How to report an abandoned vehicle

Suffolk Coastal Services, our partner company, carries out the removal of abandoned vehicles on behalf of the Council.

If you think a vehicle has been abandoned you can:

• Report it to Suffolk Coastal Services, by calling 01394 444000 or sending an email to scsltd@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk - giving the vehicle details and location.
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• Report it online using the report a problem facility on the onesuffolk website (new window).
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• Write to Suffolk Coastal Services, Ufford Park Offices, Yarmouth Road, Ufford, Woodbridge, IP13 6ET - giving the vehicle details and location.

If you think a vehicle has been involved in a crime you should contact Suffolk Police on 01473 613500 or Crime Stoppers on 0800 555111.

We can remove vehicles from the highway, sometimes the same day they are reported. We also remove abandoned vehicles from private or occupied land where a notice is put on the vehicle (unless the occupier of that land has requested immediate removal) stating that we intend to move it in 15 days time.

We work closely with the police, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and credit checking agencies to tackle the problem of abandoned vehicles and the DVLA are informed of any vehicles found on the highway without a valid tax disc.

Vehicle owners are liable for the cost of removal, storage and disposal and will only be able to claim back their vehicle, if it has not already been destroyed or disposed of, after paying all fees due. It is an offence to abandon a vehicle and we can impose a £200 fixed penalty fine on the person that has abandoned the vehicle or they may also face prosecution. Over 90% of confirmed abandoned vehicles are destroyed once we have removed them.  

Scrapping your vehicle

Responsible vehicle owners scrap their vehicles at an authorised treatment facility (ATF). Only an authorised treatment facility can legally scrap a vehicle. When you take your car, light van or three-wheeled motor vehicle (excluding motor tricycles), to an authorised treatment facility, they'll make sure it's dismantled in an environmentally friendly way.

They should give you a Certificate of Destruction (CoD) straight away if they agree to take your vehicle. They’ll also tell the DVLA that you’re no longer responsible for the vehicle. Keep the certificate as proof that the vehicle has been destroyed and you’re no longer responsible for it.

If you have a vehicle other than those already mentioned, you still need to take your vehicle to an authorised treatment facility to ensure it’s destroyed to specific environmental standards. They’ll arrange for the vehicle record at the DVLA, to be updated with a Notification of Destruction.

You can find your nearest authorised treatment facility on the Environment Agency website (new window).