Neighbourhood watch uncovers 800,000 untaxed vehicles
More than 800,000 untaxed vehicles were reported to the DVLA between May 2025 and May 2026.
Meanwhile, further research by tempcover found that 30% of UK motorists have checked a neighbour’s car tax status, with 12% taking direct action by reporting an untaxed vehicle.
Abandoned-looking vehicles (40%), stationary vehicles left unmoved for weeks (40%), and parking space disputes (28%) triggered the majority of checks.
The research also found that 85% of drivers don’t realise standard car insurance won’t typically cover its release. On top of that, over a third (36%) of drivers were unaware of the initial release fees of up to £200, while 49% were unfamiliar with the £20-plus daily storage charges accrued.
Claire Wills-McKissick, impound car insurance expert at Tempcover, said: “Road tax and MOT regulations exist to ensure vehicles on public roads are legally compliant and roadworthy. As public awareness and online lookup tools have grown, reporting non-compliant vehicles has become far easier. However, many drivers do not realise how rapidly an untaxed car can be seized and impounded.
“When a car is seized, many motorists are shocked to learn that standard annual insurance policies usually exclude impound release. Under regulations, compounds require proof of insurance valid for a minimum of 30 days that explicitly permits the release of a seized vehicle.”
