car dumped in street is leaking - what can i do?

pavlovs_dog

a ford fiesta which has been involved in an accident has been dumped outside our house for almost a fortnight. the front is squashed in somewhat, so its hard to say whether the car is in a drivable condition or not. it is leaking some sort of fuel or oil, and im worried that this could be a danger should someone chuck a cigarette butt into the gutter.

it is not a car we recognise as belonging to one of the neighbours (we live in a dead end street, so recognise the cars which are normally around). when we've had other vehicles dumped in the street in the past (as you may be able to guess, we dont live in Poshville ) they've never been taxed, so getting them removed was not a problem. but as this car is taxed, i dont know if the council/police are able to do anything. whilst it is inconvenient not being able to park outside the house to load/ unload (inlaws are currently in the middle of a renovation project), i appreciate we have no rights over that space just because it happens to be outside our house. i must admit however that im not overly thrilled about the prospect of it still being there leaking whatever it is all over the road in a fortnights time.

is there anyone i can contact about the vehicle, who will be able to encourage it's owner to do something a bit more responsible with it?

astonsmummy

Have you rang the police? do they know i was involved in an accident?

johnmc

Yes there is something you can do about it. I've had a number of cars towed and crushed for either no tax or being total wrecks.

Don't bother with the Police. Check both your District and County Council websites. Search for "abandoned cars". Also take a look on your Fire Service site. Any vehicle that's a fire risk will be removed by them. And they are NOT gentle.

pavlovs_dog

johnmc wrote: »

Yes there is something you can do about it. I've had a number of cars towed and crushed for either no tax or being total wrecks.

Don't bother with the Police. Check both your District and County Council websites. Search for "abandoned cars". Also take a look on your Fire Service site. Any vehicle that's a fire risk will be removed by them. And they are NOT gentle.

i was under the impression that abandoned cars as per the council's definition only applies to untaxed vehicles? this vehicle is taxed until jan 08 :eek: definately dont want it there until then.
as for it being a total wreck.. i wouldnt go that far. the front of the engine/bonnet is squashed inwards, but not so much that it has concertina'd IYKWIM. if i can find the batteries for the camera, i'll post a picture of the offending vehicle

peter999

pavlovs_dog wrote: »

i was under the impression that abandoned cars as per the council's definition only applies to untaxed vehicles? this vehicle is taxed until jan 08 :eek: definately dont want it there until then.
as for it being a total wreck.. i wouldnt go that far. the front of the engine/bonnet is squashed inwards, but not so much that it has concertina'd IYKWIM. if i can find the batteries for the camera, i'll post a picture of the offending vehicle

I think Councils have discretion:

http://www.haringey.gov.uk/index/environment_and_transport/parking/vehicle_removal/abandonedvehicles.htm

"What is an abandoned vehicle?

To be classified as abandoned, the vehicle has to meet certain criteria:

No current keeper
Signs of it not being used for a long period of time, such as rusty brakes, flat tyres and mould
Significantly damaged, run down or unroadworthy
Burnt out
Lacking one or more of its number plates
Containing waste
Flat tyres, wheels removed, broken windows
A vehicle can be classified as abandoned even if it is taxed and has a current MOT certificate."

peter999

pavlovs_dog

many thanks for that, that's considerably more detailed than what was available on my local council's website. will get on the phone to them tomorrow :beer:

Dave_Brooker

johnmc wrote: »

Yes there is something you can do about it. I've had a number of cars towed and crushed for either no tax or being total wrecks.

They don't do that so much anymore, after quite a few people went on holiday and came back to find their taxed cars (their leagally held property) had been crushed...

Who knows how much the councils had to pay out for being over zealous...

anewman

Petrol would have a very obvious smell, and diesel would be very slippy.

Other possibilities include transmission oil, which has a strong smell. Also brake fluid, coolant and windscreen wash. If this car has had a head on collision it could be that the radiator has been damaged and it is simply coolant antifreeze. If this is the case keep your pets away from it as they can be attracted by the sweet taste of antifreeze.

pavlovs_dog

anewman wrote: »

Petrol would have a very obvious smell, and diesel would be very slippy.

Other possibilities include transmission oil, which has a strong smell. Also brake fluid, coolant and windscreen wash. If this car has had a head on collision it could be that the radiator has been damaged and it is simply coolant antifreeze. If this is the case keep your pets away from it as they can be attracted by the sweet taste of antifreeze.

there's no noticable smell to suggest that it could be fuel, but it is definately oily in appearance :think: