The Government has begun consultation on new measures it believes will reduce illegal car dumping.

The measures put forward jointly by the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs include giving local authorities access to DVLA records and more power to prosecute car dumpers and a proposal for continuous registration.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has voiced its support for the initiatives. However, it urges the Government to take immediate action to identify the large number of unregistered cars currently on UK roads. Government estimates suggest this could be up to two million vehicles. Until DVLA records are complete and accurate, owners who dump these unregistered cars will continue to slip through the net and evade prosecution, believes the SMMT.

Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive, said, “Car dumping is a serious social problem and we are pleased that the government is finally taking steps to address it. All vehicle owners have a responsibility to dispose of their car in an environmentally responsible way and that message needs to be heard loud and clear."

On the issue of accurate records he said: “Tighter enforcement goes hand in hand with accurate records and while there are unregistered and untaxed vehicles on the road, irresponsible owners will continue to get away with illegal car dumping scot-free.”

Continuous registration, Mr Macgowan said, should also be linked to certificates of destruction. Under such a scheme owners would continue to pay vehicle excise duty (VED) until the car had been disposed of properly, either at dismantler or shredder, and a certificate of destruction issued.