Abandoned vehicles

No one likes to see abandoned vehicles turning Luton into an unsightly mess, so we aim to deal with them quickly and efficiently.

Luton Borough Council has a statutory duty under the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978 and Removal and Disposal of Vehicles Act 1986 to remove vehicles that have been abandoned on the public highway or on council owned land. The council will not remove abandoned vehicles from privately owned land but will provide this service if permission has been given by the landowner.

The council has a team of six officers who will place a fluorescent orange removal and impounding notice on an abandoned vehicle. After 24 hours the vehicle will be removed by Universal Vehicle Services and taken to a secure compound for a period 7 days. The council will use a direct link with the Driving Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) database in Swansea to get details of registered owners so that it can issue a letter to the person believed to be the owner of an abandoned vehicle telling them that their vehicle has been impounded.

The vehicle will automatically be disposed of at an approved/authorised site if it has not been claimed by the registered owner after 7 days.

Vehicles which have:

no wheels
jacked up on bricks, crates etc
smashed windows
shards of metal sticking out from them
filled with rubbish are dangerous and a hazard to the public and will be removed without notice under the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984

Recently, the council has entered into a partnership with the DVLA to instantly remove and impound any vehicle on the public highway that is unlicensed. The vehicle will be stored for a a period of fourteen days incurring charges that the owner will have to pay. The vehicle will be scrapped or auctioned after fourteen days if it has not been claimed by its owner.

Luton Borough Council is a partner in joint working with the fire service, police and DVLA to tackle vehicle, building and refuse related arson, abandoned and unlicensed vehicles and other local crime issues. So far, eighteen 'action days' targeting all wards in the borough have taken place. More 'action days' are planned and will be targeting your area soon so we would encourage everyone either living, working or visiting Luton to report abandoned vehicles and unlicensed vehicles in the borough.

The council offers a free collection and disposal service of unwanted vehicles to people living in Luton. So, if you have a vehicle that has failed its MOT or has reached the end of its life, don't dump it, call us and we will remove it free of charge.
Abandoned Vehicles Hotline 01582 546896 / 510333
e-mail us at abandoned.vehicles@luton.gov.uk .
or fill in our Online form