Buying stolen landrover

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mundungus

mundungus

Active Member
Posts
754
Location
Essex
Hi all,

Went to look at a Defender today. Really nice car, looks like the owner previous to the current one had a lot of work done and I made the guy an offer on it.

Just got back, figured I'd do a quick mycarcheck.com on it. It flagged that it was stolen in 1995. But doesn't say it was recovered. However, it says the last change of owner was a few months ago which coincides with what the guy said. Also, the guy showed me the V5C with his name and address on it as well as a load of receipts for stuff that has been done to it (new gearbox amonst other things).

What do you guys reckon?

Is it ok or should I steer clear? Is there a better way to check?

I cant believe it could have been stolen 15 years ago, not recovered and then the DVLA would let someone else re-register it recently.

It looks like its worth the money we agreed on, so if its good to go ahead I wouldn't want to lose out.
 
mundungus said:
I cant believe it could have been stolen 15 years ago, not recovered and then the DVLA would let someone else re-register it recently.
.
Click to expand...

They do indeed... i lost a car years ago and it was registered many times even though it was stolen
 
mundungus said:
Hi all,

Went to look at a Defender today. Really nice car, looks like the owner previous to the current one had a lot of work done and I made the guy an offer on it.

Just got back, figured I'd do a quick mycarcheck.com on it. It flagged that it was stolen in 1995. But doesn't say it was recovered. However, it says the last change of owner was a few months ago which coincides with what the guy said. Also, the guy showed me the V5C with his name and address on it as well as a load of receipts for stuff that has been done to it (new gearbox amonst other things).

What do you guys reckon?


Is it ok or should I steer clear? Is there a better way to check?

I cant believe it could have been stolen 15 years ago, not recovered and then the DVLA would let someone else re-register it recently.

It looks like its worth the money we agreed on, so if its good to go ahead I wouldn't want to lose out.
Click to expand...

I rekon you should be ok.

The unbeleivable thing though is that DVLA DO issue V5's on stolen vehicles. My series 3 was nicked and the DVLA issued a V5 for it despite the fact that I phoned them and asked them not to since it was stolen. (the new keeper was unaware of the situation at that moment in time). There answer was that it was a civil matter and as long as they knew where to send the fixed penalty notices that was all that mattered.:mad::mad::mad:
 
Dewin said:
hpi check, I think they give a more detailed report
Click to expand...

OK, done the HPI report. That's saying its not currently stolen, but the details seem sketchy, as apparently I need to provide the VIN, Mileage and V5C serial number and issue date in order to get a full report. I'm not gonna have that until I buy the car.

Its a bit strange that one of them says stolen (although doesn't say recovered) and another says not currently recorded as stolen.

If I do an insurance quote tomorrow before going to get it, do you think they would be able to give more details? Or is it something only the police would know about?
 
a bit off topic but bought a motorbike no v5 so got one from dvla had bike 6 months then sold it new owner went to register it and the police came and took it, asked me lots of questions so i did the decent thing and pointed straight to the guy i got it from. just be carefull buying anything because it might just come bight you up arse
 
Hi All,

Thanks for your replies.

Decided to stay away on this one after all. After spending a morning on the phone getting the run around from the DVLA and Police (both of whom apparently "don't deal with that sort of thing" and directed me to each other).

I did speak to mycarcheck (the ones who flagged it) they told me that it currently isn't stolen as far as the police are concerned. But that may be due to it being over 6 years ago (apparently they clear the flag after 6 years). They did say that it was only a flag on the insurance database, and that this is independent of the police database. But couldnt (wouldn't) tell me which company nor how I could find out without paying them £20 to make a phone call on my behalf (with no guarantees that they'd find anything out either).

I asked whether by trying to insure it, the new insurance company might check the history. They said that these kind of flags are not checked when you do a quote with a new company. But will be checked if a claim is made.

The clincer was when I later spoke to a guy at one of the insurance companies I had got a quote from. He basically confirmed that insurance companies would happily quote and sell me insurance, but if I ever had to claim I'd be in for a nightmare to get any sensible payout. Basically the claims department would value it as a stolen vehicle and I'd be lucky to get £500 back. They might even just take it, depending on the outcome of the claim in 1995. He basically said that if it was his cash, he'd run a mile.

So I have.
 
mundungus said:
Hi All,

Thanks for your replies.

Decided to stay away on this one after all. After spending a morning on the phone getting the run around from the DVLA and Police (both of whom apparently "don't deal with that sort of thing" and directed me to each other).

I did speak to mycarcheck (the ones who flagged it) they told me that it currently isn't stolen as far as the police are concerned. But that may be due to it being over 6 years ago (apparently they clear the flag after 6 years). They did say that it was only a flag on the insurance database, and that this is independent of the police database. But couldnt (wouldn't) tell me which company nor how I could find out without paying them £20 to make a phone call on my behalf (with no guarantees that they'd find anything out either).

I asked whether by trying to insure it, the new insurance company might check the history. They said that these kind of flags are not checked when you do a quote with a new company. But will be checked if a claim is made.

The clincer was when I later spoke to a guy at one of the insurance companies I had got a quote from. He basically confirmed that insurance companies would happily quote and sell me insurance, but if I ever had to claim I'd be in for a nightmare to get any sensible payout. Basically the claims department would value it as a stolen vehicle and I'd be lucky to get £500 back. They might even just take it, depending on the outcome of the claim in 1995. He basically said that if it was his cash, he'd run a mile.

So I have.
Click to expand...


ere ratty/BoB - is it worth asking why on yo tame coppers site?
 
In April, we bought a rusted broken series 3 88 for £700 from a dealer in Kirkcaldy (bricks and mortar). we have a sales invoice and a new V5 in my name.

My son is 17 and has helped with the rebuild and is learning how to grind, cut, weld and graze his knuckles undoing rusty bolts. We've replaced a quarter chassis and dumb irons, wire brushed, red oxide-ed, painted, brake lines, new shocks and were about to put the body back on.

Last night the police arrived and told us it was stolen, 20 minutes later they loaded it up and are returning it to the rightful owner, albeit it in bits but in significantly better shape than we bought it in. If the boot was on the other foot I'd want my stolen landy back too.

I'm pleased it happened now and not in three months when the job was done and we had a gleaming refurbished landy with stainless bolts to hand back the the rightful owner.

Hard lesson No 1
If you buy a car even if it's for a few hundred quid, it's knackered and it's the right price for the condition, from a garage, do an HPI type check. It's heart breaking to watch it disappear down the drive on the back of a police tow truck after spending months of blood sweat and tears, not to mention the dreams of expeditions. Oh yes, and taking a bath on the only vehicle I thought would appreciate, is also somewhat disappointing.

If you're 100 miles or so from Edinburgh and have a really really cheap landy project for sale, as we've spent most our budget, please send a PM.

Thanks
Grant
 
Grantstew8 said:
In April, we bought a rusted broken series 3 88 for £700 from a dealer in Kirkcaldy (bricks and mortar). we have a sales invoice and a new V5 in my name.

My son is 17 and has helped with the rebuild and is learning how to grind, cut, weld and graze his knuckles undoing rusty bolts. We've replaced a quarter chassis and dumb irons, wire brushed, red oxide-ed, painted, brake lines, new shocks and were about to put the body back on.

Last night the police arrived and told us it was stolen, 20 minutes later they loaded it up and are returning it to the rightful owner, albeit it in bits but in significantly better shape than we bought it in. If the boot was on the other foot I'd want my stolen landy back too.

I'm pleased it happened now and not in three months when the job was done and we had a gleaming refurbished landy with stainless bolts to hand back the the rightful owner.

Hard lesson No 1
If you buy a car even if it's for a few hundred quid, it's knackered and it's the right price for the condition, from a garage, do an HPI type check. It's heart breaking to watch it disappear down the drive on the back of a police tow truck after spending months of blood sweat and tears, not to mention the dreams of expeditions. Oh yes, and taking a bath on the only vehicle I thought would appreciate, is also somewhat disappointing.

If you're 100 miles or so from Edinburgh and have a really really cheap landy project for sale, as we've spent most our budget, please send a PM.

Thanks
Grant
Click to expand...

So sorry to read that mate that's just heart breaking, I hope you and your son find another project soon and catch up to where you were.. good luck with the next one ;)
 
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