Blog

Sheffield has been named the abandoned car capital of the UK.

FOI requests sent to local councils across the country by Scrap Car Comparison seem to highlight that there is a growing problem of abandoned cars in some cities. And the results revealed that in 2022, Sheffield topped the ranks with the most abandoned cars for the year.

Ranked above all cities outside the Greater London area, the number of abandoned car reports reached 1,866, 238 more reports than second-placed city Brighton. The research, which explored data from different UK councils, suggests that Sheffield may have a growing problem with abandoned cars, as the city has ranked lower in previous years.

Read more:

The data showed that over the past two years, from January 2022 to December 2022, Sheffield saw 4,669 reports of abandoned cars, making it the fourth worst city in two years, after Bradford, Coventry and Brighton. and Hove. However, in 2022, numbers in Sheffield have skyrocketed, while numbers in Bradford have dropped significantly.

Despite the large number of reports, the Council states that of the 1,866 reports made, only 110 cars were considered to be actually abandoned and subsequently destroyed following reviews by Council officials. Any report made by a member of the public regarding an abandoned car is always scrutinized and reviewed.

A Sheffield City Council spokesperson said: “Not all reported vehicles are considered abandoned. Following investigation, in 2022, 110 of the 1,866 reports were considered abandoned and then destroyed.”

“Signs that a vehicle may be abandoned include significant damage, broken down, or unroadworthy, for example, flat tires, missing wheels or broken windows, missing license plates, and being left in the same location for a significant amount of time. Residents who suspect a vehicle may have been abandoned can report it online or through Sheffield City Council’s call center, 0114 2734567.”

Vehicles that are blocking the road or appear to have been stolen, acting suspiciously should be reported to the police on 101. Untaxed vehicles on the roads can be reported to the DVLA.

Read more: Sheffield probation service scores just one point out of 27 in latest inspection

Abandoning a vehicle is a criminal offense and anyone found to have done so will face a minimum fine of £250 plus the cost of disposal and storage fees, and in some cases may face fines of £2500 and up to three months in prison. . Anyone in Sheffield who has a junk vehicle must go to a licensed disposal facility or use a charity scheme.

More information on abandoned vehicles can be found on the Sheffield City Council website.

READ NEXT: