How do I trace who bought my old car?

renegadefm

Complicated story but I sold a car in December last year, then the new keeper kept complaining about things that was supposed to be wrong with it, yet there was nothing wrong with it when we sold it. And they were demanding money back on it weeks after we sold it. Saying there was a water leak, but we didnt notice having to top up the coolant regularly or anything. Anyway cutting the long story short,  the person we sold the car to owes £140 to my mechanic who I recommend to fix the leak,  as I was just trying to be helpful as they didnt have a regular mechanic, yet I done a resent vehicle online check and it seems they sold the car again on the 27th February, yet has still failed to pay the outstanding balance of £140 to the mechanic I recommended. So I feel embarrassed because now my mechanic who I thought I was helping keep business up is out of pocket. And the person who bought my car isnt answering calls. 

renegadefm

Oh by the way clutching at straws I know but I was thinking the current buyer might have contact details of who bought it from me,  so I can pass it onto my mechanic who is owed money.
Is there a, way to trace or find addresses of who owns cars? I know the police has this but what about us? 

Scrapit

Sounds like your mechanics problem and nothing to do with you.

AdrianC

No, you can't find details of the current keeper of a vehicle.

Doesn't your mechanic know who he extended credit to...? That's not exactly great business sense, is it?

The_Rainmaker

Funny you didn't post about this at the time since you post about everything else?

droopsnoot

It is strange that your mechanic allowed them to take the vehicle without insisting on payment on collection, and without at least getting their details. As harsh as it sounds, and I understand you will feel bad about it especially if you use that mechanic again, it really is their problem. As the buyer already "had form" for on the face of it not being entirely trustworthy, it's even more strange. Maybe that person, without you knowing, suggested that you would be paying as they considered it to be your problem.

Either way, there's no way you'll find this information. Your mechanic, on the other hand, might be able to say they have a good reason for having it, and could perhaps apply to the DVLA on the basis that they want to pursue a small claim against the then-owner.

shaun_from_Africa

Provided that the mechanic has a garage and isn't simply a sole trader then they should be able to obtain the details of the registered keeper from the DVLA (but with the current situation, this may take a very long time).
https://www.gov.uk/request-information-from-dvla

Car_54

shaun_from_Africa said:

Provided that the mechanic has a garage and isn't simply a sole trader then they should be able to obtain the details of the registered keeper from the DVLA (but with the current situation, this may take a very long time).
https://www.gov.uk/request-information-from-dvla

That link provides for an individual to request information: there's nothing to suggest that a sole trader would be excluded.

shaun_from_Africa

Car_54 said:

That link provides for an individual to request information: there's nothing to suggest that a sole trader would be excluded.

A sole trader isn't excluded from but if you read the information on the link, an individual can only obtain the RK's details:
following an accident,
if a vehicle has been abandoned or is trespassing on their property,
or if you are the executor of a will.

but a garage or motor repair business can obtain the details if it's in regard to an unpaid bill.

Car_54

shaun_from_Africa said:

Car_54 said:

That link provides for an individual to request information: there's nothing to suggest that a sole trader would be excluded.

A sole trader isn't excluded from but if you read the information on the link, an individual can only obtain the RK's details:
following an accident,
if a vehicle has been abandoned or is trespassing on their property,
or if you are the executor of a will.

but a garage or motor repair business can obtain the details if it's in regard to an unpaid bill.

You're right. DVLA seem to be assuming that a "garage or motor repair business" must be a limited company.  Blatant discrimination agains sole traders!

Willberry

If I've read your post correctly you sold a vehicle to someone but don't know who that someone is. You appear to have been in contact with that person several times after the sale took place. I would have thought that you would surely have some personal details which you could pas on to your mechanic or could it be the case that you arranged for the repair through your mechanic and the person to whom you sold the car decided rightly or wrongly, truthfully or otherwise, that you would also be paying the bill. Otherwise I cannot see how any garage would allow a car to be removed before the bill was paid.