Car reported stolen 4 months after purchase

Car reported stolen 4 months after purchase

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Discussion

7795

1,070 posts

180 months

Sunday 14th May 2017
quotequote all
BMWBen said:
Mrr T said:
PorkInsider said:
CypSIdders said:
I am the bearer of bad news, if the car you bought has, in fact, been stolen you'll lose the car and the money you paid for it!
Absolutely.

OP, not sure what you're meaning when you say you can't believe the owner will get their car back and you'll have no legal rights?

What else would you expect?
Do not disagree if the car was stolen. This would mean the thief broke into the property, I assume, stole all the paper work for the car, the V5, the keys and the car and then sold it.

That could have happened but also its possible the owner allowed someone to house sit maybe even use the car. That person then sold the car with paper work and pocketed the money. The owner returns and reports the car stolen. In this case, as per the other similar thread, it all becomes a question of what authority did that person have to dispose of the car. If this is the case then it much more complex. Based on other posts if it is the Police are likely to take no action and allow it to be settled by a civil case.
It's actually much simpler than that - a friend of mine had it happen to his car. It goes like this:

1. Spot that a car hasn't moved for a while
2. Apply for the v5 from the DVLA - they'll send a letter to the registered keeper, and if they don't get a response, they'll send one out to the "new keeper".
3. Go to dealership and purchase replacement keys, present them with the V5, and maybe an insurance document
4. Ask them for service history print out.
5. Put car up for sale, sell it, move on and disappear.
I was asked for proof of address and photo id (dl or passport) as well as the v5 etc essentially to stop the above as you describe it.


Edited by 7795 on Sunday 14th May 21:37

JM

3,170 posts

205 months

Monday 15th May 2017
quotequote all
Loulou1981 said:
dread to think we're going to lose the car and the £15k we paid for it. Very depressing indeed!
Loulou1981 said:
I can see us having to give back the car and lose the £14k we paid for it... Which is utterly, utterly depressing.
confused

Loulou1981

Original Poster:

13 posts

82 months

Monday 15th May 2017
quotequote all
JM said:
confused
Wow!! Is this board full of English teachers?!!! Picking up on every single typo going it seems...

JM

3,170 posts

205 months

Monday 15th May 2017
quotequote all
Loulou1981 said:
JM said:
confused
Wow!! Is this board full of English teachers?!!! Picking up on every single typo going it seems...
So which one is the typo? The £14k or the £15k?


Loulou1981 said:
The address matched what was on the MOT papers.
What address? The garage that did the MOT? But you didn't buy it from a garage... more confusion typos?



Loulou1981

Original Poster:

13 posts

82 months

Monday 15th May 2017
quotequote all
JM said:
What address? The garage that did the MOT? But you didn't buy it from a garage... more confusion typos?
No typos there... Just confusion on your part. I was stating that the address we met the seller at when we bought the car matched the address that was listed on the MOT papers (when it was MOT'd just before we bought it).
Not that confusing it is??

JM

3,170 posts

205 months

Monday 15th May 2017
quotequote all
Loulou1981 said:
JM said:
What address? The garage that did the MOT? But you didn't buy it from a garage... more confusion typos?
No typos there... Just confusion on your part. I was stating that the address we met the seller at when we bought the car matched the address that was listed on the MOT papers (when it was MOT'd just before we bought it).
Not that confusing it is??
The only address on an MOT certificate/receipt is the address of the garage (Inspection Authority) doing the MOT.

You said you bought it from a residential premises (possible house share).


I'm sure I'm not the only one confused.

poo at Paul's

14,116 posts

174 months

Monday 15th May 2017
quotequote all
Loulou1981 said:
JM said:
What address? The garage that did the MOT? But you didn't buy it from a garage... more confusion typos?
No typos there... Just confusion on your part. I was stating that the address we met the seller at when we bought the car matched the address that was listed on the MOT papers (when it was MOT'd just before we bought it).
Not that confusing it is??
Plenty of people are trying to help you, but you are not helping, tbh. But in answer to your question, "Yes", it is that confusing.
What do you mean by the address on the "MOT papers". Do you mean the MOT station address is the same as the residential house you went to to buy the car? If so, that's not correct, the garage doing the MOT would have to be a proper garage with an MOT licence, equipment etc. Sorry if you know all that, but that's what's making people scratch their heads.

I suggest if you want proper help from here, you clarify a few things and provide more details.
Such as
Where was the car advertised, what car is it (don't need to be too specific, but year and make would be useful) and how much was if advertised for. The reason I ask this is it is important to gauge if it has the makings of a bona fide transaction or not, which will be important in law. The advert is important as it may well show if it was a private or trade ad, eg Autotrader does show this , some ebay ads will also.

What address was showing on the V5 log book document you saw? Did it show a previous owner, or did the trader only show you the trader slip of the V5? The address you went to, was it the same address to view and buy the car, or did you view it and buy it in one visit? Or did you see the car initially at one place, then do the final deal at another place.

What price was the car advertised at and how much did you agree to pay in the end?

When you bought it and viewed it, was it on the same reg plate you now have it on or have you changed it, or did the dealer change it prior to you taking ownership, eg was it on the old owners personal reg when you saw it, have you put a personal reg on it since? Important for people who may be looking for it identifying it.

Did it have both sets of keys and all the service and handbooks when you first viewed it and also when you collected it. if you have two keys, have you checked they both work on both unlocking and starting the car. What about the actual manual door locks, if you stick the keys in a turn do they open the doors.

Did you ever ask if it was a private or trade sale? It makes quite a difference in law.

Was there any info you had in any docs you got with the car that show the previous owners name and address, eg invoices, quotes for work etc. IF so, does this name and address match the name you see on your current V5 log book as the "previous keeper".

Did you or have you since check the actual chassis numbers on the car (under windscreen and / or on bulkhead / drivers side floor depending on car) against the VIN (number) on the V5 log book? Have you taken it or can you take it to a dealer to be plugged into a diagnostic machine? There is a record of the true VIN per the ECU (car's brain) which is read and you can check that against your paperwork.

Answer some or all of this and you may get some decent advice, but don't half tell the story or miss bits out as it is confusing as fk at the moment, and you will get little info of help as a result.

You should also consult a legal adviser who will want to know all the above at least.