Abandoned vehicles should be reported to the council primarily not police apparently.
Council’s policies may vary, but some notes just from my local council…
https://www.woking.gov.uk/environment/envcrime/abandonedvehicles
Interestingly
“under section 2(1) of the 1978 Act. the maximum penalty for abandoning a vehicle is a fine of £2,500 or 3 month’s imprisonment or both.”
Though conditions for being abandoned:
“Q1. How do I know if a vehicle is abandoned?
* One or more tyres flat
* Presence of litter, weeds etc under the vehicle indicating that it has not been moved for a considerable period of time
* Rusty brake discs, indicating vehicle has been in position for a long period of time
* Broken windscreen or any of the windows broken
* Presence of mould on either the inside or outside of the vehicle
* Presence of waste eg tyres inside the vehicle
* Absence of number plates
* Whether the vehicle is currently taxed* (and is subject to one or more of the above conditions)”
Used to have a car that frequently grew mould on the windows but was fine to drive 😀
Goes on to say they only consider removal after tax had expired “by two months and one day”.
That said the police can get involved…
“Under the Removal and Disposal of Vehicles Regulations 1986 the Police have powers to remove any vehicle which is left in breach of local traffic regulation orders, or is causing an obstruction or likely to cause a danger or which is broken down or abandoned without lawful authority.”
As I say, that’s based on my local council so it may differ for you, and Scottish law may differ again.
scotroutes – Member
A car can be insured when it’s SORNed (i.e. has no MOT).
Though SORN, it has to be kept off road.