Abandoned vehicles

Abandoned vehicles should be reported to ELVIS - the End of Life Vehicle Impound Scheme, a joint operation between Northamptonshire's Arson Task Force, Northamptonshire Police and North and West Northamptonshire Councils.

Untaxed vehicles

The DVLA is responsible for investigating untaxed vehicles that are being used or kept on the road.

Report an untaxed vehicle

No MOT or insurance

The ELVIS partnership can't take any action about parked or unattended vehicles with no MOT or insurance.

These vehicles are automatically added to the police ANPR system for enforcement. Somebody has to be seen driving the vehicle by a police officer who can then take action. If it's classed as a dangerous vehicle it can be stopped from being driven any further.

There is no power to remove a vehicle from the highway with no valid MOT - but you can report it to Northamptonshire Police directly.

Causing an obstruction

If the vehicle is causing an obstruction (rather than abandoned) - email [email protected] with a photo or call 101.

Abandoned vehicles

An abandoned vehicle is one which has not been moved or attended to for a long time. There may be visible damage to suggest a crash or signs the vehicle has been stolen, such as:

significant damage
being run-down or unroadworthy (including being very rusty)
missing or suspicious number plates
broken windows
flat tyres
a lot of rubbish inside it
broken or loose ignition
broken steering column
being left unlocked

If it's on private land, you can only report it if you're the landowner and the vehicle has significant defects.

When you report a vehicle you need the registration number, make and model, colour, location and the condition of the vehicle.

Report an abandoned vehicle

Due to the volume of reports received, you won't get a personalised response or updates about the vehicle.

Last updated 08 April 2025