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How “unroadworthy” is assessed
When a car is taken to a pound after a police stop, officers normally record any defects that make the vehicle unsafe. Unroadworthiness covers a wide range of issues, from serious tyre wear and faulty brakes to structural damage, broken lights or steering faults. The key point is that it relates to safety, not convenience. If the defect affects the vehicle’s ability to operate safely, officers may treat it as unroadworthy on the spot.
Pound staff do not issue penalties themselves, but the notes taken at the roadside are passed through the usual enforcement route. Those details form the basis of any penalties that follow.
Fines and penalty points for using an unroadworthy vehicle
Driving an unroadworthy vehicle on a public road is an offence in its own right. The penalties normally depend on the seriousness of the defect. Common outcomes include:
- A fixed-penalty fine when the fault is clear and can be addressed quickly.
- Penalty points for more serious defects, often where steering, tyres, brakes or structural integrity are involved.
- A court summons if the defect is considered dangerous or if there are multiple faults.
In cases of dangerous condition, penalties tend to be higher, and the courts may consider increased fines or disqualification depending on the circumstances. The presence of insurance does not reduce the penalty; the offence concerns the vehicle’s condition at the time it was used.
How these penalties interact with the impound process
A vehicle can be both unroadworthy and uninsured, untaxed or without an MOT. Each issue is treated separately. The impound process deals with removal and storage, while penalties for unroadworthiness follow the normal enforcement route.
If the vehicle is judged unsafe, the pound may decline any road release and insist on recovery. This normally applies when officers have marked the vehicle as too dangerous to drive. Insurance cannot override that decision, and even a direct drive to a pre booked MOT test may be refused where the defect is serious.
What happens if you attempt to drive the car away while it’s still unroadworthy
If you try to drive an unsafe vehicle out of the pound without fixing the defect, this can lead to further offences. Pound staff usually stop the release if the vehicle is visibly unsafe. If the issue becomes clear only once the driver leaves the site, additional penalties may be issued later.
In practical terms, attempting to drive away a dangerous car risks both safety and further enforcement action. A recovery truck is usually required when the defect cannot be corrected immediately.
Insurance consequences of an unroadworthy vehicle
Even if a policy is in force, using an unroadworthy vehicle may be treated as a breach of policy conditions. Insurers sometimes reduce or decline claims if the vehicle was knowingly driven in a dangerous state. The impound event itself may also lead to questions at renewal.
None of this replaces the penalties issued by police, but it explains why driving away after release is not always the best option. Many drivers choose recovery so the vehicle can be repaired before returning to the road.
What happens if you don’t collect the vehicle
Unroadworthiness does not pause the statutory deadlines. The vehicle still needs to be claimed within around seven days and collected within roughly fourteen, although timings differ between authorities.
If you do not collect the car within the required period, disposal may begin. This can mean auction or dismantling depending on the condition of the vehicle. Any penalties for the defects remain in place, and removal and storage fees can still be pursued.
A practical way to handle an unroadworthy impounded car
The safest approach is to accept that an unroadworthy vehicle cannot normally be driven away. Speak to the pound, arrange recovery and take the vehicle straight to a workshop. Once the defect is repaired, you can deal with insurance, MOT or tax matters in a controlled way.
By handling the release sensibly and addressing the defects quickly, you avoid further penalties and bring the situation back under control without risking additional enforcement.
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.