Abandoned Vehicles
Abandoned vehicles have a major affect on the quality of life of local residents. They can be dangerous for children, pets and wildlife as well as having a detrimental affect on the environment, business, tourism and the local economy. They can contribute to fear of crime and a sense of neighbourhood decline
However, the main source of the problem is the people that it most affects: members of the public.
Why is it illegal to abandon vehicles?
- They are a danger to everyone, and particularly children. There is a risk of serious injury from explosion or fire, or getting trapped within the vehicle.
- They become a beacon for crime and anti-social behaviour, including vandalism, graffiti and flytipping.
- They can cause damage to the environment from leaks of fluids and fuels into the surrounding area.
- They lower the quality of life in our neighbourhoods and can take up valuable parking places in residential areas.
The owner's perspective
There are a number of reasons why an owner may want to get rid of their vehicle. It may be an End of Life Vehicle (ELV) ie one that can no longer be used as a mode of transport due to general wear and tear, the withdrawal of leaded petrol, a road accident or vandalism.
There are just as many reasons why an unwanted vehicle may become abandoned.
- The vehicle's last owner did not know how to dispose of it properly eg it was no longer roadworthy and could not be driven to a treatment facility.
- Some local authorities provide a free vehicle uplift scheme while others charge for this service - however, not everyone knows what facilities are available.
- If uplift charges are in place (or wrongly perceived to be) the owner might try to avoid payment by leaving their vehicle to rust on their own land or by abandoning it elsewhere.
- The owner lives in a rural area where there is no local treatment facility, or due to the condition of the vehicle and its location it may be difficult to arrange for its removal.
- The vehicle may have failed its MOT; cost too much to maintain or repair; or the owner cannot meet the costs of speeding/parking fines etc.
- The owner is not the registered keeper.
- The vehicle may have been used for joyriding or other criminal activity.
- The owner may have died, disappeared or be in jail.
Disposing of End of Life Vehicles
Different options are available to owners for the responsible removal and disposal of their End of Life Vehicle. With the implementation of the End of Life Vehicles Directive (2000/53/EC) on 1st January 2007 the major vehicle manufacturers in the European Union have been made responsible for recycling their products.
As well as ensuring that vehicles are disposed of in an efficient and environmentally-friendly way, the law encourages manufacturers to make new cars easy to recycle in the longer term.
The dismantling of all abandoned and End of Life vehicles must be carried out at a licensed treatment facility. Take-back networks have been set up to recover vehicles and meet the producers’ obligations.