Ealing has emerged as one of the London boroughs most affected by vehicle abandonment, according to new data obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.
During 2024, Ealing recorded 2,009 reports of abandoned cars, the second highest figure in London – highlighting a trend that appears to be impacting outer boroughs.
While Redbridge takes the unwanted top spot with 2,473 reports, Ealing follows close behind, narrowly beating Sutton with 1,962. Other boroughs in the top ten include Bromley, Barnet, and Merton.
The findings, compiled by Scrap Car Comparison, also reveal some huge increases compared to previous years.
In its FOI request, the company asked: “We are conducting research in relation to the number of cars that are abandoned per year, and wondered if you hold the following data please: The number of vehicles reported as abandoned within your area, broken down by month across the last year (from January 2024 to January 2025). If possible, please also include the make and model and registration year of any of these abandoned vehicles.”
Ealing saw an 23% increase in reported cases compared to the previous study in 2022/23, when it logged just 1,629 abandoned vehicles. Sutton saw a 266% increase from 536 while Lambeth tops the increase charts with a massive 600% increase from 32 in 2023 to 224 in 2024.
Matt Clamp, customer service manager at Scrap Car Comparison said: “Abandoned cars don’t just cause inconvenience by taking up space on roads, paths or parking bays – they can pose serious environmental risks. Leaking fluids may pollute soil and water, and deteriorating materials can release harmful toxins into the air.”
He added: “Some abandoned vehicles may be linked to more suspicious circumstances, which is why it’s important to report any suspected cases to your local council.”
Speaking to EALING.NEWS, an Ealing Council spokesperson offered clarification on the figures:
“The data reported in the FOI is the number of service requests received by people who chose ‘abandoned vehicle’ as the category for their request, and this is not verified by council staff as we don’t retain this information.”
The spokesperson also highlighted that not all reports categorised as abandoned vehicles reflect true cases. They said: “It should be noted that abandoned bicycles, lime bikes, shopping trollies, inconveniently located vehicles and illegally parked vehicles are frequently reported as an abandoned vehicles, making the total number of abandoned vehicles appear much higher than it actually is.”
According to the council, the difference between the 2023 and 2024 figures is an increase of 360 reports. However, they attribute this rise not to a spike in actual cases, but to increased public reporting activity:
“The council attributes the increase to more people reporting things to the council. However, there has not been a change in the quality of the reporting as people are still reporting illegal parking as abandoned vehicles and vice versa.”
The council assured residents that when a vehicle is genuinely abandoned, action is taken. The spokesperson said: “If a car is truly abandoned, the council will tow and scrap it. Typically, a lot of vehicles are no longer in the same place when an investigator attends after it has been reported.
“A registered keeper can give an explanation to the council as to why they haven’t moved the car in a while and agree to move the car, tax it, have it fixed or address whatever issue has meant it has been stationary for a long time. Alternatively, the council may pass the car along to Parking Enforcement who can issue a PCN, and the owner may move the car as a result.”
To report an abandoned vehicle to Ealing Council, click here.
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