If you’ve got a car that hasn’t moved in months — flat tyres, a dead battery, maybe panel damage from a prang that was never quite worth fixing — you’ve probably wondered at some point whether you’re allowed to just leave it there. The answer depends on exactly where “there” is, and which of Perth’s local governments you fall under. Here’s what actually applies, and what your options are once you decide the car isn’t worth keeping.
Driveway vs Verge vs Street: Why It Matters
Perth is covered by more than 30 separate local governments, and each one sets its own parking and vehicle local laws under the Local Government Act 1995. That means there’s no single Perth-wide rule for derelict vehicles — what applies in the City of South Perth isn’t identical to what applies in Stirling or Gosnells.
What does stay fairly consistent across councils is the distinction between your own property and council-controlled land:
- On your driveway or elsewhere on your private property — council parking local laws generally don’t apply. A local government can’t usually order you to move a car that’s parked entirely on your own block.
- On the verge or the street — this is council land, not an extension of your property, and it’s where local laws start to bite.
So a wrecked car sitting on your driveway is mostly your own business. The moment it’s parked on the verge or nose-out on the street, it falls under your council’s parking rules.
What Counts as “Abandoned” on the Street
Local laws typically let a ranger treat a vehicle as abandoned based on a few practical factors rather than a strict definition — things like whether it still has number plates, whether it’s been driven or moved, and how long it’s been sitting in the same spot. The Town of Victoria Park, for example, expects vehicles parked on the street to be used and moved regularly, and treats anything left in the same position for more than 24 hours as at risk of being classed abandoned. The City of South Perth applies a similar test — no plates, or unmoved for more than a day, and it can be flagged for an abandoned vehicle report.
Other councils allow longer grace periods or weigh it differently, so if you’re unsure how your specific local government treats it, it’s worth a quick call to their rangers or compliance team.
What Happens If a Ranger Flags Your Car
Process varies by council, but broadly you can expect:
- An attempt to contact the registered owner, often via a notice left on the windscreen
- A set period to move or register the vehicle before further action
- Possible impounding, with a fee to reclaim the vehicle, if it’s not addressed
None of this is usually urgent on day one, but it’s not something that resolves itself either — a car that’s already unregistered and un-roadworthy tends to just keep costing you attention, and eventually money, the longer it sits there.
What a Non-Running or Damaged Car Is Actually Worth
Once you’ve decided to stop storing the problem and sell instead, it helps to know what actually moves the price:
- Make and model — some vehicles hold wrecking value in parts and scrap metal better than others
- Completeness — an engine, gearbox, and panels still attached are worth more than a stripped shell
- Type of damage — mechanical failure, accident damage, or fire/flood damage are all assessed differently
- Current scrap metal and parts demand — this shifts over time.
A running car with a bad gearbox is a different proposition to a burnt-out shell with no chassis, but both can usually still be sold rather than left to rack up compliance headaches.
Selling an Old or Damaged Car in WA: What to Know
A few WA-specific points catch people out when they finally decide to sell:
- Number plates stay with you, not the car. Take them off before the vehicle is collected.
- You need to lodge a Notification of Disposal with the WA Department of Transport once the sale is done, so the vehicle is no longer registered in your name.
- Bring valid photo ID when the vehicle is collected — it doesn’t have to be the person listed as the registered owner, but ID is required.
Vehicles that are stolen, still under finance, or just a body with no chassis generally can’t be bought, so it’s worth checking your position on finance before arranging a sale.
Where Cash For Cars Perth Fits In
If your car’s reached the point where it’s more hassle than it’s worth — whether that’s a council notice, a driveway you’d like back, or just years of putting it off — Cash For Cars Perth buys cars, utes, trucks, vans, and 4WDs in any condition across the Perth metro area, including running, non-running, accident-damaged, and written-off vehicles. We’re a licensed wrecking yard at 5 Hantke Place, Welshpool, and pay up to $9,999 in cash or instant OSKO transfer before the car leaves your property. Towing is free, and if you call before midday we can often collect the same day, usually within two to three hours. Note that our coverage is Perth metro only — we don’t currently service Bunbury or areas further south.
Ready to Move It On?
Whether the car’s in the driveway, on the verge, or already sitting under a ranger’s notice, sorting it out is usually simpler than it looks. Call 0420 262 651 for a quote, or get in touch online — we’re open Monday to Saturday, 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM.