Untaxed / Abandoned Vehicles

Untaxed vehicles

Vehicles without valid road tax that are being kept on the highway or public space, but not abandoned.

It is an offence to use or keep on a public highway (this includes council-owned car parks) a motor vehicle (registered in the UK) without a valid current vehicle licence (Road Tax).

Report an untaxed vehicle to Penham Excel (external site)

What is an abandoned vehicle?

We can remove abandoned vehicles from the highway and public spaces. Before reporting a suspected abandoned vehicle, please check to see if you think the vehicle is really abandoned. Please note – when making your report, you must state the reason why you think this vehicle should be considered as being abandoned. If you do not provide this information, we cannot investigate the matter further.

A vehicle may be abandoned if one or more of the following applies:

  • It has been stationary and has not moved for a long time (a month or more, rather than just a few weeks) and it is not being used
  • It is burnt out, significantly damaged, in a poor condition, rusty or mouldy, has flat tyres or removed wheels
  • It has number plate(s) missing
  • If the vehicle is also out of road tax, please do not use the Suspected Abandoned Vehicle reporting route. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) have a dedicated service for untaxed vehicles, and these will potentially be removed from the highway sooner if the vehicle meets the untaxed thresholds. Please report these at Penham Untaxed Vehicle.

Please note: Do not use the Suspected Abandoned Vehicle Reporting tool for the following matters: -

Un-insured Vehicles / No Valid MOT Certificate

Sandwell Council does not have powers to remove a vehicle from the highway if it does not have a valid MOT certificate or if it is un-insured.

Pavement Parking

Parking on a section of public footway could be considered to be "obstruction of the public highway". If there are waiting restrictions (yellow lines) on the highway adjacent to the pavement, a parking ticket could be issued. Waiting restrictions cover the highway from centre of highway to the back of footpath.

If there are no waiting restrictions on the highway adjacent to the pavement you can still report the matter to the Police. A Police Officer may deem that it an "obstruction of the public highway".

Report a suspected abandoned vehicle

Fees and charges

Abandoning a vehicle is a criminal offence, carrying a maximum penalty of a fine of £2,500 or three months imprisonment, or both.
Owners of abandoned vehicles are also liable for the following costs: -

  • £200 fixed penalty notice for abandoning their vehicle (issued by and payable to the Council)
  • £200 vehicle release fee (issued by and payable to Penham Excel Ltd)
  • £21 per day storage to a maximum of 21 days (issued by and payable to Penham Excel Ltd)

Please note: Vehicles that are parked inconveniently are not classed as abandoned vehicles unless they meet the criteria above. If a vehicle is causing an obstruction, please report it to West Midlands Police or by calling 101.