A drop in the price of scrap metal is being blamed for abandoned vehicles being dumped in Angus.
Insurers may also have a case to answer, with models beyond a certain age now effectively undriveable because of the cost of coverage.
As a consequence the burden of destroying unwanted vehicles has fallen on local authorities with taxpayers often left to foot the bill for their removal and destruction.
In Angus 19 vehicles were uplifted in 2015, 34 in 2016 and 24 so far this year which cost £675, £1,635 and £1,455.
Elsewhere, Dundee City Council could only give figures for 2015 and 2016 where the number jumped from five to 50 costing £1,940 and £7,115.
Across Fife there were 59 vehicles uplifted in 2015, 128 in 2016 and 93 so far this year although the council does not hold a breakdown of the costs.
In Perth and Kinross there were 25 in 2015, 56 in 2016 and 16 so far this year although there is no cost to public purse as Perth Auto Recyclers pick them up.
A spokesman for Angus Council said: “We have a statutory duty to investigate and deal with abandoned vehicles in Angus.
“Along with with Police Scotland colleagues, we will make every effort to contact the registered keeper so they can take responsibility for their vehicle.
“If we are unable to trace them, a seven-day-notice is served on the vehicle after which it will be removed.
“Where the vehicle presents a danger to the public, it will be removed as soon as possible.
“Vehicles are uplifted by a contracted scrap metal merchant and any scrap value helps to offset the costs involved in removal.
“While the situation in Angus is no different from elsewhere in the country, it’s understood that a drop in the value of scrap metal may have resulted in an increase in abandoned vehicles and we would appeal to owners to always dispose of their vehicles responsibly.”
Scrap metal prices are beginning to recover, but it will be a while before this trickles down to scrap-metal dealers.
Angus Council said people can report abandoned vehicles online giving make, model, colour, registration number and location.
It is also encouraging vehicle owners not to abandon their derelict cars by the side of the road or on someone else’s property.
