Abandoned vehicles can be unsafe and make our streets look untidy. We proactively investigate illegal parking and abandoned vehicles, but we cannot be everywhere at once.
We use reports from the public to help us identify and manage abandoned vehicles across Auckland. If a vehicle is illegally parked but not abandoned, you can report that here.
There are several steps we must follow before we can legally remove a vehicle. In most cases, this will begin with stickering and ticketing the vehicle while we complete our investigations and try to contact the owner. We will then tow it to get rid of it.
How to report an abandoned vehicle (3 steps)
You can report a vehicle as abandoned if it either:
- has an expired registration
- has no number plates attached
- is an immediate safety hazard.
We can investigate vehicles only on local roads within Auckland. We cannot take action on vehicles on private property.
For vehicles on beaches, maunga, parks or reserves contact Auckland Council on 0800 663 867.
For abandoned boats, contact the Harbourmaster on 09 362 0397.
When you make your report you’ll need to provide:
- the location of the vehicle
- the number plate - or let us know if there are no plates attached
- the vehicle make and model
- whether the vehicle displays a current registration label.
A photo showing the condition of the vehicle can help but is not mandatory.
To make a report, fill out our online form.
You need a MyAT account to report online. It takes less than 5 minutes to create a new MyAT account.
Report over the phone
Call our team on 09 355 3553 to report an abandoned vehicle.
You’ll need to provide:
- the location of the vehicle
- the number plate - or let us know if there are no plates attached
- the vehicle make and model
- whether the vehicle displays a current registration label.
Please do not call multiple times about the same vehicle. Once we have your report, we will take action as resource allows.
Our steps to remove an abandoned vehicle
There are specific steps we have to follow when dealing with an abandoned vehicle. This process follows Section 356 of the Local Government Act 1974 (opens in a new tab).
Unless a vehicle creates an immediate safety risk, we cannot tow it until we complete our investigations and try to contact the owner.
It can take up to 90 days before we tow an abandoned vehicle, while we complete our investigations.
Investigation and finding an owner
Once we receive a report, we will send parking officers to investigate and issue any relevant tickets to the vehicle.
We will try to find and contact the owner of the vehicle using registration details, engine numbers or chassis numbers.
We may move the vehicle to storage if necessary, but we must formally notify the police first. Vehicles are not always moved while we investigate.
Advertising and disposing (getting rid) of the vehicle
If we cannot find the owner or the owner does not respond, we will advertise our intention to sell or dispose of the vehicle. If the vehicle has no value, we may not advertise it.
We declare the vehicle abandoned if no owner or interested party (such as a finance company) comes forward.
If an owner contacts us at this stage, they can collect the vehicle after paying towing, storage and other fees.
Once we declare the vehicle abandoned, the vehicle is legally de-registered and disposed of to cover our costs. Vehicles cannot be sold to members of the public and are sold for the sole purpose of disposal.
We hold any remaining proceeds for 12 months. The previous owner can claim the money during this time.