Worthless wrecks are being dumped on the street as scrap prices tumble.
Dismantlers offer nothing for most old metal, and they even ask for cash to remove unwanted cars.
To avoid the costs, owners are leaving rusty wrecks on the street. And within days what was once their pride and joy is ablaze.
Howty Close, Colshaw, is one popular haunt for arsonists, as Wilmslow fire chief Tony Walker knows.
"We're having to tackle a lot of vehicles like this, and it seems to be increasing," said Sub Officer Walker.
"We receive the tail end of this problem. If a car is dumped, it then becomes vandalised and is invariably set on fire.
"This is extremely dangerous for people who light the fires and for our firefighters who put them out."
In the last full financial year, 495 cars were reported abandoned to Cheshire County Council.
This figure has since doubled, and over 500 cases have been reported from April 2001.
Coun Tony Ranfield, and Coun Wilson Hammond, who are campaigning to reduce the number of dumped cars, blame kids.
"During the long holidays, the children set fire to a car on Longridge just for 10 minutes' worth of fun and games. Cars left on private land are difficult to get shifted," said Coun Ranfield.
"If it's on a pub car park, for example, it's hard to find out to whom it belongs.
"By a long process the driving licensing people at Swansea (DVLA) can tell you for £5. The whole thing is a mess."
Five years ago scrap metal was £60 a ton, today it is £21 a ton and many cars without an MOT are worth literally nothing.
Chris Henshaw, boss of Henshaw's Car Dismantlers, Macclesfield, said: "I can understand why people are dumping cars.
"No scrapyard will pay them, and it actually costs them to have their car collected."
DVLA spokesman Gareth Hughes said the agency informs local authorities of car owners and addresses so they can take action where necessary.
Police spokeswoman Jacqui Hampson said abandoned vehicles were not a police matter and advised concerned residents to call the council.
