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Finding your car has been taken to the pound can be unsettling, especially if it’s happened suddenly. Whether it was towed by police, the council, or a private contractor, the key thing is to act quickly and keep calm. There are clear steps to follow, and every day you wait can mean extra storage charges.
Start by finding out exactly where the car’s being held. If the police impounded it, call the non-emergency number 101 and ask for the vehicle recovery unit. They’ll confirm which pound it’s in and give you a reference number. If it was removed by the local council for parking or road-tax issues, check the notice left at the scene or contact the council’s vehicle removal office.
Once you know where the car is, you’ll need to collect the right paperwork. Pounds will normally ask for proof of ID, your driving licence, a valid insurance certificate, and the vehicle’s logbook or proof of ownership. If the vehicle isn’t insured, you’ll need to arrange cover that specifically allows impound release before turning up. Most standard policies don’t automatically count for this, so temporary impound insurance is often the safest option.
If the vehicle was seized for no insurance, the police may also want to see proof that you now have a valid policy before release. Failing to show this could mean the car stays in storage or is disposed of after a set number of days. For cars with no MOT or road tax, you’ll need to arrange onward transport or recovery rather than driving it away yourself.
When you arrive at the pound, be prepared to pay release and storage fees by card or cash. Staff will walk you through what’s owed and provide a receipt. Check the car carefully before leaving: note any new damage, take photos, and make sure it’s safe to drive. If you suspect damage occurred while in storage, report it immediately and keep a written record.
If the car’s unroadworthy, don’t try to drive it home. Arrange recovery to a garage or safe location. You’re legally responsible for ensuring the car is road-legal once it leaves the pound, including tax, MOT and insurance. If you drive without any of these, the police can seize it again on the spot.
Keep all documents and receipts together, as you may need them for insurance or future reference. Acting quickly, staying organised, and ensuring your paperwork is correct will save a lot of stress and prevent unnecessary extra costs.
Once you’ve got the vehicle back, take a few moments to double-check your insurance details, keep proof of cover handy, and make sure your MOT and tax are up to date. It’s a hassle no one wants to repeat twice.
Impound processes, time limits and costs vary widely across the UK, and authorities can amend their rules at any time. Information on this site is intended as a general overview and should not be relied on as definitive for any specific impound location.