sold car unaware of finance outstanding HELP!!!!?

Question

I purchased a car which I sold about a year and a half later. ^ months down the line the purchaser called me shouting that it had been repossessed. I didn't have a clue what she was on about but tried to help her. I called the finance company and explained that I had bought the car cash and had not taken any finance on it. They confirmed that the previous owner to me had done this. I explained that I and the current owner had bought the car in good faith unaware of any HP owing.

I cannot for the life of me remember the place I bought it from all I know is that it was on a main road in hillingdon. I destroyed the receipt about a month after selling the car as I moved house and had a clear out. I have explained this to the person that bought the car and have offered to explain in writing to whoever needs it.

Her and her husband have got very aggressive over this and keep demanding i give them their £800 back! They do not believe that I can't remember the place that I got it from!

I have now had the current owner accusing me of stealing the car, as I can't prove where I purchased it from!!!! This is verging on harrasment, surely?

I think I found the place I got it from!! looked on the net.

To all those who were very negative, I REALLY Could not remember the name of the place I got it from. It was a year and a half ago!! I have moved on!

I was unaware until now about getting hp checks or keeping receipts for something that I no longer own. I am worreid sick about this as I honestly did everything in good faith.

Answer 1

Don't they have car titles in England?

Answer 2

I'm surprised that they waited that long to "repo" the car. Usually it's much sooner, at least here in the States it is.

Seriously though, I suggest you start thinking REAL hard about WHERE you purchased the car. Try to go back to that general location where you think you bought it, just to refresh your memory. If you find the place, go there and explain your situation. Surely THEY have a record of you on file. You should be able to get a copy of a receipt from them.

If that doesn't work, go to your local Department of Motor Vehicles (or the British equivalent?) and ask for a history of the car. You will probably need the VIN number off of the car and the current tag numbers. Though I'm not 100% sure this is possible, considering its no longer your car. If you cannot do this, instruct the current owners to do this and explain why. If you do go there, explain your situation to them and ask their advice.

If THAT doesn't work, find out the name of the finance company and get the name of the guy who owes the bank money. The debt belongs to the owner before you, it is not your fault. Don't sweat the harrassment from the other people. After all, they DO have good reason to be angry (wouldn't you?) If they threaten you or continue to call, contact the police and you can put a peace warrant/restraining order (or British equivalent) against them to keep them from doing it.

Don't worry about contacting a lawyer, unless they try to sue you. Lawyers cost pretty big money.

For future reference, keep all major receipts/bills of purchase for at least 7-10 years...

Answer 3

If you have been in touch with the finance company surely they will hve details of the person you bought the car from. I feel very sorry for the people who bought it from you and not being funny but if I were them i'd be aggressive too. Cars cost lots of money and you don't just "forget" something like that! I bought a new car before christmas a good 50 miles from where I live, I had never been there before but if you ask me to direct you I could. It's not something you just "forget". I suggest you make some phone calls and try to locate the previous owners because I bet if you hadn't sold the car and it had been reposessed from you, you'd be able to remember then!!!!! What about the log book?

Answer 4

the law is very clear on this , you sold the car in good faith believing it to be yours to sell , in fact the car was never yours and so you are innocent of any crime .

the people who bought the car from you cannot pursue you for their money .

the owner is and has always been the finance company that lent the money to whoever you bought the car off and so they cannot be pursued for money .

the guy who had finance is guilty of an offence and if he is brought to court he would be ordered to pay these people back their money (probably at about £1 per week .)

if the car was repo'd when you had it you would have lost your money , why not explain this to the couple and offer £400 back so you can both make do until the real criminal is taken to court , you can then attend together and ask for your money back .

Answer 5

In Canada we can go to where we get our car license and for $20 or $25 check who previously owned the car. I don't know if you can do that in Britain but trying calling the Motor Vehicles and they may have a solution. Also get a lawyer and before giving back the 800 pounds this could be a scam. Good luck

Answer 6

You were both mad for buying a car without doing a HPI check!
You say they have repossessed the car, you had the car a year and a half obviously no payments were being made because you didnt know it was financed from the previous owner, didnt they contact you regarding payment? What did they say when you contacted them, you owed them a year and a halfs money! By the way receipts should be kept for SIX years

Answer 7

Look in the phone book and see if you recognise the name of the garage. If not have a drive round Hillingdon - its not a very big place. However, the problem is that of the person who sold it to you. You brought the car and sold it on in good faith.

Answer 8

Did you have any kind title for the car when you owned it? If so that me be of some assistance to you. My best thought would be to do a check on the VIN number of the car with your local license branch. I believe that the license branch would have records indicating that you drove and insured the car, both of which would require you to legally posess the car. If you stole the car, there is no way that the BMW is going to let you put a plate on it and drive it. These license branch records would probably be all you need for proof.

Answer 9

First check with your legal adviser. Usually, you can sell off your car even you still owe the finance some money. But when you sell of your car you may not get the money first. The money will go to the finance company to settle the odd that you owe them, then the balance of the money will bank in to your bank account.

Answer 10

I remember this happend to me once. I bought a house but forgot where it was and can't find the contract. Now I live in a box. Next time I'll probably be more careful.