We are committed to removing abandoned vehicles quickly and efficiently.  Set out below are the most frequently asked questions relating to this service to enable you to report a car that appears to be abandoned.

How do you tell if a car is abandoned?

We will treat a car as being abandoned if it has:

• an invalid tax disc or no tax disc;
• not moved for a long time and has no apparent owner;
• broken windows or flat tyres;
• been badly parked or is somewhere it should not be.

How do I report an abandoned vehicle?

Please call 01483 445081 or e-mail our Cleansing Hotline on [email protected]

You will be asked to provide the following details:

• Make and model
• Colour of vehicle
• Registration of vehicle
• Exact location
• Taxed or not
• General condition of the vehicle

What do you then do with those details?

We are responsible for investigating any reported ‘apparently abandoned vehicle’ acting under the Refuse Amenity Act 1978.

If we consider that the vehicle is abandoned, and of no value, the inspector will apply a statutory 24 hour notice. When this notice expires, the vehicle is checked. If it is found to be in the original position, we will make every effort to remove it for destruction (or storage if required) within 24 hours. 

However, if the owner claims the vehicle, it will not be removed. It is then the responsibility of the owner to remove the vehicle.

If vehicles are taxed they are not considered to be abandoned. You should report them to Guildford police if they are causing problems by phoning 01483 531111.

The vehicle has been abandoned on private land.  What can be done?

We will remove vehicles from private land if the landowner asks us to.

Can you do anything about untaxed vehicles which are still being driven?

The DVLA are responsible for cases such as this as they are the enforcing agency.  At present, untaxed vehicles can only be reported by writing to the local office at the following address:

DVLA

Connect House

137 Alexandra Road

Wimbledon

London

SW19 7JY

Visit their website at www.dvla.gov.uk for more information.

How do I remove my own unwanted vehicle?

We have teamed up with local vehicle recycler - Aldershot Car Spares - to offer our residents a free trial collection and disposal service for unwanted cars.