Car finance, couple split, Car MIA

[Sycamore]

Howdy

Not sure if this should go in law, or finance

Bit of an odd one - A friend(ish) of mine (stupidly) signed for car finance on a car for her at-the-time boyfriend because his credit rating meant he couldn't have it in his name.

They split up, she got sectioned, and he took the car and disappeared.

The car payments still come out of her account, and for a time he was sending the money over monthly. Of course this has stopped, and she's unable to contact him or knows where he is.

What options does she have? Her credit rating is already shot to st through being sectioned and everything going downhill, so things can't get much worse. She has no idea who the finance is with, and it was registered to an address that she inevitably got booted out of when sectioned.

She is of course still fully responsible for the car and the finance company rightfully wont give a st about the situation wioth her ex and being in the MH ward.


It's very difficult to not say "I told you so..." I must admit...

Cheers

[nordboy]

Why doesn't she just call the finance company and explain the situation to them? They would have dealt with situations like this many times previously. They'll give her the options available I'm sure.

And she must know who the finance company is as the DD's will be coming out of her account.

[Sycamore]

nordboy said:

Why doesn't she just call the finance company and explain the situation to them? They would have dealt with situations like this many times previously. They'll give her the options available I'm sure.

And she must know who the finance company is as the DD's will be coming out of her account.

I've said exactly the same thing. She's fresh out of the mental health hospital so it's a balancing act

I'm going to have to go through it with her - So I appreciate the advice as it'll be me needing to do the legwork I suspect. She doesn't have contact with any of her family or friends with exception to me as they were the reason she got the padded white jacket to begin with.

Thanks

[Shooter McGavin]

Phone the finance company, explain the situation, give as many details as possible about the former partner.

They will hopefully attempt to repo the car, presuming they can track it.

Car will get sold at auction, with proceeds going towards her debt. Any balance will remain payable.

[Sycamore]

Cheers gents. All good fun over the sake of a bloody Vauxhall Mokka

[alscar]

Shooter McGavin said:

Phone the finance company, explain the situation, give as many details as possible about the former partner.

They will hopefully attempt to repo the car, presuming they can track it.

Car will get sold at auction, with proceeds going towards her debt. Any balance will remain payable.

Also make sure that the Finance company knows you have express permission from your friend to talk to them on her behalf - she may need to give that permission over the phone before you chat.
Otherwise they won’t talk to you.

[Collectingbrass]

Who's name is the V5 in? If it's hers then there is perhaps a case to be made that the vehicle has been taken without consent, certainly now the payments from the ex have stopped. She might be able to use that as a reason to report it to the police. Plod will be unlikely to be able to do much about it, unless it pings an ANPR car, but the ex won't be able to sell it at least. Reporting TWOC would also (I think but I am no lawyer) protect her against any motoring offence fines committed by the ex as well.

How is the road tax paid? She could stop that direct debit and alongside the TWOC potentially have a defence against the taxation offence (again, I think but I am no lawyer) and it is probable that the clampers DVLA use find it before the police do. Ditto for insurance?