If you don’t collect an impounded car within the permitted time, it may be sold, scrapped, or destroyed. Every day that passes adds storage fees, and after a set period the vehicle legally becomes the property of the police or the pound operator. Acting quickly — even if you’re waiting for documents or insurance — is essential to avoid permanent loss.

Time limits for collection

The standard collection period is usually seven working days from the date of the seizure notice. Some pounds allow up to fourteen days, but the exact limit depends on who seized the car — police, DVLA, or local authority. After that period, ownership transfers under Section 165A of the Road Traffic Act or equivalent legislation, and the pound is entitled to dispose of the vehicle.

Even if you intend to contest the seizure, you should still contact the pound immediately to let them know. Notifying them that you plan to recover the car can sometimes prevent disposal while you gather paperwork.

Storage fees accumulate daily

Each day the car remains in the pound, a storage fee is charged — typically between £20 and £30 per day, depending on the vehicle type and location. These charges are added to the fixed release fee and must be paid in full before the car is released. If you delay collection for several days, the cost can quickly exceed the vehicle’s value.

For example, a ten-day delay could easily add hundreds of pounds to the total cost. Most pounds require payment by card or cash before release and will not release the vehicle until all charges are cleared.

What happens after the deadline

Once the collection deadline has passed, the pound can legally dispose of the vehicle. This usually means one of the following:

• Sale at auction: Roadworthy vehicles are often sold to recover the costs of towing, storage, and disposal.
• Scrappage: Unroadworthy cars are sent for authorised dismantling and recycling.
• Transfer to a salvage trader: Some vehicles are sold directly to motor traders for parts.

Once the car has been sold or scrapped, you no longer have the right to reclaim it or receive compensation unless there was a proven administrative error. The pound may keep a portion of any sale proceeds to cover its costs and remit the remainder to the Treasury or the relevant enforcement authority.

If you can’t collect in time

If you’re unable to collect the car yourself — for example, due to illness, work commitments, or lack of a driving licence — you can authorise someone else to collect it on your behalf. This must be done in writing and accompanied by proof of ID, proof of ownership, and a valid insurance certificate in the collector’s name. Acting before the deadline expires is vital; extensions are rarely granted.

When you no longer want the car

If you decide the car isn’t worth recovering, you can formally abandon your claim by signing a release form. This allows the pound to dispose of it immediately. Doing so avoids further storage fees, although you may still owe the initial removal charge. Some people choose this route when the car’s value is low or repairs would exceed its worth.

How to avoid losing the vehicle

As soon as your car is impounded, contact the pound, arrange suitable insurance, and gather your paperwork. Even if you can’t attend immediately, staying in communication with the pound may stop the vehicle from being scrapped prematurely. Acting within a few days is always the safest approach.

Final note

If an impounded car isn’t collected in time, it’s at risk of being sold or destroyed to recover costs. Storage fees build daily, and after the statutory period, ownership passes to the enforcement authority. The only way to prevent that outcome is to act quickly — contact the pound, confirm your intentions, and arrange collection before the deadline passes.

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.