Slough Borough Council

What We Do As a Council

We work hard to try and keep the streets clear of unwanted vehicles. We know how badly they affect people's lives. The council works with both the Police and the Driver Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) to get rid of cars that have been reported as abandoned.

Abandoned vehicles are put through a series of checks. We cannot be sure a car is abandoned until these checks prove it. After a vehicle is reported we inspect it - normally within two days of the first report. Then:

• If the vehicle is dangerous it is removed within 24 hours of its inspection
• If the inspector feels the vehicle, although not in a dangerous condition, is still abandoned they will arrange for its removal. This is normally done within the next 24/48hrs, subject to checks being carried out.
• Checks are made - is there is an insurance claim? Has the car has been stolen? Is it being financed?
• Official enquiries are made to trace the last registered keeper

If the checks are clear and the registered keeper does not live near the vehicle we arrange to remove it. Although the council carries out these checks as quickly as possible, enquiries sometimes take a period of weeks.

Service standard

When an abandoned vehicle is reported to us, we shall visit to confirm that the car is in fact abandoned within one working day. If the vehicle is abandoned, we shall authorise our contractor to remove it within one working day.