stolen - recovered

[m_chalubowicz]

just a quick one
I have been offered a car that's been stolen and then recovered.
what are the catches and what I need to do and to know if I want to go for it?
Does it leave any mark of that fact in log book?
Cheers

 

[Mudster]

It will be registered as stolen recovered in much the same way as Cat "D" and Cat "C" are recorded, if it was subject to an insurance payout that is.

I have a vague recollection that this has it's own category though as not to confuse it with damaged vehicles, as in theory there's nothing a wrong structurally or otherwise with a car that disappeared for a while and then came back again.

I'm sure someone will fill me in on the details.

 

[SilverSaloon]

It will be registered as stolen recovered in much the same way as Cat "D" and Cat "C" are recorded, if it was subject to an insurance payout that is.

I have a vague recollection that this has it's own category though as not to confuse it with damaged vehicles, as in theory there's nothing a wrong structurally or otherwise with a car that disappeared for a while and then came back again.

I'm sure someone will fill me in on the details.

yeah i think it has its own Category for stolen/recovered. it all depends on whether the insurance paid out as a total loss on it or not.

 

[m_chalubowicz]

so the only thing to do is to apply for registration certificate to DVLA?

 

[andy27168]

I would still HPI it to make sure theres nothing else untoward with the car.

 

[Inkyskin]

Check how it runs too, it may have been HEAVILY ragged in the time it was stolen.

 

[m_chalubowicz]

Check how it runs too, it may have been HEAVILY ragged in the time it was stolen.

but if I am happy with the car and its condition and obviously HPI clear then will DVLA issue V5 doc? or do I need a vehicle identification checks VIC?

where to look for formal advice?

 

[Inkyskin]

So long as it isn't still listed as being stolen, you should be fine really. Taking new ownership and getting your new v5 "should" be straight forward - I don't know of anything stopping this.

Best thing to do if your still not sure is to call the DVLA - the best people to advise you really

 

[Shude]

When one of my previous cars was stolen and recovered 2 days later I paid for all the repair work and new locks etc, nothing was recorded. As far as any motoring paperwork is concerned that car was never stolen. There is probably some police documentation though.

HPI and other checks will never find this out if the insurance company has not been involved.

 

[janner]

You need to HPI the car. If it was recovered undamaged it should be HPI clear, even if the insurance company paid out.
If there some slight damage at all it will be recorded as a CatD but this will not affect the logbook situation.
If it was more seriously damaged it will be a CatC and this will show on the V5 and require a VIC.
CatD and CatC will both affect resale and probably make it near impossible to part exchange.
If the seller tells you it was CatD just because the insurance company paid out then he's either lying or misguided. If it was not damaged, it should not be recorded.

 

[nick mercedes]

just a quick one
I have been offered a car that's been stolen and then recovered.
what are the catches and what I need to do and to know if I want to go for it?
Does it leave any mark of that fact in log book?
Cheers

It will be either unrecorded, cat C or cat D.

If the car is priced accordingly, the cat rating is not too much of an issue, but if you come to sell it, it may well put some people off.

 

[m_chalubowicz]

thank you guys
you were really helpful

 

[Dieselman]

And you do have to declare it to potential purchases if it is catorgorised.

 

[nick mercedes]

And you do have to declare it to potential purchases if it is catorgorised.

"There is no law requiring traders to inform purchasers that cars have been subject to insurance claims or have been ‘written off’ by insurance companies. Traders have no legal obligation to tell purchasers about past repair work. If you ask the trader about these matters, he must answer truthfully or tell you if he doesn’t know."

Apparantly not.

 

[Ian B Walker]

You may require a VIC test too at £36. A VIC test is a Vehicle Identity Check. Takes about 5 mins to confirm that the car you have is what the authorities have it registered as.

 

[jadefox]

And you do have to declare it to potential purchases if it is catorgorised.

You actually don't have to!

I had a car which I bought from a "friend" who was a car dealer, I had it 4 years with no problems from a mechanical point of view, it was a nice little car. Till I came to try to part X it on another car from one of those car warehouse type places....got right to the "sign on the dotted line" and it came back that it had been stolen/recovered & previously written off.

I think the guy at the garage could see how visibly shocked I was!! I almost passed out because I had all the documentation of the car and nothing had ever made me believe that there had been any sinister history on the car.

Suffice to say they refused the car on that basis and I had to go away really red faced and shamed! lol

I would not have bought the car had I known its history so maybe something to figure into your purchase if you intend on selling it on.

 

[Dieselman]

You actually don't have to!

I'm pretty sure you do, it's a material fact and influences the value.

You got striped...

Your experience demonstrates why this is the case.

 

[jonm]

Wouldn't bother me in the slightest, its a car, it doesn't necessarily look or drive any different because of the stolen-recovered bit. However, you know a bit of history which you should check out, HPI, insurance, mechancial (could have been hammered) but this is nothing different to buying any used car in my view. I would check the same regardless of what I was buying (my current car could well have been thrashed from teh day it was first delivered, I have no idea, looking at the first 2 service intervals I wouldn't be surprised).

It is a good negotiating point, and something that you could be at the wrong end of come resaqle time.

Cheers

 

[m_chalubowicz]

thank you all
I will make my mind up.
The most important thing is the fact there shouldn't be a problem with DVLA paperwork. So I wont be stuck for ages with a non driveable car on a driveway.
Thanks again