Impounding Cars

[DRV112]

In May my car was clamped due to having no tax. That was fine it was what happened next that got me angry.
Less than 3hrs later my car was towed away. When I got it back it was damaged, steering rack shot to bits, power steering gone and they had broken in to the car causing damage to the passenger side.
I want to know if what they did was legal. The operatives say it was, the police say it was.
They also claim the damage was due to age not them. The car had an MOT two weeks before this.
Anyone know what the legal stand on this is?

[towman]

Police have a duty of care if they romove your vehicle. This is why they subcontract everything to "managing agents". The contractor must pay. The age of your vehicle is immaterial. It should be returned in exactly the same condition as when you left it. Ask to see the damage report they should have completed before uplifting the vehicle. Sorry if this is a bit short and sharp, but running out of time before I go to work!

Steve

[g_attrill]

They possibly might be able to cause damage only to gain entry, but not cause damage to anything else. I think you will need to get it inspected by a qualified person who could write a report that says how they think the damage was caused, and that it wasn't age. Then you will probably need to sue them for the repair costs.

Gareth
PS. Buy a tax disc next time!

[towman]

They are still responsible for any damage caused by effecting entry. Time scale may be against you now