Top 10 UK areas with the most car seizures revealed – where does yours rank?

THE top 10 UK areas with the most car seizures have been revealed.

A recent study found that there were over 212,000 vehicles seized in the UK last year.

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The research conducted by Confused.com analysed Freedom of Information data from police forces across the UK.

When compared to the size of the population, Northamptonshire saw the most vehicle seizures.

And the most common reason for these seizures was that the vehicles had been involved in a road traffic collision.

Shockingly, the county was also among the areas where the fewest people actually got their vehicles back, at a recovery rate of 65.1%.

One of the biggest police force areas, West Yorkshire, comes in second with 857 vehicles seized per 100,000 people.

Over 20,000 vehicles were impounded in the county in 2021.

Here, the most common reason for vehicles being seized was driving without insurance, with just under 7,000 seizures. 

West Midlands comes in third place with 831 vehicles seized per 100,000 people.

Most of the seizures were due to drivers not having the correct insurance or valid driving licence.

And West Midlands is also the area where the fewest vehicles were returned, with just 57.53% recovered.

Handily, they have provided their expert advice on what to do if your car is seized by cops.

First, you need to find out exactly where the car is being held.

If this isn’t stated in the notice letter that you get from the police, you can call your local police station on 101 to find out.

Following this, there are various documents that you have to provide.

These include the seizure notice, proof of identity, proof of ownership, a valid MOT and an insurance certificate.

If your vehicle was impounded because you didn’t have insurance, then you may need to get impound insurance.

This is a short-term policy that proves that you have at least 30 days of insurance for the vehicle (a legal requirement).

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