Report an abandoned vehicle or anti-social driving

You can report a suspected abandoned vehicle or anti-social driving:

See also:

Report abandoned vehicles

We appreciate that it can be frustrating to residents when a vehicle remains static for a significant amount of time.  However, if there are no parking restrictions on a road, vehicles holding current road tax can legally park there at any time.

An abandoned vehicle is one that looks unroadworthy or damaged, and is untaxed, uninsured and without a current MOT. If a vehicle is not currently taxed but is in regular use, it is not an abandoned vehicle.

If you think a vehicle has been abandoned

A vehicle can be reported as abandoned if it is untaxed and matches any of the following criteria:

  • The vehicle is full of rubbish
  • The vehicle number plates are missing
  • The vehicle has parts missing, such as bumper and tyres
  • There are signs of vandalism
  • The vehicle has flat tyres
  • The vehicle has wheels missing
  • The vehicle windscreen is broken or missing
  • Seats in the vehicle are missing
  • Doors in the vehicle are missing
  • Any of the vehicle doors are open
  • Any of the vehicle windows are broken or missing
  • The vehicle is burnt out
  • The vehicle is just a shell

Information we need before we can investigate whether a vehicle may have been abandoned

We need the following information to start and carry out any investigations:

  • The vehicle registration plate details
  • The make, model and colour of the vehicle
  • The exact location of the vehicle

If the vehicle does not have registration plates, then the investigation will take longer.

If you think a vehicle has been abandoned, please report it to us through our online form (below). This provides the information we need to assess whether a vehicle may have been abandoned and to investigate where necessary. If we think that a vehicle may have been abandoned, a council officer will attend and make an assessment.

Vehicles we don't investigate as abandoned

Being untaxed, un-roadworthy, or illegally parked does not necessarily make a vehicle abandoned:

  • If a vehicle holds current road tax, we won't investigate it as being abandoned
  • If the vehicle is being used/driven
  • If the vehicle is on private land, unless written permission is given by the landowner to deal with the vehicle in question
  • If the vehicle is parked on the highway outside someone's house - although the householder may not like this, it is not an offence

The following are dealt with by Sussex Police (101 non-emergency number)

Vehicles without road tax or an MOT

The DVLA are responsible for dealing with untaxed vehicles:

The police are responsible for dealing with vehicles without a valid MOT:

Caravans and trailers

These should only be reported if they are clearly in a poor condition or full of waste.

Our process for the removal of abandoned vehicles from the public highway

Please note that the vehicle removal process can take a few weeks due to the follows.

  • A council officer will visit the site and photograph the vehicle and make an assessment of the vehicle
  • A warning notice will normally be attached to the vehicle
  • A report is logged, and registered keeper details will be requested
  • If we receive no response to the warning notice within 7 to 15 days, we write to the registered keeper (if there is one) to see if they claim the vehicle
  • If there is no response to the letters sent to the registered keeper
  • If the registered keeper does not make contact within 7 to 15 days depending on which letter has been sent, and all inquiries are exhausted we will begin arrangements for an approved contractor to remove and store the vehicle for a short period
  • If the vehicle is not claimed after removal, it will be disposed of in a manner agreed by West Sussex County Council with the contractor
  • We decide from the evidence whether to remove the vehicle or not

How we assess whether a vehicle is abandoned

We have a duty to arrange the removal of vehicles that an authorised officer of the council deems abandoned 'within the meaning of the law'. If we remove a vehicle that is not abandoned 'within the meaning of the law', the council may become liable for any claims for compensation. 

If we can't find anyone responsible for the vehicle, and its condition suggests that it has been abandoned, we may remove it.

If an owner comes forward at any stage of the case, we no longer continue with our enquiries and the vehicle is classed as not abandoned.

Vehicles abandoned in car parks, on housing land or on private property

The council has a duty to remove abandoned vehicles on the public highway. For other land, such as car parks or private property, The vehicle needs to be reported by the landowner after the landowner has made every effort to trace the owner of the vehicle, there is an admin fee involved in these cases and we need written permission from the landowner or their agent before we can investigate.

No matter who owns the land, the law states that the vehicle must be in the open air. We don't investigate any vehicles that are under cover.

A 15 days notice will be attached to the vehicle that the council propose to remove the vehicle.

Authorities do not have to remove an abandoned vehicle from land in the open air if the cost of moving it to the nearest highway is high (for example, special machinery is needed).

Authorities cannot be held liable for damage resulting from abandoned vehicles.

You can report an abandoned vehicle using the form below:

Note: before you report a vehicle please read the information on the page above.

Report an abandoned vehicle

When a report is received:

  • we aim to inspect vehicles that have been reported to us within one working day
  • if a vehicle does appear to be abandoned or unroadworthy, we will write to the registered keeper to advise that the vehicle will be removed for disposal if it is not moved within seven days
  • if the vehicle is not registered to a keeper, or is in a dangerous condition, we will remove it as quickly as possible

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Report anti-social driving

You can report anti-social driving, including speeding, dangerous driving or driving while using a mobile phone, to Operation Crackdown, a joint initiative with Sussex Police.

You can report anti-social driving using the form below:

Report anti-social driving to Operation Crackdown

When a report is received, Sussex Police will then investigate. Depending on how serious the incident is, whether the vehicle has been reported before and whether the driver falls into a high risk category, one of the following will happen next:

  • Sussex Police Road Policing Unit will take appropriate action
  • a warning letter will be sent to the registered keeper of the vehicle
  • your report will be logged in the Operation Crackdown database, providing a history of the vehicle and allegations made against it
  • your report will help Sussex Police identify areas where anti-social driving is an issue

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Page last updated: 12 June 2026

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