Abandoned Vehicles

Reporting an abandoned vehicle

If you wish to report a vehicle which appears to have been abandoned, contact Customer Services on 01325 388799 or email the following details to customerservices@darlington.gov.uk

  • The make, type and colour of the vehicle and the registration number (if available)
  • The location and how long you think the vehicle has been there
  • The condition of the vehicle (for example: broken windows, flat tyres)
  • Whether or not there is a tax disc and, if so the expiry date

If the vehicle has a 'Police Aware' sticker on it, but it has been there for a long time please contact us.

Any vehicle which is causing an obstruction, whether abandoned or not should be reported to the Police on 0845 6060 365.

What to do if your car has been moved

If your car has been moved you should contact Customer Services on 01325 388799 and the Police on 0845 6060 365 to see if it has been picked up. You can get the vehicle back provided it has not already been destroyed, but only if you pay the charges and provide evidence that you are the owner. 

We work closely with the Police to check if abandoned vehicles have been stolen, but if your stolen vehicle has been removed by us then the charges will normally be paid by your insurance company provided you have notified the Police and the insurance company of the theft.

Untaxed vehicles

Untaxed vehicles are dealt with by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). If you want to report an untaxed vehicle you will need to contact the DVLA on tel 0800 032 5202. For further information see the DVLA Website [external link].

Abandoned vehicles are an eyesore and can attract vandalism and arson. We're committed to removing them from the streets as quickly as possible.

It is against the law to abandon a vehicle and you could be fined up to £2500 or face 3 months in prison (Refuse Disposal Amenity Act 1978 [external  link]).

Take your unwanted vehicle to a vehicle breakers yard or visit the Cartakeback website [external link] for more information.

Always inform the DVLA when you sell a vehicle