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Having your car impounded is a stressful experience — and unfortunately it can be expensive too. Knowing the likely costs ahead of time is helpful. While each case varies, this article outlines the main charges you’ll face in the UK and what factors can drive the total up.
Main cost components
The basic costs of recovery are usually threefold:
- Removal / tow-away fee – the cost of taking the vehicle from its location to the pound. For example, the central government guidance shows a figure of about £160 for a car when it was untaxed. :contentReference
- Release / reclaim fee – the amount you must pay to access the vehicle at the pound and get the paperwork in order. Some police forces quote a minimum release fee of around £150 for an upright, undamaged car.
- Daily storage charges – as soon as the vehicle is impounded, each day adds to the cost. One source shows rates of £10–£35 per day for cars depending on location.
Example cost range
Putting these together for a typical car you might expect:
- Removal fee: approx £150–£200
- Release fee: around £150 (for an undamaged, standard car)
- Storage: if it’s held for 3 days at say £20/day = £60
Total roughly: £360 in this scenario.
If the vehicle stays longer, is a high-value or large vehicle, or was impounded for serious offences (insurance/tax issues) the cost can rise significantly.
What drives costs higher
Some of the key factors that push up the total are:
- Long delay before collection (storage adds up).
- Large vehicle, heavy recovery required (van, SUV, commercial vehicle).
- Impound due to insurance, untaxed status or driving offences (often higher “holding” costs or mandatory waits). For example, a force sets a disposal charge for cars at £96 if later scrapped.
- Location – inner-city pounds tend to charge more for storage and recovery.
- Out-of-hours removal or recovery requiring specialist equipment.
How to keep the cost down
Here are sensible steps to reduce what you pay:
- Act quickly — book insurance and plan collection with the pound soon after seizure.
- Bring all documents and required insurance so you aren’t delayed by missing paperwork.
- If the vehicle is not road-worthy or you’d rather not drive it away, consider using a recovery truck (might cost less risk for you).
Final note
Recovering an impounded car typically costs several hundred pounds in the UK when you add removal, release and storage charges together. Don’t wait: the longer the car sits, the more you pay. Check the pound’s cost schedule, arrange the right insurance for release, and prepare for the total so there are no surprises.
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.