Car owners trying to sell a vehicle by the side of the road will find it is costing them money rather than making it.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s Car-Clear Partnership has been given the green light by Norfolk County Council to allow its enforcement officers to remove the vehicles - which are breaking the law.

It is an offence under road traffic regulations to sell a vehicle on the public highway, and over the last year the Partnership has received an increasing number of complaints as the practice seems to be on the increase.

“We will be issuing a notice of intent and if the vehicle remains on the highway after 24 hours we will remove it,” explained Car-Clear Co-ordinator Graham Carpenter.

“Moving it to another road and still advertising it for sale means it will still be recovered.

“The owners using the roadside as a car sales lot are depriving residents of parking spaces, and are a distraction to other motorists.

“It is obvious that some people are selling cars this way as a business, so we will also be passing their details on to Trading Standards and HM Revenue and Customs who administer income tax and VAT.”

If a car is removed the owner will have to take proof of ownership and insurance to Great Yarmouth police station. They will be charged recovery and administration costs before the vehicle is released.

To contact the Car Clear Partnership to report a vehicle for sale or an abandoned car call 01493 333371.