Ealing Council has revealed it has removed more than 1,700 vehicles from streets and housing estates across the borough over the past year as part of a pilot scheme launched in September 2025 to crack down on abandoned and unroadworthy vehicles.
The latest figure is up from more than 1,000 vehicles removed during the scheme’s first seven months, which EALING.NEWS reported in May 2026.
The council said the initiative covers abandoned and unroadworthy vehicles, including those without valid tax, MOT or insurance, as well as vehicles with large numbers of unpaid parking fines.
The council said it is now considering making the scheme permanent and “looking to put in place a permanent round-the-clock vehicle removal service” when the pilot ends.
Among the vehicles removed over the past year were a Maserati, Rolls-Royce, Jaguar and several Audis. Officers also found a machete and Class A drugs inside one abandoned vehicle.
In one recent case, enforcement officers removed a Range Rover which had previously been issued with a penalty charge notice (PCN) for being parked without a permit in a controlled parking zone.
When officers returned, the PCN had been removed and the vehicle was no longer displaying its registration plates. The council said its parking enforcement team was still able to identify the Range Rover and have it removed.
The owner paid £450 in release fees and £110 in outstanding PCNs to recover the vehicle, bringing the total bill to £560.
Councillor Dominic Moffitt, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for climate action, said: “Abandoned and unroadworthy vehicles take up valuable parking spaces, make neighbourhoods look neglected and can attract anti-social behaviour.”
He added: “We will continue working across the borough to identify and remove abandoned and unroadworthy vehicles, helping keep our neighbourhoods cleaner, safer and more pleasant for residents.”
To report an abandoned vehicle, click here.
