Discovering that parts are missing from a car after it’s been impounded is frustrating, but responsibility depends on when the loss occurred and who had control of the vehicle at the time. The police, recovery contractor, and pound operator each have specific duties, yet ownership and proof of condition still matter when raising a complaint or claim.

What happens when a car is impounded

When police or authorised agents seize a vehicle, it’s usually photographed and recorded before being towed. This process is meant to protect both the owner and the operator by showing the car’s condition at the time of collection. If damage or missing parts are already noted during recovery, those details will appear on the pound’s record sheet. Anything not recorded may be presumed to have been present when the vehicle arrived.

Responsibility while the car is in storage

Once inside the impound, the storage operator is responsible for safeguarding the vehicle and its contents as far as reasonably possible. However, that responsibility is limited. The pound isn’t required to guarantee absolute security against every possible loss. If doors, windows, or boots were already open or damaged, staff may log that the vehicle was insecure and cannot accept liability for any missing contents.

Each pound’s terms and conditions are displayed on-site and usually state that owners are advised not to leave valuables in vehicles. These rules exist because impounded cars can remain in storage for several days or weeks, during which items could deteriorate, be moved, or removed as part of safety checks.

What to do if something is missing

If you believe parts have gone missing after the car was taken, the first step is to raise it immediately with pound staff before signing any release paperwork. Ask for a copy of the vehicle condition report and photographs taken at the time of seizure. If the missing item appears in those images, responsibility is unlikely to lie with the pound. If it doesn’t, you can request a formal investigation.

It helps to note exactly what’s missing — for example, alloy wheels, catalytic converter, stereo unit, or tools — and provide evidence of ownership, such as receipts or previous photos. The pound manager may refer the complaint to the police or their recovery contractor depending on who arranged the tow.

When the loss may have occurred earlier

In many cases, missing items turn out to have been taken before the car was impounded, particularly if it was left unattended or involved in an accident. Police contractors are not liable for losses that happen before they took control of the vehicle. Similarly, if parts were removed for forensic examination or road-safety reasons, those items may still be held by the investigating authority rather than missing permanently. You can request written clarification of this.

Raising a formal complaint or claim

If there’s strong evidence that something went missing while the car was in official storage, you can submit a written complaint to the pound’s operating contractor. Include the vehicle registration, seizure reference, a full description of the missing items, and copies of any photos taken before and after. The operator may review CCTV footage or recovery records to confirm whether removal occurred on-site. If loss is confirmed, compensation may be offered through the contractor’s insurance, though such cases are rare.

Preventing problems in future

When retrieving an impounded car, inspect it carefully before signing for release. Photograph all sides and check the interior, wheels, and engine bay. Once the car leaves the pound, it’s much harder to prove that any missing items disappeared during storage. If the vehicle must remain impounded for several days, ask for written confirmation that it will be kept in a secure, locked compound.

Final note

Responsibility for missing parts depends on when and how the loss occurred. Pounds must take reasonable care of vehicles but aren’t automatically liable for every missing item. The best protection is evidence — photographs, receipts, and prompt inspection at collection. Acting quickly and documenting everything gives the strongest basis for a formal claim if anything isn’t as it should be.

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.