Uk Border customs stripped my car with no VALID reason
Discussion
Hi There guys
A little help would go a long way plz.
I had been looking for a low mileage Fiat multipla for a while now, and was chuffed to bits to have found a genuine low mileage 32,000 mile one owner car (untouched by meddling hands)
Ive now owned this car for a couple of months now and over the weekend just gone, I popped over to Ghent in Belgium to meet a few mates.
on my way back to the Uk, on the french side, I was stopped by customs.
I provided my log book, passport, proff of where I had stayed (hotel) basically every thing they had asked for.
For NO VALID reason, they desired to set about my car with screw drivers and spanners etc taking bits of my inertia trim apart,
They told me to park my car in there garage and I was made to sit some distance away from my car, I was not aloud to stand over them to watch for damage to my property (car)
I could under stand if they had a reason, If they had found me to be carrying tabbaco, alcohol, maybe if they had smelt drugs on me etc etc etc, But I am/ was squeaky clean, I dont even smoke!!!!
These clowns who could NOT possibly be trained on EVERY aspect of EVERY car ever built , started tacking bits of my car, causing damage I and I had to simply watch on as they did this,
They broke lots of bits, trim, the whole plastic molding that runs just under the front wind screen now needs to be replaced as they broke this as well.
They left screws laying loss, my hand brake trim cover was left danging there, it was not a prity sight.
Unless I go over all the bits I saw them take apart, I have no way of knowing what else they damaged.
I am not happy to say the least, I cant say it enough, NO VALID reason !!!!
One of our rights in the UK is to be able (lawfully) to protect ones self and ones property, I had to site and watch them damage mine with no valid reason.
I am sure I have a claim there some where, But what would be the FULL extent of my claim??????
Could I include things like loss of use of my car while it is in for repair ???
what else could I claim for ????
A little help would go a long way plz.
I had been looking for a low mileage Fiat multipla for a while now, and was chuffed to bits to have found a genuine low mileage 32,000 mile one owner car (untouched by meddling hands)
Ive now owned this car for a couple of months now and over the weekend just gone, I popped over to Ghent in Belgium to meet a few mates.
on my way back to the Uk, on the french side, I was stopped by customs.
I provided my log book, passport, proff of where I had stayed (hotel) basically every thing they had asked for.
For NO VALID reason, they desired to set about my car with screw drivers and spanners etc taking bits of my inertia trim apart,
They told me to park my car in there garage and I was made to sit some distance away from my car, I was not aloud to stand over them to watch for damage to my property (car)
I could under stand if they had a reason, If they had found me to be carrying tabbaco, alcohol, maybe if they had smelt drugs on me etc etc etc, But I am/ was squeaky clean, I dont even smoke!!!!
These clowns who could NOT possibly be trained on EVERY aspect of EVERY car ever built , started tacking bits of my car, causing damage I and I had to simply watch on as they did this,
They broke lots of bits, trim, the whole plastic molding that runs just under the front wind screen now needs to be replaced as they broke this as well.
They left screws laying loss, my hand brake trim cover was left danging there, it was not a prity sight.
Unless I go over all the bits I saw them take apart, I have no way of knowing what else they damaged.
I am not happy to say the least, I cant say it enough, NO VALID reason !!!!
One of our rights in the UK is to be able (lawfully) to protect ones self and ones property, I had to site and watch them damage mine with no valid reason.
I am sure I have a claim there some where, But what would be the FULL extent of my claim??????
Could I include things like loss of use of my car while it is in for repair ???
what else could I claim for ????
As it is border control it is their prerogative to inspect any vehicle to the extent they desire.
It sounds like they had a suspicion about the vehicle whether valid or not - but they will always retain the authority to search and strip a vehicle until they are satisfied there is nothing illegal with it.
It sounds like they had a suspicion about the vehicle whether valid or not - but they will always retain the authority to search and strip a vehicle until they are satisfied there is nothing illegal with it.
You have my sympathy, OP, that's something that I have always dreaded happening as I've heard horror stories in the past.
Unfortunately with the customs people there is absolutely nothing you can do about it, it might be some "heard it down the pub" nonsense - but I believe they have more powers than the police.
Unfortunately with the customs people there is absolutely nothing you can do about it, it might be some "heard it down the pub" nonsense - but I believe they have more powers than the police.
No Honestly, nothing
I bought the car from an elderly gent who owned it from new.
I am a white male of 50 years, My Hobbies are classic car restoration.
I work for a living as a floor layer,
I have NEVER been arrested in my life, I have NO CCG,s , NO criminal record, never been involved in ANYTHING drug/knife/alcohol related crime
Just a normal honest guy
I bought the car from an elderly gent who owned it from new.
I am a white male of 50 years, My Hobbies are classic car restoration.
I work for a living as a floor layer,
I have NEVER been arrested in my life, I have NO CCG,s , NO criminal record, never been involved in ANYTHING drug/knife/alcohol related crime
Just a normal honest guy
I ‘think’ they have the right to search/take apart any car and they don’t even have to rebuild it. They can take it apart into a thousand pieces and then just leave you the pieces to rebuild.
I’m NOT saying you were but a lesson to all is never be a smart arse with the Inland Revenue or Customs. They have loads of power and it’s just not worth it.
Best of luck though.
I’m NOT saying you were but a lesson to all is never be a smart arse with the Inland Revenue or Customs. They have loads of power and it’s just not worth it.
Best of luck though.
Atomic12C said:
As it is border control it is their prerogative to inspect any vehicle to the extent they desire.
It sounds like they had a suspicion about the vehicle whether valid or not - but they will always retain the authority to search and strip a vehicle until they are satisfied there is nothing illegal with it.
Surely its illegal to damage it in the process of conducting their duty? It sounds like they had a suspicion about the vehicle whether valid or not - but they will always retain the authority to search and strip a vehicle until they are satisfied there is nothing illegal with it.
OP I suspect there was a marker on the car prior to your purchase which has led them to do what they done.
I'm afraid I cannot help you with your claim questions but you have my sympathies. I think their motivation might be simply a case of single male in a large vehicle with plenty of space to hide things. Similar happened to my father many years ago when he drove back through in a camper van on his own.
I am at present undergoing the restoration of my two classic cars,
Imaging after spending all these years rebuilding them, one is ever subjected to being set about by these clowns who really were NOT trained!!!!
They didnt have a clue how things come apart or go back to gather again, shocking really
Imaging after spending all these years rebuilding them, one is ever subjected to being set about by these clowns who really were NOT trained!!!!
They didnt have a clue how things come apart or go back to gather again, shocking really
Urge said:
As I said, The person I bought the car from was the FIRST owner, he was an elderly gent on his 80s,
No reason for the car to have a marker on it
These elderly drug dealers are taking liberties... No reason for the car to have a marker on it
Seriously though, I guess you complained at the time? If so their must be a complaints procedure to follow. Maybe ring them up, but I would expect it to not be easy.
Before I was born my parents were coming back through Dover with my sister.
My Dad got pulled in for the search and they even took apart my sister's stuffed toy. They told my Dad if he complained any more they would take the car and he wouldn't have it returned. This would have been '84/85.
My Dad got pulled in for the search and they even took apart my sister's stuffed toy. They told my Dad if he complained any more they would take the car and he wouldn't have it returned. This would have been '84/85.
The OP could try making a complaint, but I wouldn't be holding any breath for a successful outcome.
Complaints Procedure.
Complaints Procedure.
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