Abandoned Cars
Discussion
Someone has 'abandoned' a J reg Peugeot 405 on my Father in Law's 'driveway' (a parking area behind a flat actually) and the police have been giving me conflicting stories on what I can do about it.
Wimbledon police said that I could move the car from the private property, but I'd be liable for any damage caused and also liable if the car were then put in a dangerous position.
Kingston police said I could move the car off his property using 'reasonable force only'.
Which is true?
So far I've taken the rear quarter window out and pushed the car to one side, but to get it off the driveway completely I am going to have to break the steering lock which will mean causing a lot more damage to the column/ignition barrel area.
While I'm here I'll have a little whinge too.
It seems if someone dumps a car on your property, you really are a bit stuffed. The police won't do a thing if its private property. The council will only come out if you fax them confirming you will be their towing fees (£50) and be liable for any other costs. And even then they'll post a 7 day statutory notice on the car, so you're stuck with it for another week.
The police say the vehicle in question is not registered locally, yet it had Manheim Auction stickers all over it. Whenw I called them they wouldn't give out the vendors name and address, but they DID confirm that he lived on the same street as my Father in law. (The car was withdrawn from sale).
So the cheeky sod who dumped the car has almost certainly put a false address on the V5 too, so he won't get any parking tickets if I DO break the steering lock and put the thing on a yellow line. Police weren't interested in that either. Surely it is an offence to make false statements on the V5?
It pisses me off that I register, insure and tax all my vehicles properly (well most of the time) and yet these scumbags do what they like and there seems little anyone can do about it.
I'll probably get sued for smashing the back window now.
Hmmmph.
Wimbledon police said that I could move the car from the private property, but I'd be liable for any damage caused and also liable if the car were then put in a dangerous position.
Kingston police said I could move the car off his property using 'reasonable force only'.
Which is true?
So far I've taken the rear quarter window out and pushed the car to one side, but to get it off the driveway completely I am going to have to break the steering lock which will mean causing a lot more damage to the column/ignition barrel area.
While I'm here I'll have a little whinge too.
It seems if someone dumps a car on your property, you really are a bit stuffed. The police won't do a thing if its private property. The council will only come out if you fax them confirming you will be their towing fees (£50) and be liable for any other costs. And even then they'll post a 7 day statutory notice on the car, so you're stuck with it for another week.
The police say the vehicle in question is not registered locally, yet it had Manheim Auction stickers all over it. Whenw I called them they wouldn't give out the vendors name and address, but they DID confirm that he lived on the same street as my Father in law. (The car was withdrawn from sale).
So the cheeky sod who dumped the car has almost certainly put a false address on the V5 too, so he won't get any parking tickets if I DO break the steering lock and put the thing on a yellow line. Police weren't interested in that either. Surely it is an offence to make false statements on the V5?
It pisses me off that I register, insure and tax all my vehicles properly (well most of the time) and yet these scumbags do what they like and there seems little anyone can do about it.
I'll probably get sued for smashing the back window now.
Hmmmph.
quote:
So far I've taken the rear quarter window out and pushed the car to one side, but to get it off the driveway completely I am going to have to break the steering lock which will mean causing a lot more damage to the column/ignition barrel area.
Once saw a roadbuilding team moving a car who's owner had ignored the great big "move your car, 'cos we're going to resurface the road" sticker. 4 guys, 4 spades (one shoved under each tyre) - car dragged down the road, no damage. Result!
Thanks for all your comments.
The road I want to leave it on (with double yellow lines and lots of traffic wardens) is unfortunately a good 100m from where it is now, so bouncing is out of the question. I'd considered a trolley jack but I've got a 19.99 Halfords one - moving it 100m on this may be a little frustrating, the front wheels are locked at an angle so I can't push the car in a straight line.
The car is not taxed now.
I'm tempted to completely smash the steering column to bits to break the lock - its still minimum force because I can't move the car any other way!
I just think its ridiculous I have to go to these lengths.
There are abandoned cars everywhere now because they have no scrap value - most places charge £25-50 to take the vehicle, even if you deliver it to them.
The road I want to leave it on (with double yellow lines and lots of traffic wardens) is unfortunately a good 100m from where it is now, so bouncing is out of the question. I'd considered a trolley jack but I've got a 19.99 Halfords one - moving it 100m on this may be a little frustrating, the front wheels are locked at an angle so I can't push the car in a straight line.
The car is not taxed now.
I'm tempted to completely smash the steering column to bits to break the lock - its still minimum force because I can't move the car any other way!
I just think its ridiculous I have to go to these lengths.
There are abandoned cars everywhere now because they have no scrap value - most places charge £25-50 to take the vehicle, even if you deliver it to them.
I think your problem has been to assume the police might help. Now if you do wreck it or leave it somewhere and someone else reports it, the only contact the police have relating to it may be you.
If I was you i'd still move it. If you know someone with a Landrover, they can usually drag cars with brakes on if they start with a bit of a jerk (ie tie big rope to something solid and leave rope slack to that Landie is going about 15mph when the rope goes tight to get the initial momentum going). It works and it's also quite good fun.
If I was you i'd still move it. If you know someone with a Landrover, they can usually drag cars with brakes on if they start with a bit of a jerk (ie tie big rope to something solid and leave rope slack to that Landie is going about 15mph when the rope goes tight to get the initial momentum going). It works and it's also quite good fun.
Is it any good, I need a cheap estate. If it is untaxed you can apply for a V5 and then it'l be yours to do with as you choose....
If it is crap remove the number plates, smash a few windows, headlight etc and then report it to the coulcil as a dangerous dumped car. they remove those faster...
If it is crap remove the number plates, smash a few windows, headlight etc and then report it to the coulcil as a dangerous dumped car. they remove those faster...
Its a saloon, its done 104K but it actually looks quite nice,. Got a good Clarion in it....
Anyway that was one of my points - unless its been set fire to, the council won't do ANYTHING if its on private land - unless you pay them.
And before anyone suggests it - its too close to the building to set fire to it.
Anyway that was one of my points - unless its been set fire to, the council won't do ANYTHING if its on private land - unless you pay them.
And before anyone suggests it - its too close to the building to set fire to it.
I read about new laws soon to be here about scrapping cars. There will be lots more dumping - pulling out all the plastic and drinking the battery acid and shredding the tyres and emptying the opal fruits wrappers out of cars before you crush them and turn the whole thing into shelters for nuclear protesters is the way forward - shame really, used to enjoy pulling cars to bits down the scrappy.
Well I'd help my self to the stereo then, and depending what it is you may find some 'TVR' bits lurking in there that may be of use, strip it of what you what/need/can sell, roll it out into the road and leave it there, I wouldn't even make the call, I'd let them find it blocking the road and deny all knowledge of every seeing it move 
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