Can I just tow a vehicle away because it appears abandoned?
No assumption should be made that appearance alone creates a right to tow. The circumstances, ownership position, land arrangement and legal basis for movement need to be reviewed first. Section 54 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 restricts moving or immobilising motor vehicles without lawful authority.
Does putting a Torts notice on the windscreen give authority to remove the vehicle?
No. A windscreen notice should not be treated as automatic authority to tow, sell or dispose of a vehicle. The Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977 contains procedures for uncollected goods within a bailment context, and whether those provisions apply depends on the facts.
Is there a standard 7, 14 or 28-day legal notice period?
Not for every private commercial-land vehicle case. The applicable period depends on the legal route. Where the Torts Act Schedule 1 power-of-sale procedure applies, the notice must allow a reasonable opportunity to take delivery. If money is already payable by the bailor to the bailee in respect of the goods before the notice, Schedule 1 specifies a minimum three-month period for that notice of intention to sell.
What if the registered keeper or owner cannot be traced?
An inability to trace someone does not mean the vehicle can automatically be sold. Under section 12 of the Torts Act, the statutory sale provisions include requirements concerning reasonable tracing or communication steps and the bailee being reasonably satisfied about ownership. We record the enquiries made and assess the next step from the evidence available.
Do you carry out DVLA / keeper enquiries?
Where a lawful and appropriate basis exists for the particular case, vehicle or keeper enquiries can form part of the service. The type of enquiry and information available depends on the circumstances and applicable data-access rules.
Do local authorities ever remove vehicles from private land?
There are statutory local-authority powers and duties concerning vehicles that appear abandoned without lawful authority on land in the open air. Whether the authority will act in a particular case depends on the statutory conditions and local process. Our website is focused on commercial private-land instructions where the client requires a specialist case review and removal service.
What happens after a vehicle is lawfully removed?
It may need to be stored while ownership, collection or other post-removal issues are dealt with. Sale or disposal is a separate step and is only progressed where the relevant legal basis and notice requirements have been satisfied.
Do you deal with vehicles left by former commercial occupiers?
Yes. Those cases often require careful review of the previous commercial occupation, any contractual terms, known ownership information and the circumstances in which the vehicle was left before the correct route can be confirmed.
Where do you operate?
The service is designed for commercial instructions across England and Wales.
Who provides the service?
Abandoned Vehicle Services is provided by Executive UK Group Ltd.