The proliferation of vehicles covered in dust, with deflated tires, damaged bodies, or long-expired MOT certificates, as well as vans and trucks that remain immobile for months, has become a recurring problem in the southern neighborhoods of Sabadell, particularly in the areas of les Termes, la Creu de Barberà, and Espronceda. Residents express their frustration, comparing the situation to a "car graveyard" and pointing out that the presence of these vehicles reduces parking space and turnover, exacerbating the already existing challenge of finding parking in the neighborhoods.
One of the cited examples is a van parked for months on a dumpster stand on Casp street, forcing the dumpster to be "in the middle of the pedestrian walkway." This occupation of public space not only creates parking problems but can also hinder mobility and accessibility for pedestrians. The issue extends to other locations such as the vicinity of buildings 22, 23, and 25 on Illa Sacra street, the direction towards Comerç promenade, Santa Maria avenue, and its adjacent streets, painting a picture of vehicles that never move and have become part of the daily landscape.
The Sabadell City Council reminds that an old vehicle or one with an expired MOT is not automatically considered abandoned. The Municipal Police must verify each case. Once abandonment is confirmed, an administrative proceeding is opened, and the owner is notified, who has one month to respond. This procedure, described as "guarantist" by the Council, allows the owner to maintain, remove, or transfer the vehicle. If the owner cannot be located, the vehicle may be removed as it is considered waste.
The figures highlight the scale of the problem: during 2025, the Municipal Police removed and destroyed 308 abandoned vehicles in Sabadell, a 48% increase compared to the previous year. The deputy mayor, Adrián Hernández, has recalled that there is an option to contact the Municipal Police to deregister and arrange the free removal of vehicles that are no longer used, with the aim of preventing them from ending up abandoned on the street. Currently, Sabadell registers 134,480 vehicles, a vehicle fleet that has grown by 12.3% in the last twenty years.
