Abandoned vehicles

Reporting an abandoned car

You can report an abandoned vehicle to Sussex police. The vehicle will be assessed against criteria for abandonment. If no one responsible for the vehicle can be found and its condition suggests that it has been abandoned, we'll usually remove it, depending where it is.

You can also phone or textphone (minicom) 01273 29 29 29, or send an email to abandoned.vehicles@brighton-hove.gov.uk to report an abandoned vehicle.

Cars abandoned in car parks, on housing land or on private property

The council has a duty to remove abandoned vehicles on the public highway. On other land, such as car parks or private property, written permission is required from the owner responsible or their agent before we can investigate.

Untaxed vehicles

Paper tax discs no longer need to be displayed on a vehicle. You can check the tax status of a vehicle on GOV.UK.

The DVLA is responsible for dealing with untaxed vehicles. You can report an untaxed vehicle on GOV.UK.

Dangerously parked or obstructive vehicles

Dangerously parked or obstructive vehicles should be reported directly to our parking team:

• Telephone 0345 6035 469 and select option 2
• Report an illegally parked vehicle
• In case of emergency, call Sussex Police on 101

Caravans and trailers

It is illegal to store a caravan, trailer or similar vehicle on the public highway in Brighton & Hove.

Find out what you can do if you own a caravan or report one on the public highway.

The duty of the council

The council has a duty to remove vehicles that are abandoned 'within the meaning of the law' - meaning that all rights and concerns in a vehicle have been given up and that no one responsible for the vehicle can be traced. Being untaxed, unroadworthy or illegally parked does not make a vehicle abandoned.

If the council removes a vehicle that is not abandoned under the terms of the law, we may become liable for any claims for compensation.