Bought a Stolen Car without Knowing it

10 Posts
Help !!!!!!!!!!!!
About a year ago I saw a BMW I liked. The car was being sold by a dealer.
I paid a £200 deposit on my credit card and the balance was paid by debit card (over £10,000 in total). Before I bought the car I had a vehicle check carried out including a full vehicle data check (HPI, lost / stolen, on finance etc).
Yesterday I was pulled over by the police and told that the car had been reported stolen before I purchased it from the dealer and that they wanted to take the car back (it had taken the police a year to get the car onto their system). They have left the car with me but have told me that they maybe back to collect it anytime.
I am not too sure how to proceed on this and not too sure what my rights are - hence this post.
1. Do I have to give the car back as I bought it in good faith and had all the relevant checks done?
2. If I have to give it back, do I sue the dealer?
3. As I put the initial deposit down using my credit card, can I claim back the whole amount from my credit card company under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act?
4. I have spent a lot of money on the car including £1000 on a 3 year warranty. Can I also claim this money back if I have to give back the car?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
About a year ago I saw a BMW I liked. The car was being sold by a dealer.
I paid a £200 deposit on my credit card and the balance was paid by debit card (over £10,000 in total). Before I bought the car I had a vehicle check carried out including a full vehicle data check (HPI, lost / stolen, on finance etc).
Yesterday I was pulled over by the police and told that the car had been reported stolen before I purchased it from the dealer and that they wanted to take the car back (it had taken the police a year to get the car onto their system). They have left the car with me but have told me that they maybe back to collect it anytime.
I am not too sure how to proceed on this and not too sure what my rights are - hence this post.
1. Do I have to give the car back as I bought it in good faith and had all the relevant checks done?
2. If I have to give it back, do I sue the dealer?
3. As I put the initial deposit down using my credit card, can I claim back the whole amount from my credit card company under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act?
4. I have spent a lot of money on the car including £1000 on a 3 year warranty. Can I also claim this money back if I have to give back the car?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
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Replies
As for the other questions sorry i cant help you
But good luck
Not an easy one to deal with as you have done nothing wrong and may lose your money. Have you contacted your own insurance company?? sometimes they may help
goodluck
Owed £61k and £60ish mortgage
2010 owe £00.00 and £20K mortgage:D
2011 £9000 mortgage
Was it carried out by HPI, if so they guarantee that the information they provide to you is correct.
Take a look here:
http://www.hpicheck.com/newfrontend/viewTerms.do?page=guaranteeSummary.html
If it was not HPI that carried it out then I would advise contacting Consumer direct or Citizens Advice for help and advice.
Speak to your credit card company now for legal advice.
I am surprised the Police have left the car with you.
Yes - http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/section75-protect-your-purchases#deposit
The way I look at it, the dealer had no 'legal right' to sell me the car as it was stolen - even if he didn't know it was stolen.
You are quire correct, and you have a strong case against the dealer - but why have the police let you remain in possession of a vehicle known to be stolen? The standard procedure would be to seize the vehicle and arrest the driver and any other occupants of the vehicle.