An abandoned vehicle appears not to be in regular use and has been in the same place for some time, usually two weeks or more.
There may also be visible damage to suggest a crash or signs the vehicle has been stolen, such as:
- significant damage
- it has no tax and/or MOT
- it's run-down or unroadworthy, including being rusted
- missing or suspicious number plates
- broken windows, flat tyres
- has a lot of rubbish inside it
- broken or loose ignition
- broken steering column
Abandoned vehicles can cause a nuisance by obstructing roads, traffic and pedestrians. The sight of a damaged or slowly rusting car can also be an eyesore in your community, so, understandably, you might want it to be removed.
Abandoned and nuisance vehicles can often be confused. Just because a vehicle is in poor condition or out of tax does not always mean it is abandoned. So, on occasions, additional enquiries may have to be made to find out if the vehicle really is abandoned before the Council can remove it.
If the vehicle is abandoned, we will place a notice on the vehicle to inform the owner that the vehicle will be removed within 15 days of the notice being placed if, within that time, there has been no contact from the owner and the vehicle is still present, we will instruct a third-party contractor to remove the vehicle.
Before continuing to report the vehicle as abandoned, please check the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) website by clicking here to find out if the vehicle is taxed.
If the vehicle is not taxed, you need to report this directly to the DVLA by visiting their website and following the instructions set out on their website. The report is anonymous and will be investigated by the DVLA.
All vehicles that are not abandoned but are causing an obstruction or are dangerously parked, irrespective of whether the vehicle is taxed or not, must be reported to Merseyside Police, who can arrange for the vehicle to be dealt with immediately.
For further information, please visit the Merseyside Police website or call the non-emergency contact number 101.
How to report an abandoned vehicle to Knowsley Council
If the vehicle fits the above criteria for an abandoned vehicle and you have checked the DVLA website to confirm if the vehicle is taxed, then please click the link below and complete the online form to report the abandoned vehicle to us; you will need to provide details such as:
- The location of the vehicle
- The make, model and colour
- The registration number
- The state of the vehicle, including any damage
- How long it has been there
Please have these details ready to complete the form.