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We investigate reports of an abandoned vehicle if it:    

  • appears to have no owner
  • is in poor condition
  • has been vandalised

We can’t investigate reports of an abandoned vehicle if it:

  • is untaxed but shows no other signs of being abandoned
  • is parked outside a house and the householder disapproves

If a vehicle is untaxed but not abandoned, you can report it to DVLA

You should contact Essex Police if the vehicle is:

  • parked in a dangerous position or is causing an obstruction
  • in a dangerous position at the roadside after a road traffic accident
  • lost or stolen

How to report

To report an abandoned vehicle, you will need:

  • your name, address and contact details
  • the vehicle, including the make, registration number, colour and whether it is taxed
  • where the vehicle is located
  • how long the vehicle has been there
  • the condition of the vehicle
  • photos or evidence of the problem, if you have it  

How we deal with abandoned vehicles

Once we receive your report of an abandoned vehicle, we will investigate the vehicle to find out if it is abandoned. We will:

  • try to contact the owner of the vehicle
  • place a notice on the vehicle, giving the owner seven days to tell us the vehicle is not abandoned 

If the vehicle is a potential danger to the public, we will remove it without notice.

If we decide that the vehicle is abandoned after we have investigated, we will remove it within seven days.

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