident or breakdown they should be done within 72 hours.  

Read the full details on the government’s Legislation website.

Report vehicles being repaired on the road

Can I sell my vehicle on the road?

Under certain circumstances it is illegal to sell vehicles on the road, including the same person selling more than one vehicle. 

Report more than one vehicle being sold by the same person

Read the full details on the government’s Legislation website.

Please note: all vehicles on the public highway should be taxed, insured and have a valid MOT even if they are for sale.

Can I leave a caravan or trailer unhitched on the road?

Caravans and trailers should be stored on private land when not in use, as they may pose a nuisance, obstruction or danger to others if left on a road.

Report an unhitched caravan or trailer