Advice on getting ownership/logbook for abandoned car

jozi

Long story short, a car has been abandoned/forgotten about (5 years ago) by someone on private property, it was going for scrap but the facilities manager, being an enthusiast, wanted to see it saved which is how I ended up with.

The owner of the land it was parked on has had their legal team working on the legalities of removing it, Garda have checked the car and it's not stolen or anything and have said it could be moved.

My question is, is it possible to get a logbook for the car so I can give it the tlc it deserves and give it another lease of life?

ironclaw

I'm pretty sure the land on which it is parked, the owner has to make all reasonable effort to find the rightful owner. I vaguely recall an ad in the paper was also a requirement. Its not a straight forward process for them, and even less so if the car is foreign registered. I remember the time line being something in the 'years' range. But once they had it above board legally, they will receive the log book and you would it turn take the log book as per a normal ownership transfer.

jozi

It's an Irish registered car, been there for 5 years taking up a space which they need. I'm not certain but I believe they approached the Garda to find out the owner who gave them the all clear, but not a name, to go ahead and get it scrapped as it's clearly abandoned if it's there 5 years.

Gumbo

Ring Shannon.
Tell them you have this car but no log book and the original owner cannot be found.
They send you a form that had to be filled in, stamped by Garda and main dealer.
You get an affidavit to confirm the car is in your possession.

Send it all back.
Shannon notify the previous owner giving them 30 days to respond.
If no response then Shannon issue new log book in your name.

Done this 2 years ago.

jozi

kceire wrote: »

Ring Shannon.
Tell them you have this car but no log book and the original owner cannot be found.
They send you a form that had to be filled in, stamped by Garda and main dealer.
You get an affidavit to confirm the car is in your possession.

Send it all back.
Shannon notify the previous owner giving them 30 days to respond.
If no response then Shannon issue new log book in your name.

Done this 2 years ago.

Bit of a late reply to this topic.

When you did this did you also have to get a solicitor involved when signing the forms? I rang Shannon today who are sending out an affidavit, she kind of just blurted it all out to me and it sounds like I need to get it signed and witnessed with a solicitor?

Legally, does the previous owner still have right to the car? I don't want to invest time/money into this car if there's a change in 3 years of the previous owner coming to me and demanding the car back.

mgbgt1978

I'm pretty sure that Shannon notify the current owner (or at least the last registered owner) by post. If they don't hear back from them within a certain timeframe (couple of weeks AFAIK) they will then issue the new VLC. It becomes your Car.

Apart from the cost of the Solicitor witnessing the Form being signed, you should have no problems.....assuming the previous registered owner doesn't act the idiot. In which case I'm sure he'll be expected to pay a hefty Storage Fee before getting his Car back .