How we decide if a vehicle is abandoned
We have set out guidelines to determine if a vehicle has been abandoned:
- How long the vehicle has been left
- Overall condition, age and appearance of the vehicle
- Whether there is a registered keeper/valid road tax according to the DVLA
- If there is a number plate
- If it looks driveable
- Security
- How close it is to the last known registered keeper's address
- If it has rubbish/waste inside
A vehicle must be left in the same place for 21 days before Inspectors will visit, to determine if the vehicle meets any other abandoned vehicle criteria
There may be legitimate reasons why a car has been left somewhere, for example:
- the owners are visiting a relative
- the owners are sick or in hospital
- the owners are on holiday
- the vehicle has broken down
If the vehicle is parked where it is obstructing a private dropped crossing (i.e. outside a house) then a request needs to be made to Parking Enforcement who will check and then refer the issue for enforcement action to be taken.
If a vehicle is parked on the highway and does not have valid road tax, this can be reported to the contact centre, please telephone 0808 583 4333 Coventry City Council has devolved powers from the DVLA to investigate untaxed or SORN vehicles parked on the public highway.
Customer Services
Open 9am–5pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). If you do need to call us, please try to avoid our busiest times of lunchtime and early afternoon. Many queries relating to Council Tax, benefits or bin and bulky waste collections can be dealt with directly by logging into My Account.
