See how much you can claim

If your vehicle was unexpectedly clamped, towed or money was taken for an unpaid debt in the last six years, you could be owed thousands!


Both must apply:

  • The warrant of control must have a wrong address

  • The bailiff clamped or removed your vehicle, or money was taken

If so, the enforcement, the fees fees and storage charges could well be invalid meaning you could claim damages


Your action could be dealt with by a solicitor on a conditional fee agreement, with the other party paying almost all your legal fees, and you do not have to attend court.

Start by gathering the PCN number, it starts with two letters and followed by eight numbers. The council or the authority can give this if you quote your car registration.

Telephone the Traffic Enforcement Centre on 0300 123 1059, press 4 to skip the robot and when they answer your call, give the PCN number.

The call handler will ask for a security check by confirming your postcode. Give your previous address postcode and if that passes the check, you have proven the address on the warrant of control is wrong, and therefore proves the bailiff did not give a statutory Notice of Enforcement before taking your vehicle.

If the call handler accepts your current address, then ask for the date of the warrant. If that predates you moving to your current address, it proves the warrant address falls on a date you were not living there and was modified after the warrant was issued.


Gather evidence:

  • Your address when your vehicle was clamped or removed
  • The money taken to get your vehicle back, including fees and storage charges. (Your bank will have records going back six years)

You can claim damages which should be supported with evidence, including:

  • The mileage or taxi costs collecting your vehicle from the compound
  • Loss of income if your vehicle is used in your work or education
  • The annual tax for the vehicle, (you claim back the number of days lost tax)
  • The cost of annual insurance on the vehicle
  • If you are a rental car business, the hire agreement, and the daily rate for hire