Sounds like a line already but I swear it's not for me it's my friend ! (I read the forums !!!)

Anyway he has a guy who is a friend of a relative (And so he though trustworthy) who said he could get him a car that he wanted at a good price. My friend handed over £1500 and his old car which the garage were going to sell for him and use some of that money to do the repairs to the new car and return the rest to him (With me so far ?) His new car has not turned up in two weeks now and was supposed to be in London (He has not actually seen the car). The guy now appears to be avoiding all phonecalls and never around at the garage. He has a receipt for the £1500 cash but he has nothing for the car. He is going tomorrow to see if he can track him down and see if he can get the money back, but if that fails does anyone else have any ideas ? Should the police be next ? What are the chances of getting anything back ?

Any help appreciated,

Jon.

Sorry my first post is so long !

It is never a good idea to agree to buy and/or pay for a car without seeing it.

Before involving the police, you need to try and sort things out with the seller. If the car was sold by the garage then at least you will have a business name and address. In my view you would be better calling round a few times then writing a few letters then threatening court action and if no car or refund materialises, taking the matter to court.

http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/infoabout/claims/index.htm

Cheers for the link, I am writing the letter as we speak ! The bit that I was unsure of was the fact that he sold the car and kept the money, thats why I thought the police might need to be involved, it's almost theft ? I know my friend didn't sign the DVLA document but I'm not sure if thats of any help ?

There's certainly no harm in talking to the police. If you do you can phone up and ask for an appointment to report the matter rather than trying to explain everything on the phone.

Hi --- The £1500 cash has been recorded as changing hands to which your friend has a receipt for, which means the sum of money was exchanged voluntarily and is a civil matter to which private legal action would be needed regarding the final outcome, should things go wrong.

The old car however is still legally registered in your friends name, that could become a criminal matter in which the Police would become involved with, if your friend does not either sign over the ownership, or the car is not returned as he requests.

Thanks for all the replies. We have issued a letter giving him 7 days to return the whole sum owed or a threat that he will take him to court over the matter which he has accepted and he has given us another promise that it will all be sorted out on Monday.

As for conmankillers comments, we are hoping it will all be resolved (As everyone does) but as you say the car was never signed over but he did hand the log book over. Somebody else now has the car which they paid for and got a log book (Although for all we know he forged the signature ?) so I really don't know about that one. I'm also not sure but I'm guessing that my friend should have signed the form to say that he was not the owner anymore and maybe he will get a fine for not telling the DVLA ? It's an odd one because as you say half of this maybe a court case and half a police issue. Has anyone else dealt with anything odd like this ? I think if he hasn't paid up within the 7 days we may go to the Police as well, as the guy deserves everything he gets !

Somebody else now has the car which they paid for and got a log book (Although for all we know he forged the signature ?) so I really don't know about that one.

If so.... the charges are now fraud as well as theft. !! ..... And the car does not legally belong to the new owner until the present legal owner transfers his legal interest.

Hopefully it will all be sorted out innocently and amicably, otherwise it could turn into a real mess; this one. ?