Visit from the police - apparently my car was an insurance write off?

Katgoddess

My parents had a visit from the police while I was out. Apparently my car is an insurance write off and they want to check under the bonnet for the number.

The car was given to me free two years ago and has gone through 2 MOTs at two different garages, and is taxed and insured. I have the log book. It belonged to the teenage daughter of a work colleague before me.

I also had my car broken into 3 months ago, and when the police can around to fingerprint they checked the VIN then. I'm not sure if it's related to that? But surely it can't take 3 months for them to check on the computer?

Anyway I shall call them tomorrow and get this sorted out. But is it possible for the car to be an insurance write off and I still have the log book etc? I'm very confused.

The car is a 1988 ford fiesta so isn't worth anything anyway??

Thanks

anewman

AFAIK when a car becomes a write-off it's technically property of the insurance company, but can be bought-back or something like that. I can't see how it would become insurance company property and them not take the care to be bothered to come and get it/scrap it or whatever's involved, leaving the police to get interested. As ts_aly2000 says, wow, crime of the century - lol.

I can't see how the DVLA would have allowed the car's ownership to be transferred though if it was the property of an insurance company, as the previous V5 would have been invalid. This is a confusing one. Have to wonder if they were scamsters trying to get hold of the car's keys so they could go weight it in for scrap and get some money.

Conor_3

Katgoddess wrote: »

But is it possible for the car to be an insurance write off and I still have the log book etc?

Absolutely, especially if it's a CAT D which can just be simply because the time between it being nicked and then recovered is over a certain period.

"Insurance write off" is a very vague term as it doesn't only cover heavy damage but stuff which isn't financially viable to repair at a bodyshop using genuine parts. For example, I've known older cars be written off purely because the locks had been damaged but as the car was worth £500 and the locks cost nearly that, it was declared a write off even though it doesn't affect the safety of the car at all.

Katgoddess

anewman wrote: »

Have to wonder if they were scamsters trying to get hold of the car's keys so they could go weight it in for scrap and get some money.

This is what I am worried about. Especially seeing as it was broken into 3 months ago. I don't think they could get the engine started because they forgot about the choke!!!

Incidentally there is a car exactly like mine 4 blocks down sitting on the driveway with the wheels off looking like it is having a major overhaul. Hmmm. :cool:

It would have changed hands twice assuming my work colleague is innocent!!!

steveo3002

i guess it could have been crashed when it was near new...what some people do is steal a car thats the same and transfer the i.d of the crashed car onto the stolen one

cant really see why theyre chasing a 88 fiesta though

good point about the scammers...be carefull

exprog

Years ago I had a minor accident with my motor bike.

The insurance company declared the bike to be a write off. That means the insurers have deemed the bike uneconomic to repair. However, my bike was basically in good condition. It was explained to me that I could take whatever money the insurers were prepared to offer and get the bike repaired: it simply meant that I had to pay the amount not covered by the insurance payout.

So I got it repaired.