Basildon Council investigated over 2300 reports of abandoned vehicles last year.
Of these reports 630 vehicles turned out to have actually been abandoned and were removed and disposed of by the Council.
Once a vehicle is established as actually abandoned then 97% are removed within four days.________________________________
WHAT IS AN ABANDONED VEHICLE?
Any vehicle which the owner no longer wants that has been left on open land to which the public have access.
The vehicle may be in poor condition, unmoved for some time, untaxed or vandalised.
There is a legal procedure, which the Council must follow when dealing with abandoned vehicles.
WHAT ACTION DOES THE COUNCIL TAKE WHEN IT RECEIVES A REPORT OF AN ABANDONED VEHICLE?
Depending on the result of DVLA enquiries a Council sticker may be attached to the vehicle asking the Owner/Keeper to claim it within 7 days.
Claims will only be accepted if made in writing, giving the owners name and address.
The Council will contact vehicle owners if possible and make enquiries to establish that a vehicle is in fact abandoned. Only then will removal instructions be issued.
Circumstances will dictate whether the vehicle is immediately disposed of or stored for 7 days
Proof of ownership and a release fee are required to claim a vehicle from storage.
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Advice & Information
UNWANTED VEHICLES | |
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Get rid of your old unwanted vehicle responsibly. |
Use a registered Scrap Dealer
The following scrap dealers will remove vehicles for a small fee:
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ARM Recovery | 01268 530470 |
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Outen Scrap | 01708 869828 |
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Giving vehicles away for spares often results in them being stripped and dumped. |
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Giving vehicles away for spares often results in them being used in crimes. |
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Notify the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) if you sell, scrap or give away your old unwanted vehicle - If you do not notify the DVLA you will be committing an offence! |
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You cannot rely on the person to whom you sell or give your old vehicle to inform the DVLA that they are the new keeper. They often fail to do so. |
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This means that you could still be liable for any traffic, parking or criminal offences that your old vehicles is later involved in.
From January 2004, changes in the law hold the last registered keeper responsible for abandoned vehicles. |
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Dumping a vehicle is an offence with maximum penalties of a £2500 fine or 3 months imprisonment. |
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UNTAXED VEHICLES
Basildon Council does not have legal powers to remove vehicles simply because they are untaxed.
Car tax evasion is a Customs & Excise offence, which can only be enforced by DVLA 
From January 2004 Registered Keepers will be sent an automatic fine if they do not renew their car tax or declare their vehicle off road (SORN).
To report a vehicle, which is not displaying a valid tax disc, please contact: |
| DVLA Local Office
Parkway House
49 Baddow Road
Chelmsford
CM2 0XJ |
Tel: 0870 2412147
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Although anonymous reports will be investigated by the DVLA you can provide full details on a witness statement.
The official forms are available for collection at the Council Housing offices, Barleylands Depot and Basildon Police Station. |
VEHICLES IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION
The Council has powers to remove dangerous vehicles from the Highway. If the vehicle is untaxed and has no registered keeper, it may be removed immediately. Otherwise, a notice giving 24 hours warning of its destruction will be attached to any dangerous vehicle of no intrinsic value. |
STOLEN VEHICLES
If enquiries establish that a vehicle is stolen, the Police will arrange to remove it immediately, unless it is burnt out. |
BURNT OUT VEHICLES
Vehicle fires are caused by an electrical fault or arson, often following the theft of the vehicle. The relevant insurance company should move these. However, because of the toxic material present the Council may dispose of any vehicles not removed within 24 hours if considered to be a hazard to the public |
VEHICLES CAUSING AN OBSTRUCTION
This is a Police matter and the Council has no powers to remove vehicles blocking driveways, garages etc. |
WHAT DOES A ‘POLICE AWARE’ STICKER ATTACHED TO A CAR MEAN?
The Police affix such notices to vehicles to inform the public that they are aware of the vehicle. This does not mean that the Council is informed of the vehicle. |
NUISANCE VEHICLES
These are perhaps not roadworthy, not taxed or being worked on by their owners. The abandoned vehicle legislation does not give the Council powers to remove vehicles that have been claimed by their owners, unless they are in a dangerous condition. However, the Council works with the Police and DVLA in partnership to try and resolve nuisance problems. Only the Police can pursue road traffic offences. |
VEHICLES ON HOUSING LAND
Council Officers have the power to revoke parking rights and remove vehicles from land that is owned by the Housing Department. |
VEHICLES ON PRIVATE LAND
The Council has a duty to remove abandoned vehicles on private land, subject to the landowner’s authority. It has no powers to remove vehicles which are claimed by their owners. |
VEHICLES ON THE A127, A130, A13, & A1245
Essex County Council deals with abandoned vehicles on the above main routes. Use our Online Form to Report an Abandoned Vehicle now or
Telephone Streetcare on 01268 294949 with the following information:
Registration Number.
Make/Model.
Colour.
The exact location, including access road/point if applicable
and the reason you think the vehicle is abandoned. |
DOES THE COUNCIL SELL ABANDONED VEHICLES?
The vehicles are generally old and potentially unsafe to return to use. They are normally crushed as scrap metal and the DVLA are advised of their destruction. |
WHO PAYS FOR THE REMOVAL OF ABANDONED VEHICLES? YOU DO !
Most of the cost is met by Council Tax payers, but where an owner can be traced, we charge them. An invoice is sent for the statutory Removal & Disposal charge of £155 +VAT. From January 2004, changes in the law hold the registered keeper responsible for abandoned vehicles. It is a criminal offence to abandon a vehicle. The penalty is a fine of £2500 and / or 3 months imprisonment.
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