Receiver took van - any advice???

[rkm123]

I took my Merc van into the local Merc dealership for a service and got a hire van. When I went to get my van I was told the receivers had been called in and they were keeping my van until it was all sorted out???

Does anyone know if this is usual or even legal? Thanks in advance for any advice

 

[Morgy]

Until what was sorted out?

 

[Officebird]

Surely this can't be right? I'd be interested in reading the answer the legals give you. I take it the hire van isn't as good? Have you spoke to the receivers directly?

 

[Lime One]

You need to establish if the business is in administration or liquidation and get the names of the receivers. A quick search on Companies House or a call to the Insolvency service will clear that up. With a receiver they will release any asset proven to not be that of the company however you do need to move fast on this one and if there is any doubt over what you have been told inform the police and your insurer also of the theft of your vehicle.

 

[Morgy]

The penny has dropped for me! Doh!

I hope you get it sorted.

 

[Business News]

I suspect that as a commercial vehicle then the van is probably tied to the defunct business and the receivers have every right to seize property belonging to the company ready to sell on or liquidate the assets

 

[rkm123]

Hi thanks for your replies.

I only took it in for a service but when we went to collect it they wouldnt even let me in to get my stuff out of the back of it! It was in there for servicing, it isnt theirs its mine!

 

[rkm123]

All I have been told is that the dealership has gone bust, the Receivers were very understanding but 'couldn't do anything at the moment'.

 

[KM-Tiger]

What a horrible thing to happen. Presumably you can prove ownership?

As Limeone says it might be wise to protect your position by reporting the theft both to the police and your insurers.

 

[Morgy]

To get the Receivers to get their finger out, rkm123 threaten with loss of earnings, van hire etc or are the receivers above the law?

 

[rkm123]

Im just a bit all at sea about it - it only happened today. The thing is they organised for me to have a van on hire which they paid for as mine was going in for a warranty repair for the third time in 18 months and then I told them to do the service. I've only got two vans and now they have one I dont know how long I can keep this hire one for or anything...

First stop is the Receivers with proof of ownership I think. Apparently the staff were turning up at another Merc garage nearby to find out what was going on as the gates were chained up...

I have told my Insurers who were totally lost for words. My kit is in that van.

 

[KidsBeeHappy]

Blimey. Well, thats the polite version of whats going through my head. I really hope that you can get it all sorted out.

Kind regards
Sandra

 

[PFT]

rkm123, can I ask if you have this vehicle on finance, and if so, at what stage of repayment you are at?

 

[Herdens]

I’m sorry to throw a further spanner into the works, but you mention you are currently in a hire van provided by the garage.

If the garage has provided the vehicle on their insurance, you need to ensure that their motor insurance policy is still in force following recent events and that you are still covered to drive the vehicle.

Alternatively, if the van is hired in from a third party for you on their insurance, you need to ensure that they are still happy for you to have the vehicle and be covered under the insurance, even though it would appear that the garage is not able to cover the hire costs.

The last thing you need is to be done for driving without insurance!

I would check with the receivers if I was you.

Best of luck with everything.

 

[yorkshirejames]

I'm confused - are the receivers appointed to deal with _your_ business, or with the Merc dealership?

This is a good reason for marking any vehicle positively with the name and address of the bona-fide owner.