Many drivers want to see their car before handing over money to the pound, especially if they suspect damage during towing or storage. It’s a fair question — after all, release fees can be expensive, and nobody wants to pay before knowing the vehicle’s condition. Whether you can inspect it first depends on the pound’s policy, but most allow limited viewing under supervision.

Why inspection is sometimes restricted

Police and DVLA pounds treat all stored vehicles as secure evidence until the release process begins. Staff must control access for safety and security reasons — especially when there are ongoing investigations or multiple cars under seizure. As a result, most sites don’t let members of the public freely walk around the storage area before payment.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t check the vehicle at all. Many pounds permit a brief visual inspection once staff confirm your identity and ownership, particularly if you express concern about possible damage from the recovery process.

How to request a pre-payment inspection

Ask at the reception desk before you pay the release fee. Explain that you’d like to see the car’s condition first. Staff may escort you to the vehicle or show it from a distance through the fencing or from a viewing area. You can usually check for:

• obvious external damage or missing parts,
• flat tyres or broken windows,
• evidence of forced entry if the car was towed while locked, and
• whether personal items inside are still present.

These checks are normally visual only — you won’t be allowed to unlock doors, start the engine, or remove belongings until payment is made and the release form is authorised.

If damage is discovered

If you spot new damage before paying, take photos (from outside the fence if necessary) and tell staff straight away. They may record your concern in their handover log. You can then decide whether to continue with the release or raise a formal claim later. The compound itself is rarely liable unless there’s evidence of negligence, but clear documentation helps if you pursue compensation through the police or recovery contractor.

After payment and release

Once you’ve paid and received the release authorisation, you’ll be allowed to check the car more closely. Do this before driving away — look for scratches, dents, or missing items and note them on the paperwork if possible. If anything significant is missing or damaged, photograph it immediately and keep copies of all receipts and notices linked to the seizure. That evidence will support any later complaint or insurance claim.

What you can’t do before paying

You usually can’t:

• remove personal possessions before paying,
• start or move the vehicle yourself,
• examine the engine or interior, or
• decline payment and expect the pound to hold the car indefinitely.

Storage fees continue daily until release or formal disposal, so delaying payment while you wait for access often costs more in the long run.

Final note

You can usually check an impounded car briefly before paying, but only under supervision and without touching it. Once ownership is verified and the fee is settled, a full inspection is allowed. Taking photographs, noting any concerns, and acting promptly gives you a clear record and helps protect your position if a dispute arises later.

Check here for more useful information about impounded cars!

Please note: impound rules, collection windows and fee structures are set locally and can change at any time. Details on this site offer a broad outline only and are not guaranteed to match the requirements of any individual pound or authority.