Finding Owner Of Abandoned Car
Discussion
I know of an MGB V8 Roadster that hasn't moved in a good 24 months.
It's parked on a business estate, nobody in the local businesses knows who's it is, nor do the landlords.
How can I go about finding out the owners? It's not in bad shape (apart from mouse eaten interior & loom).
Clearly the rightful owners don't care for it, so I'd like to rescue it somehow.
It's parked on a business estate, nobody in the local businesses knows who's it is, nor do the landlords.
How can I go about finding out the owners? It's not in bad shape (apart from mouse eaten interior & loom).
Clearly the rightful owners don't care for it, so I'd like to rescue it somehow.
I think this has been covered a few times. I can't remember the various outcomes but if memory serves you can apply to the DVLA for the V5. The DVLA then will attempt to contact the owner over a period of time and after this time has passed may, or may not grant you the V5.
Usual caveat though that the V5 does not mean ownership.
Not 100% on any of the above but i'm sure someone will be along shortly to clear it up.
Usual caveat though that the V5 does not mean ownership.
Not 100% on any of the above but i'm sure someone will be along shortly to clear it up.
Do we really need another thread on this?
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
etc, etc, etc......
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
etc, etc, etc......
Sebring440 said:
Do we really need another thread on this?
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
etc, etc, etc......
It probably would have been quicker to answer the OP's question rather than dick around trying to find links and look terribly clever. Sorry, I meant looking like a sanctimonious pensioner.https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
etc, etc, etc......
You can apply to the DVLA for the registered keepers details if you have some sort of legitimate reason for knowing them e.g. the car being abandoned on a private business estate that you have an interest in. You can then write to the keeper & ask if you can buy/have it.
Applying for the V5, awaiting no response from the keeper & taking the car away once it's in your name is theft, but thankfully leaves a very nice paper trail to aid in future prosecutions when for example the deceased persons estate is evaluated & the missing car queried.
Applying for the V5, awaiting no response from the keeper & taking the car away once it's in your name is theft, but thankfully leaves a very nice paper trail to aid in future prosecutions when for example the deceased persons estate is evaluated & the missing car queried.
IN51GHT said:
Have filled in form V888 to try to find the owner of the car & contact them, it was last MOT'd in 2011, so I suspect somebody hs long forgotten about it.
As per DaveCWK's reply above, unless you're the actual owner of the land or business estate that the car is evidently abandoned on, then i imagine your request will be rejected as you have no legitimate interest in getting the owners details / getting the car removed, etc. Especially after the GDPR changes and what information the DVSA can / can't give out to random 3rd parties without a valid reason. Being a member of the public wanting to take ownership of a car that's taken your fancy but isn't on your own land / property generally isn't a valid reason tbh.
If anyone should be applying to get the owners details it should be the land owner / business estate owner if they really want it off their property.
AlexRS2782 said:
As per DaveCWK's reply above, unless you're the actual owner of the land or business estate that the car is evidently abandoned on, then i imagine your request will be rejected as you have no legitimate interest in getting the owners details / getting the car removed, etc.
Especially after the GDPR changes and what information the DVSA can / can't give out to random 3rd parties without a valid reason. Being a member of the public wanting to take ownership of a car that's taken your fancy but isn't on your own land / property generally isn't a valid reason tbh.
If anyone should be applying to get the owners details it should be the land owner / business estate owner if they really want it off their property.
Well, it's dumpep in the carpark outside our hanger, so kind of relavent. Does no harm to try.Especially after the GDPR changes and what information the DVSA can / can't give out to random 3rd parties without a valid reason. Being a member of the public wanting to take ownership of a car that's taken your fancy but isn't on your own land / property generally isn't a valid reason tbh.
If anyone should be applying to get the owners details it should be the land owner / business estate owner if they really want it off their property.
Or I could sit on my arse & do nothing, which more & more appear to be the norm these days.
Edited by IN51GHT on Wednesday 24th October 08:04
CAPP0 said:
IN51GHT said:
Have mailed them to see if they have any plans for it.
Apparently they've been waiting ages for someone to express an interest so that they can offer it for sale at a ridiculously-inflated price 
Part of me thinks it's been off the road 7 years & dumped here to be forgotten about so I should apply for the V5, part of me thinks that's immoral.
IN51GHT said:
Apparently not,I've found the owner on Linkedin & managed to get an email address, simply no response.
Part of me thinks it's been off the road 7 years & dumped here to be forgotten about so I should apply for the V5, part of me thinks that's immoral.
I say: Apply for the V5, take the car away, and fully restore it.Part of me thinks it's been off the road 7 years & dumped here to be forgotten about so I should apply for the V5, part of me thinks that's immoral.
Then, the rightful owner of the car, who apparently isn't completely untraceable, can claim back his car, in a lovely restored condition, at no cost to himself.
As will have been stated in all of those linked threads no doubt, that is the risk you would run.
(With a whole load of other possible complications thrown in for good measure)
4rephill said:
IN51GHT said:
Apparently not,I've found the owner on Linkedin & managed to get an email address, simply no response.
Part of me thinks it's been off the road 7 years & dumped here to be forgotten about so I should apply for the V5, part of me thinks that's immoral.
I say: Apply for the V5, take the car away, and fully restore it.Part of me thinks it's been off the road 7 years & dumped here to be forgotten about so I should apply for the V5, part of me thinks that's immoral.
Then, the rightful owner of the car, who apparently isn't completely untraceable, can claim back his car, in a lovely restored condition, at no cost to himself.
As will have been stated in all of those linked threads no doubt, that is the risk you would run.
(With a whole load of other possible complications thrown in for good measure)
If it isn't yours, and it is not on your land or in your property, I'd just leave it alone. If you have located him or have managed to get a message to him asking if he wants to sell it, i think you should leave it til you hear back.
And if you are very keen on a v8 roadster, you can pick up a decent one for what £10k or so? You could spend that restoring a poor one, easily.
I think you have done all you can and should. If you hear back, great, if not, ignore it!
And if you are very keen on a v8 roadster, you can pick up a decent one for what £10k or so? You could spend that restoring a poor one, easily.
I think you have done all you can and should. If you hear back, great, if not, ignore it!
Edited by poo at Paul's on Sunday 28th October 19:02
poo at Paul's said:
If it isn't yours, and it is not on your land or in your property, I'd just leave it alone. If you have located him or have managed to get a message to him asking if he wants to sell it, i think you should leave it til you hear back.
And if you are very keen on a v8 roadster, you can pick up a decent one for what £10k or so? You could spend that restoring a poor one, easily.
I think you have done all you can and should. If you hear back, great, if not, ignore it!
Yeah, it just bugs me to see a car rotting away year on year. Clearly unwanted.And if you are very keen on a v8 roadster, you can pick up a decent one for what £10k or so? You could spend that restoring a poor one, easily.
I think you have done all you can and should. If you hear back, great, if not, ignore it!
Edited by poo at Paul's on Sunday 28th October 19:02
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