Complex one - taking ownership of an abandoned car

vonfluff

Hi There,

I was wondering if someone could offer some help with this - our neighbours from a few doors down have done a "moonlight flit" to Spain (actually in February) and their house has been repossessed.

Their car is still on the drive and has recently been tagged with a sign which states that it will be towed away and scrapped if it isn't moved by the end of the week.

It seems a shame to see the car being scrapped as it's not very old and I'm sure I can get it up and running straight away - is there any way I can take ownership of it? The original owners are not contactable (If the bailiffs can't get them ...I've got no chance.) so I can't just get the logbook.

I spoke to the DVLA and they were unclear. I spoke to the police and they claimed that it was a civil matter. I really can't bear to see the car scrapped but on the other hand I don't want to be accused of stealing it. Would it be OK to possess it provided I registered this with the police and local council?

Is it possible to get replacement keys as I obviously won't have those?

Would be grateful for any help,

V

Conor_3

Well there used to be a general rule of thumb that a car left on a verge to the point where it got an abandoned vehicle notice on it was fair game.

I'd expect you'd probably be OK but just check that there's no finance outstanding on it and be aware that the original owners can still claim ownership down the line.

vonfluff

Thing is ...it's on a driveway ..not a verge, so would that still apply?

What if I came to sell it in the future?

Motmac

vonfluff wrote: »

Thing is ...it's on a driveway ..not a verge, so would that still apply?

What if I came to sell it in the future?

I think the first thing i would do is a vehicle check(hpi etc) as conor says.i would expect something to be not quite right for some reason......dont ususally get awt for nawt in this life,there has to be a catch.what car is it btw?

vonfluff

It's a vauxhall ...I think it's either a corsa or an astra ...will need to check

withabix

I would suspect it has outstanding finance on it, otherwise they would have flogged it or taken it with them?

vonfluff

How can I find out whether there is outstanding finance?

If I popped the locks and moved it - would that count as me stealing it

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

Get a hpi check on it.

It would only be theft if a complaint was made.

goldspanners

i would have thought the balliffs would have taken it?

2_litre

dear me of course its stealing its not your car

big_gay_kirk

Its only stealing if there is a dishonest intention to permamently deprive.. if there is no dishonesty, no theft has occurred.. now, I can't speak for your case, but I once aquired a very nice Hillman Avenger from the verge... all I did was apply for the log book to DVLA.. if they send it to you, you are then legally the registered keeper....but still not necessarily the owner, and resale then becomes problematic, as in legal terms you have the right to keep the car, but not the title to sell... not sur exactly what they do, but I towed the car home after applying, and about twelve weeks later got the V5 through the post... along with two outstanding parking fines, which I was apparently liable for.... and which I paid... i know other people who have done similar things, and sometimes its easy, sometimes its very complex...