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Original poster

been given a car, no log book. owner missing. what do i do with it?

76 replies

freezingmytitsoff · 13/12/2012 12:08

i have a family member who used to live near me. about 3yrs ago he moved abraod. he left a car at one of his freinds houses who lived near me. the car has sat there for 3yrs, his friend contacted me and said the council was going to tow it if it wasn't moved so i got someone to pick it up and park it at there parents house.
now the problem is we have no keys and no logbook!
i have till jan 1st to move from where it is.
the family memeber who owns it is uncontactable, i have tried every possible way of finding him but can't.
it is worth about 2,000 and i could really do with the money.
i don't drive and know nothing about cars.
what the hell do i do?

OP posts:
greenfolder · 13/12/2012 14:23

If the owner can't be contacted how does it now belong to you?

Original poster
freezingmytitsoff · 13/12/2012 15:28

well i suppose it doesn't. ive contacted his mum, she doesn't want it and told me to do whatever i want with it.
at the end of the day it was better that i had it than the council.
i just don't know what to do now.

OP posts:
quietlysuggests · 13/12/2012 15:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GoldQuintessenceAndMyhrr · 13/12/2012 15:39

You cant sell it, it is not registered in your name. It was possibly not taxed, and may not have neither valid insurance or MOT, so driving it may be an offense. Congratulations, you have taken on a problem.

YDdraigGoch · 13/12/2012 15:41

Contact the DVLA and ask them how to transfer ownership. They deal with missing log books all the time - there's bound to be a transfer of ownership form. They won't care if any money has changed hands, or whether it was a gift.

Then contact the manufacturer and tell them you have lost the keys to the car - and are they able to supply a new set. I don't know what details they will need - but start with them, and they'll tell you what to do.

Collaborate · 13/12/2012 17:06

Let me get this right. Someone who isn't the owner says you can have it, and you believe that makes you the owner. Have I got it right?

bureni · 13/12/2012 17:10

Hardly worth lifting a car that has been lying outside for 3 years, its bond to have major problems that would cost a lot to fix. The DVLA will ned a leter from the previous owner and proof of ownership from the previous owner before the car can be registered in anyone elses name. Hardly worth the effort.

bureni · 13/12/2012 17:11

bleerdy keyboard Xmas Grin

FireOverBethlehem · 13/12/2012 17:17

Phone 101 and ask the police what to do - it's not likely to be insured or declared SORN so they can tow it away and save you the hassle.

However, as this is on the owner's parents' drive, why is this your problem to deal with? What will happen to it on 1st Jan?

LIZS · 13/12/2012 17:21

how did it get moved if no keys ? Doubt it is worth £2k if not driven in 3 years, presumably ahs no MOT, tax insurance ....

naturalbaby · 13/12/2012 17:26

how did they move it if you don't have the keys?!
It sounds very far fetched, you've got a big job on your hands convincing anyone to get it legal to sell on.

titchy · 13/12/2012 20:32

I could do with a couple of grand - the cars mine!

Wallace · 13/12/2012 21:02

The DVLA will write to the previous keeper. If no reply within a certain time limit you will become the registered keeper.

confuugled · 13/12/2012 22:06

Don't you need to make sure that it's got it's SORN notice or something similar otherwise you (or he) can be liable for not paying road tax. Sure someone else will know more about it than me, but there's something pinging in the back of my head that's saying it's worth checking out as you don't want to find yourself landed with a bill or worse, a fine!

MOSagain · 14/12/2012 11:51

You do realise that by assuming ownership you could be guilty of theft?

ClareMarriott · 14/12/2012 19:51

Dear Freezing

It's coming up to Christmas..... the car has been moved sans keys to the driveway of his mother's house. If she can't contact him to find out what he wants done with the car...... I would leave it with her to sort out and not get involved yourself

Original poster
freezingmytitsoff · 15/12/2012 18:42

i only took it because it was going to get taken by the council.
i have made some calls and its worth more like 5,000-6,000 as its a vintage VW.
we put it on a trailer.
i don't think the police would arrest someone unless the car was reported stolen.
its not on his mums drive its on my friends mums drive. she said it has to gone by 1st jan.
i am going to apply for the log book and see what they say, there is no way that they will be able to contact the owner.
then i don't know what the hell do to with it!

OP posts:
ClareMarriott · 15/12/2012 21:17

Does'nt his mother have any contact details for him ? A mobile number or email address ? If he was to know how much it could possibly be worth that might galvanize him into some sort of action .

GoldQuintessenceAndMyhrr · 15/12/2012 21:25

You cant just assume ownership of somebody elses car!

How do you know this person wont be found? Is he dead?

What if he comes back from wherever he is, and wants his car? And find that YOU have sold it and taken the money?

This is absurd. This is like an episode out of trailer trash america.

greenfolder · 16/12/2012 10:17

The log book is a red herring. Having the car registered to you does not give you legal ownership.

You do not own the car, you cannot sell it. Even if you dud you have to hold the proceeds for the rightful owner.

Seriously you need to let this go.

VivaLeBeaver · 16/12/2012 10:27

If its a vintage vw most vw keys will fit it. I used to have a vw camper and anytime I've locked myself out my van I've flagged down a passing camper and used their keys.

So you should be able to get keys sorted. I'm guessing its a beetle? Don't let the council take it and scrap it. Vintage beetles are beautiful, but if its not been driven for two years its probably going to need a bit of tlc to get it running again.

Could you not just insure and use it yourself? Beetles need driving, they rot if left to sit so you'd be doing the owner a favour. Ask about on the vw forums about keys. If you have a reg number there may be a key tracing/cutting service that can be done without the original keys.

Collaborate · 16/12/2012 10:30

Even driving the car is a criminal offence - taking without consent.

VivaLeBeaver · 16/12/2012 10:37

If he's uncontactable and out the country he's not going to be reporting her is he? I suppose only the op knows what the owner is like, what are the chances of him ever coming back, if he did come back is he the sort to complain if his cars been driven?

If it was me I'd consider those things and then make a decision.

But yes, I suppose it would be illegal to drive it.

VivaLeBeaver · 16/12/2012 10:38

advice here

Looks like the dvla would send you a new v5 and let you be the owner.

CajaDeLaMemoria · 16/12/2012 10:38

You cannot touch this car unless you can get in contact with the owner. You will break a multitude of laws.

You'd need to go down the official route of making him a missing person and somebody taking over his assets/bank accounts etc. That will take a lot longer than January's 1st.

Put it into storage for now?

Do not sell it. It belongs to someone. Even if the owner is no longer alive, it forms part of their estate.

I'd be very concerned that it could have been involved in some very dodgy business. It will be from now on. You will struggle to legally insure it, having the log book doesn't make it legally yours and if you sell it you are asking for a legal battle. It doesn't matter who else has told you you can see it.

You need either direct permission from the owner or from someone legally responsible for their belongings.