If you have a car you no longer want, it is up to you to dispose of it properly.
It is against the law to abandon a vehicle (Refuse Disposal Amenity Act 1978) and if convicted can cost up to £2,500 or 3 months in prison.
Take your unwanted vehicle to a vehicle breakers yard.
The Problem
Abandoned vehicles are an increasing problem county wide. Some car owners abandon old vehicles without caring for the consequences. This creates an eyesore and can encourage vandalism and arson, endangering lives, property and the environment.
On average there are 9,600 reported vehicles each year, 4,100 of which are removed for destruction, which costs Cambridgeshire and Peterborough residents £300,000 annually.
The Council considers a car abandoned when no one claims to own it.
Cambridgeshire Councils are working together with the police to deal with abandoned vehicles as speedily as possible. Enquiries have to be made, then the vehicle removed, stored and eventually destroyed.
But we need your help to locate them. Cars can be abandoned for a long time before anyone tells us where they are!
What to do
Please dispose of your unwanted vehicles by taking them to a vehicle breakers yard.
You should report abandoned cars by contacting your local District Council.
You may be asked to provide your name, address and phone number.
You will be asked for details of where the vehicle is, its colour, registration number, make, condition, how long it has been there, is it taxed and if so, the expiry date.
You may find it useful to use the checklist below:
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Registration No:
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Colour:
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Make:
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Model:
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Condition:
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Location:
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How long has it been there:
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Tax expiry:
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Who to Contact
Cambridge City Council
01223 458282
East Cambridgeshire District Council 01353 616273
Fenland District Council
01354 602100
Huntingdonshire District Council
01480 388297
Peterborough City Council
01733 425338
South Cambridgeshire District Council 01223 443000
What to Expect once it is reported
The vehicle will be assessed by a Council Officer, and if considered abandoned, will be removed as soon as is reasonably practical.
Abandoned vehicles can be removed from private land if they can be picked up without difficulty and if the landowner does not object.
If the vehicle has a "police aware" sticker on it, but has been there for a long time, it may be abandoned, please contact your local council.
Please report abandoned vehicles and dispose of your own vehicle responsibly.
What to do if your car has been moved
You can get it back if it has not been destroyed but only of you pay the Council's statutory charges, and provide evidence that you are the owner.
If your car was stolen but we have moved it, provided you notified the police and you insurance company, Council's enquiries will reveal this and we will let you know your vehicle has been found.
Any removal costs will normally be paid by your insurance company, who will be invoiced by the Council direct. If your vehicle was undamaged your insurance company will return your vehicle to you at their expense.