What to do if you bought a stolen car

Finding out that the car you bought was stolen is a horrible feeling. It usually happens when the police get in touch, or when a stolen car check you run later (for insurance, or to sell the car) turns up a stolen marker. The good news is that you have more options than you might think. Here's what to do, in order.

1. Contact the police

If the police haven't contacted you already, call them on 101 and explain. Have the registration, the VIN and the seller's details to hand. You haven't done anything wrong by buying a car in good faith, and telling them straight away is the right thing to do.

Be prepared for the car to be taken. A stolen car legally still belongs to its original owner, or to their insurer if they've already been paid out. It will be returned to them, even though you paid for it.

2. Stop using and selling the car

Don't drive it more than you need to, and definitely don't try to sell it on. Selling a car you now know is stolen would put you on the wrong side of the law.

3. Gather your paperwork

Everything you have will help you get your money back:

• The advert, with screenshots if it's been taken down.
• Your receipt, and proof of payment such as a bank statement or card statement.
• Messages and call logs with the seller, plus their name and the address where you bought the car.
• The V5C logbook and any service history that came with it.
• Any history check you did before buying.

4. Get your money back

Where you can claim depends on how and who you bought from:

• From a dealer. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, a trader must have the right to sell you the car. If they didn't, you can claim a refund from them. Put it in writing.
• From a private seller. Even private sellers must have the right to sell the car. If you can trace them, you can claim your money back, through the small claims court if needed. Unfortunately, sellers of stolen cars are often hard to find.
• Paid on a credit card? If you paid any of the price on a credit card and the car cost between £100 and £30,000, you may be able to claim from your card provider under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.
• Your own insurance. Some policies include legal expenses cover that can help with a claim. Check your documents.

Citizens Advice can help you work out which route fits your situation.

How to avoid it next time

Almost every stolen car sale could have been avoided with two checks: a vehicle history check that includes stolen markers, and making sure the VIN on the car matches the V5C. Stolen cars are often cloned with the plates of a legal car, so the VIN check matters just as much as the history check. Our used car checklist covers the rest.