Car never paid for - how to obtain details?

Pavel_S

Right, thought I'd ask here as you're all experts!

About two years ago I sold a car (1989 BMW reg. G314 SBW) really hastily via Gumtree in Cambridge. It was about £600. I got paid £200 with the balance to be paid within a week. As you can probably guess where this is going, I never got the balance.

Let's not get dragged into why I let it go etc. I needed it gone there and then due to it being without a parking space, but either way I've accepted it as a mistake and am prepared to accept the lost money in "experience-bucks". Me = Numpty. Dealt with.

I was unsuccessful with getting the coppers to do anything as it's not a criminal case. I took the matter to small claims court (my initial letters to the buyer went unanswered), they defaulted in my favour as there was no response from the other party.

When the bailiff went round the guy had already moved from there with "no indication of his whereabouts and no saleable assets".

Basically that was case closed.

I find myself in a position where I'm still the owner as far as I can tell, but with no idea of where this vehicle is.

I've on numerous occasions tried to contact the DVLA to obtain this information but they always reject me saying I don't have a "legitimate reason for this information". The small claims court claim was done online and their judgment doesn't mention the vehicle specifically, simply that they ruled in my favour regarding the debt (which is circa £400). Even forwarding all the details to the DVLA doesn't seem to make much impact.

I WAS the registered keeper before selling it (i.e. I'm not a trader) but I still can't obtain the information.


I've written the whole thing off, but I would like this thing to come to a close one way or another. As the DVLA aren't helping, could somebody tell me if there's anything I can do?

1) Can I go to the police and report the vehicle as stolen?

2) Can I request a new V5 from the DVLA and register myself as the keeper?

3) Can the police help in any other way?


It still came up as taxed and MOT'd last time I checked, so I'd really like to track down the guy and pass his details on.

The car or any outstanding monies received would just be a bonus! I don't "need" the cash or anything, but it's really bothering me that the details are so easily accessible (DVLA) yet nobody seems to be willing to cooperate.


Any advice? (Not including not to sell the car until all the money's in hand!!)

Ta,
Pavs

harveybobbles

*checks his calendar to make sure it's not the 1st of April...*

Pavel_S

Excuse me?

thenudeone

Have you asked the baliffs / debt collection agency about tracing him? Many Lenders subscribe to GAIN ("Gone Away" Information Network) which should find him if he ever applies for credit (such as a catalogue) using the same details, but it sounds more likely that he's a cash in hand type of person.

When someone defaults on their car loan the finance company can eventually get the car marked on the Police Computer as "stolen" and it will be returned to them if the Police ever find it. Your situation appears similar: i.e. you sold the car on credit and the buyer has defaulted on the payments. I've never bough a car on credit so there may be something else to it, but perhaps this is worth pursuing this line with the Police?

A quick chat with a private investigator might give some other ideas.

Finally - some household legal policies will pay if a judgement in your favour remains unpaid. Worth having a look.

davemorton

I would have thought that they would not give you the details of the present keeper, because you dont own the car any more. The court just said the bloke owed you the money, not that the car was still yours. Chances are its been sold to a different owner now anyway, so why cause them any hassle, just because you made a daft mistake.

minibbb

You cant report it stolen, its a civil dept and has been dealt with by the civil court.

I would suggest you write to the DVLA confirming that you are no longer the keeper (to prevent the speeding/parking fines coming your way). There's no point trying to register it in your name, this wouldnt help in the slightest. Sadly you need to accept that you've lost out on some money due to an error of judgement at the time.

Im not that up on the civil court system but wont the buyer have a CCJ against him now? If so, that'll ruin his credit for some time!

Pavel_S

Thanks - the bailiffs are appointed/sent by Northampton County Court - they don't trace, they will just revisit if I am able to provide them with his whereabouts.

I'm not a lender, and I doubt he's much of a financing chap to be honest, but I did wonder how it's possible to flag the car up as stolen, or even as "finance outstanding" so that it would come up on an HPI check should someone ever run one - unlikely obviously given that it's an old banger in most people's opinion.

Didn't realise about the household policies - unfortunately I doubt it'll be fruitful as this happened (including the judgment) before I owned the house and the relevant insurance policy.

Pavs

Pavel_S

Yes he has a CCJ against him now.

I've accepted all of the error side of things - I'm simply here to see whether there's something that I can do as I'm sure collectively you're all a lot more clued up on the technicalities of this than I am.

Pavs

marlot

If he has an unusual name you could try 192.com

vaio

don't suppose he paid you by cheque?

Pavel_S

Fraid not! And unfortunately I don't think Patel qualifies as an unusual name.

Cheers,
Pavel