Police Seize Vehicle After Seller Fails To Settle Finance.

A driver has had a newly purchased vehicle seized by police near Penrith after a finance company reported it as stolen because the previous owner had not settled the outstanding finance.

According to Cumbria Police, officers were alerted to the vehicle as it was travelling out of Appleby. Police subsequently located the vehicle and stopped it in Langwathby. The driver told officers that they had recently bought the vehicle and were unaware of the issue with the finance agreement. The previous owner had reportedly sold the vehicle without paying off the outstanding finance.

As a result, the finance company reported the vehicle as stolen. Although the new owner made unsuccessful attempts to contact the finance company, officers said the vehicle still had to be seized. The vehicle was then returned to the finance company while the financial dispute was dealt with. The incident highlights the potential problems buyers can face when purchasing a second-hand vehicle with outstanding finance.

Eden Police advised people considering buying a used vehicle to carry out appropriate checks before completing a purchase. Officers specifically recommended considering an HPI check, which can provide information about a vehicle's history and outstanding finance.

Buying a vehicle without checking its financial status can leave a purchaser facing significant difficulties if money is still owed against it. In some circumstances, the finance company's rights over the vehicle can continue even after it has been sold to another person.

The incident serves as a reminder for motorists to carry out checks before handing over money for a used vehicle. Checking the vehicle's history and finance position can help buyers identify potential problems before completing a purchase.

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