Finding previously owned vehicles

nigpay1

Hi,
Is there a way to find the current owner of 2 cars I previously owned?
I know that the two I want to find do not currently have tax which suggests they may have been scrapped or they may just be off the road.
One is a classic VW Beetle that I'd like to find and another has a cherished number plate that I'd like to own once more.
thanks

The_Rainmaker

Check the VED/MOT status on both vehicles and that will give you a start.

nigpay1

I can get the tax/mot status but was looking to find the owner to potentially buy back the cars. Thanks

Mercdriver

Your subject needs to be more specific to include the fact that you need to find the present owners.  DVLA won't tell you because of DATA protection.

nigpay1

It says current owners in the post. 

cymruchris

Join up a few of the classic car fb groups - post a 'wanted information' ad up with a few pics of the cars if you have them. There's a chance that somebody somewhere will know where they are if they still exist. 

Mercdriver

nigpay1 said:

It says current owners in the post. 

It doesn't in the title.  At the best of times with clear titles threads go off on a tangent.  You assume that people do more than skim read most OPs.  That's optimistic at best.

nigpay1

By talking about the thread title are you not taking the thread off on a tangent?

Carrot007

Ha got to love the predictably pedantic posts!

I knew what you meant, they did too.

So to answer your question. Well It they are still on the database they still exist (unless of some recent action not yet updated). However beyond posing as a car park scum and asking the DVLA for the details that way there is not much you can do beyond wondering around or contacting groups if is it something that would be in a group. So no, no (reliable) legal method, I mean you could hire a private detective, but they also could do no more!

nigpay1

Thanks carrot007, nice to hear a useful response!

It’s the number plate rather than the VW that I’m more interested in. Do you know, if the car that it’s on has been scrapped, presumably the number plate is then lost?

Carrot007

nigpay1 said:

Thanks carrot007, nice to hear a useful response!

It’s the number plate rather than the VW that I’m more interested in. Do you know, if the car that it’s on has been scrapped, presumably the number plate is then lost?

No if it had been scrapped the number plate goes back in the pool to be reused or bought.

However as I said if the plate check it still showing on the database it is either unknown (to be investigated) or sorn. So should still exist unless disposed of though no complient methods. (which I have no idea if they follow up as you would expect the registered keeper to say here's my proof of sale etc).