How to report an abandoned car

If you believe that a vehicle has been abandoned on public land or part of your own property, you should contact your local council to make a report.

The process for dealing with abandoned vehicles may vary somewhat between councils, however vehicles that are reported as abandoned are usually attended by a council ranger.

The ranger will place a sticker on the vehicle to mark that it has been reported and request that the owner move the vehicle to private property within a set period of time, which is usually 24 hours.

If the vehicle is not removed during that time, the council will search for the vehicle owner’s details using the make, model and registration number and attempt to contact the owner.

In the event that the owner cannot be contacted or does not respond by a due date, the vehicle may be impounded and towed from the site.

Generally, abandoned vehicles are taken to an impounding facility or automotive auction site where they may eventually be sold by public tender.

While it is impounded, the owner may contact the council or organise release of the vehicle by showing relevant identification.

Vehicle owners whose vehicles are identified as abandoned will likely be required to pay a fee to have the vehicle released and any relevant parking fines.