Old Cars

A maximum penalty of 500 pounds or three months imprisonment, or both, can be imposed for abandoning a car either on open land or on the public highway. 

Vehicles found abandoned may be taken away and destroyed following the established legal procedure. If we find a vehicle that we believe to be abandoned we are legally required to affix a notice to the vehicle giving the owner a chance to remove it before we do. 

These notices are for a period of 24 hours and seven or fifteen days depending on the type of land (public highway or private land) and the condition of the vehicle. If when the notice has expired the vehicle is still in position we will arrange for it to be removed.

Unwanted vehicles can be disposed of through the Council or if your car is drivable it can be taken to EMR 106 Scrubbs Lane NW10 6QY. Telephone: 020 8969 1116. If you take the car to EMR directly it is a free service but please take proof of your address with you.

If you want the Council to remove the vehicle a surrender form needs to be completed and forwarded with the registration form (log book) to the abandoned Vehicle Section at the Council Offices, 37 Pembroke Road, London, W8 6PW. These are sent to the DVLA for cancellation and the Council's contractor collects the vehicle for disposal. There is no charge for this service.

Here you can download and print a Surrender Form [PDF file] (file size 92 Kb).

For further information please call Streetline on 020 7361 3001 or email: streetline@rbkc.gov.uk.