Untaxed or abandoned cars can take up valuable parking spaces, spoil neighbourhoods, and even pose safety risks to drivers and pedestrians. If you suspect a vehicle on your street has been left untaxed (without valid road tax), there are steps you can take to ensure it’s properly removed from the road.
There’s no need to suffer in silence while an untaxed car blights your local area. Thanks to new online tools from the authorities, UK residents can easily check a vehicle’s tax status and report an untaxed vehicle for enforcement action. These tools help target only genuine offenders by letting you confirm the car is truly untaxed before you make a report.
How to Check if a Car is Untaxed
It’s important to verify the car’s status before reporting. Remember, it’s not illegal for someone to park their car on a public street (even outside your house) for an extended period if the vehicle is legal.
Check online: Use the UK government’s online vehicle tax checker (DVLA service on Gov.uk) to see if the car is taxed. You will need:
- Vehicle registration number
- Make, model, and colour
Enter these details to instantly check the tax status.
Click here to check if the car is taxed.
What to Do if the Vehicle is Untaxed or Declared SORN
If the online check shows the vehicle is untaxed, you can move on to reporting it.
If it’s listed as SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification), it must not be parked on a public road. A SORN vehicle found on the street can be reported just like an untaxed vehicle.
However, if it’s on a driveway or other private land, you cannot report it as untaxed. In that case, see the section on How to Report Other Abandoned Vehicles.
Information Needed to Report an Untaxed Vehicle
Have this information ready before reporting:
- Vehicle registration number
- Make, model, and colour
- Street name, town, and postcode where the vehicle is parked
- Usually times the vehicle is present (if it comes and goes)
Without these details, your report may not be processed.
How to Report an Untaxed Vehicle
Once confirmed as untaxed or illegally on the road under SORN, you can report it via the official DVLA online form.
Click here to report an untaxed vehicle.
You can report anonymously, and your submission will be passed to enforcement teams.
What Happens After Reporting
After you report the vehicle, enforcement officers may:
- Clamp the car and attach a notice
- Give the owner a set period to pay tax and fees
- Remove and impound the car if no action is taken
- Scrap or auction it if unclaimed
The process is progressive, so don’t expect immediate removal.
How to Report Other Abandoned Vehicles
If the vehicle appears truly abandoned (damaged, missing parts, unused for a long period), report it to your local council.
The council will investigate, and if confirmed abandoned, arrange removal — sometimes within 24 hours.
Find out how to report an abandoned vehicle here
FAQs – Reporting an Untaxed Vehicle
Yes, you can report an untaxed vehicle without giving your details.
No, enforcement follows a process: clamp, notice, waiting period, then removal if necessary.
You should report it to your local council as an abandoned vehicle, not as untaxed.
If it’s on private land, you can’t report it for being untaxed. You may need to take civil action or contact the council if it’s abandoned.
It’s not required, but photographs can help enforcement teams verify your report more quickly.
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I work around an industrial estate in Whitstable Kent.
Parking is a massive problem with many garages Parking untaxed cars and vans around the estate. There’s more untaxed vehicles even Parked on double yellow lines. On junctions around the estate. It’s the John Wilson business park Whitstable Kent. Especially the roads around the vehicle repair garages, like the road by units 179 down, including the entrance to them units. It’s getting ridiculous.
I have reported 2 untaxed vehicles which at first I though abandoned.. however I now think they are being left there by a ‘car dealer’ who obviously thinks he’s within his rights to leave untaxed cars parked on the road .. they may have an MOT but being untaxed on a public road invalidates the insurance .. if they are insured.
There is an untaxed no mot or insurance at bottom of James Street Penrith Cumbria ca11 9by..It has been there for 3 years not moved.I’ve reported to the council but they say it’s not abandoned because I no who owns it
This car
R208is still sitting on the road even though its still sorn its engine is out on thd roadits still not Moted or Taxed amd I’m having and other people are having to walk up other streets to get to our cars and go to work because this car is still on lomond drive still sorn and not taxed or moted it still on the public road taken up other people’s spaces to parkThank you for bringing this to attention. I understand your frustration with the situation regarding the car
R208. If the vehicle is SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification), it shouldn’t be on a public road, as that would be a violation of the rules. Additionally, without MOT or tax, it’s illegal for it to be driven or parked on public roads.You may want to report this to the local council or the DVLA, as they can take appropriate action regarding untaxed, SORNed, or abandoned vehicles. It’s important that everyone has fair access to parking, especially when it’s affecting your ability to get to work. Hopefully, the authorities will resolve this promptly.
Untaxed vehicles on Parkfield Crescent
There us 2 untaxed vehicles in my street Middleton road BS11