Car stolen but slightly odd series of events....
Discussion
Hope someone can help me out on this.
Car was stolen on Saturday night (noticed that it was missing on Sunday morning) - assuming it was a relay theft as car was keyless entry/start and keys were in the hallway - no break-in, didn't hear a thing.
Reported to police and then insurance company who requested documents including V5, picture of both sets of keys, sales invoice and valid MOT certificate. All in order - except for the mileage recorded on the MOT certificate and this is where is gets odd.
Car had just had its first MOT in July but the MOT tester recorded the mileage at 111,000 instead of the actual mileage of circa 37000 - I hadn't noticed that discrepancy when I had the MOT carried out as I have never had an issue with the recorded mileage on any of my cars before (had been taking my cars to said MOT station for years). When I spoke to the MOT tester in question, he didn't sound shocked/surprised to hear that my car was stolen - he said the mileage was an error on his part and look for the hardcopy of the certificate to see what was written on it. He searched for it, in my presence, and that also had the erroneous mileage so he said he was willing to sign a letter stating that he had incorrectly recorded the mileage.
When I presented the letter to him, he then changed tack and was refusing to sign it, nit-picking at details that he said were incorrect (they were in fact correct). He then consulted with his brother who, thankfully, was decent enough to admonish him in to signing the letter, which he did - after he did so, his body language changed, ignored the fact I was there (started small-talk with other customers) and his whole demeanor was one of contempt.
Now, am I being paranoid or is there something fishy going on - my car has an erroneous mileage recorded on its first MOT. A few weeks later it's stolen from my drive (there are other cars on my road with keyless and are more valuable), MOT tester isn't shocked when he hears it's stolen and then attempts to absolve himself of a blatant error that could potentially invalidate my insurance and void any potential payout?
Thoughts?
Car was stolen on Saturday night (noticed that it was missing on Sunday morning) - assuming it was a relay theft as car was keyless entry/start and keys were in the hallway - no break-in, didn't hear a thing.
Reported to police and then insurance company who requested documents including V5, picture of both sets of keys, sales invoice and valid MOT certificate. All in order - except for the mileage recorded on the MOT certificate and this is where is gets odd.
Car had just had its first MOT in July but the MOT tester recorded the mileage at 111,000 instead of the actual mileage of circa 37000 - I hadn't noticed that discrepancy when I had the MOT carried out as I have never had an issue with the recorded mileage on any of my cars before (had been taking my cars to said MOT station for years). When I spoke to the MOT tester in question, he didn't sound shocked/surprised to hear that my car was stolen - he said the mileage was an error on his part and look for the hardcopy of the certificate to see what was written on it. He searched for it, in my presence, and that also had the erroneous mileage so he said he was willing to sign a letter stating that he had incorrectly recorded the mileage.
When I presented the letter to him, he then changed tack and was refusing to sign it, nit-picking at details that he said were incorrect (they were in fact correct). He then consulted with his brother who, thankfully, was decent enough to admonish him in to signing the letter, which he did - after he did so, his body language changed, ignored the fact I was there (started small-talk with other customers) and his whole demeanor was one of contempt.
Now, am I being paranoid or is there something fishy going on - my car has an erroneous mileage recorded on its first MOT. A few weeks later it's stolen from my drive (there are other cars on my road with keyless and are more valuable), MOT tester isn't shocked when he hears it's stolen and then attempts to absolve himself of a blatant error that could potentially invalidate my insurance and void any potential payout?
Thoughts?
I highly doubt there is a causal link between the mileage discrepancy and the theft. Also, you mention you've been using the garage for a long time without issue. People sometimes behave in a strange manner when they get picked up on mistakes that they've made. Rather than admit their error, they get all defensive.
Not a good situation to be in. What car was it out of interest?
I don't think there is a link between the discrepancy and the theft. Some cars are known to be low-hanging fruit for relay attacks, if for example a mate told me that his Audi RS3 was stolen, I would probably not be surprised either and comment to that effect. His stance was probably a defensive one as a response to making a mistake and having to sign for it, it can't have felt good
I don't think there is a link between the discrepancy and the theft. Some cars are known to be low-hanging fruit for relay attacks, if for example a mate told me that his Audi RS3 was stolen, I would probably not be surprised either and comment to that effect. His stance was probably a defensive one as a response to making a mistake and having to sign for it, it can't have felt good
Mileage error on the MOT is probably just a genuine mistake, I can't see how that would lead to the car being stolen.
Info here for getting it properly corrected rather than just a signed letter from the test station. They'll need all those other bits and bobs as it's more than 28 days since the test.
https://www.gov.uk/getting-an-mot/correcting-mot-c...
Info here for getting it properly corrected rather than just a signed letter from the test station. They'll need all those other bits and bobs as it's more than 28 days since the test.
https://www.gov.uk/getting-an-mot/correcting-mot-c...
I don't think I would be shocked if someone told me their car was stolen. If it's someone I knew I would be sympathetic, but not shocked.
You've pointed out something they have screwed up. I've always found garage staff to get defensive when they screw up.
I don't think the two are related.
You've pointed out something they have screwed up. I've always found garage staff to get defensive when they screw up.
I don't think the two are related.
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