How Much Does It Cost to Get Your Car Back from the Pound?

So, your car’s been impounded. Not exactly the best news, is it? As if the stress of dealing with paperwork and legalities wasn’t enough, now you’ve got to fork out some cash to get it back. But how much are we talking? Let’s break it down.

The Standard Impound Release Fee

First off, there’s a flat fee for collecting your vehicle. If you’re thinking, Oh, it’s probably not that bad…, brace yourself. Up until April 6, 2023, it was £150 for a standard car or light van. Now? It’s £192. Yes, they bumped it up.

And if your car wasn’t parked in the easiest spot to retrieve; say, it was badly damaged, stuck somewhere awkward, or otherwise a nightmare to tow; expect to pay extra. If your car is in no state to be driven, you’ll likely need to arrange for a vehicle recovery service to get it home. Not sure where to start? You might find a local operator on AVRO UK.

Daily Storage Charges: The Longer You Wait, the More You Pay

Think you’ll just leave it there for a bit whilst you figure things out? Bad idea.

From noon the day after your car is impounded, storage fees start kicking in at £26 per day. So, the longer you wait, the more expensive this whole ordeal gets. Even if you don’t want your car back (more on that later), you could still be racking up charges if you don’t act fast.

And just to be clear: you must pay all fees before your car is released. The pound isn’t running a tab, and they certainly won’t hand over your keys for free.

How Can You Pay?

Most pounds accept cash, credit cards, or debit cards. However, if your car was impounded for being driven without insurance, there’s an extra hoop to jump through; you have to pay in person. No quick phone payments or online transfers.

So, if you’re heading to the pound, make sure you bring everything you might need: ID, documents, and a way to pay. Nothing’s worse than making the trip only to be turned away.

What If You Don’t Want Your Car Back?

Believe it or not, some people just walk away from their impounded vehicles. If you decide that dealing with the fees, paperwork, and insurance isn’t worth it, you can legally give up your rights to the car.

But before you think this is an easy way out, here’s what happens:

• You won’t get any money for it, no matter how much your car is worth.
• You might have to pay a £75 disposal charge for them to get rid of it.
• On the bright side, you probably won’t have to pay the initial impound fee or storage costs.

If your car is on its last legs and isn’t worth much, this could be the cheapest option. But if it’s in good shape, it’s probably worth paying the release fee and either selling it or keeping it on the road.

Final Reminder: Don’t Miss the Deadline!

This is important: you have seven working days from the date on your seizure notice to go to the police pound and sort things out.

Ignore this, and you could lose your car permanently; either scrapped or sold at auction. And trust me, the last thing you want is to see your car being driven around by someone else just because you didn’t act in time.

So, whether you’re paying to get it back or saying goodbye to it forever, do something before it’s too late.