Freedom of Information requests to over 400 councils revealed number of cars reported as abandoned has tripled since 2012, according to the Telegraph.
Experts say that drivers choosing to run their motors into the ground rather than switching for newer models, as well as scrappage costs also having risen are to blame for bangers being left at the road side.
AA president, Edmund King, explained: “Twenty years ago if you had a rubbish car you could get £150 for scrapping it, in recent years the price of metal has gone down and nowadays people will be asked to pay over £100 to have their car taken away and scrapped.
“We have also seen an increase in people keeping hold of their cars for longer and changing them less frequently to save money, so that is also likely to be a factor.”
“Eye-sore”
Motorists have not been oblivious to the increasing numbers of abandoned vehicles and the councils are now spending £1 million each year on removing old cars from the roadside.
Motoring editor at Confused.com, Amanda Stretton, commented: “The rising cost of fuel, car infusrance and tax is overwhelming some motorists, causing some of tehm to ditch their vehicles when they break down.
“Abandoned vehicles are an eye-sore and a nuisance, drivers who suspect a car has been dumped in their area should contact their local council who will get in touch with the owner or remove it.”
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