Unknowingly bought a stolen car. Advice urgently needed.

Tilt

Woody. wrote: »

He either knew it was stolen when he sold it or he didn't. If he did and the police have evidence he would not be given the chance to refund the OP. If there is no evidnce he knew the police will not take any action against him and could not make him refund the OP as they are not a civil debt collection agency.:p

But It wouldn't be a civil debt because it is proceeds of crime. If the police prosecuted, the court could oder that the seller pays the unwitting buyer of the car £500 compensation. It is an option and a better one that the civil court.

I suggest that the OP consults a solicitor and get face to face proper advice as posters are starting to contradict eachother. But for the record, my money is on Wig's advice.

Woody._2

Tilt wrote: »

But It wouldn't be a civil debt because it is proceeds of crime. If the police prosecuted, the court could oder that the seller pays the unwitting buyer of the car £500 compensation. It is an option and a better one that the civil court.

If the police have no evidence the seller knew or believed it to be stolen they wouldn't prosecute the seller so he wouldn't be subject to a criminal court order or is that too much for you to comprehend?

Wig

Woody. wrote: »

If the police have no evidence the seller knew or believed it to be stolen they wouldn't prosecute the seller so he wouldn't be subject to a criminal court order or is that too much for you to comprehend?

And still the font of knowledge has not ushered one bit of advice to the OP

Tilt

Woody. wrote: »

If the police have no evidence the seller knew or believed it to be stolen they wouldn't prosecute the seller so he wouldn't be subject to a criminal court order or is that too much for you to comprehend?

And exactly how do you know they hav'nt any evidence? You wern't 'Jeepstar' in a previous life by any chance?

And like Wig says, when are you going to actually contribute something useful for the OP?

bassmomma

Well.
Finally received a call from the police to say they had completed their investigation.
The good news is that we were able to pick up the car today from the impound and that we did not have to pay any charges at all..Hooray.
No one is being prosecuted and the car is legally ours, as we said all along.

Cheers guys..

Tilt

Very pleased that common sense has prevailed. No way should you have been responsible for the charges.

Wig

Thanks for the update.

Woody woodpecker can be proud of all the help he gave here.