Bailiffs Towed Your Car Away, How To Recover It

Contact the police on 999 to report your vehicle as stolen. If the police tell you a bailiff has taken control of it then ask for the name of the council or authority they act under. For residents of Greater London, contact TRACE at 0845 206 8602, available 24 hours a day.

Inform the DVLA that your car has been "taken without permission." to protect yourself from traffic contraventions after the bailiff removed your vehicle.

Afterwards, pinpoint any enforcement breaches using this enforcement compliance checklist. You should contemplate seeking court intervention under Civil Procedure Rule 84.13 to apply to the court an order for the bailiff to return your vehicle and for the authority to compensate you for damages and legal costs.

Your options

If the debt is owed by a previous keeper, make a third-party claim.

For vehicles under hire purchase, apply for an order for its release.

If the bailiff failed to give a Notice of Enforcement, consider a Pay & Reclaim or making a chargeback

If your vehicle is exempt, make a claim to exempt goods.

If you've recently moved and the address on the Control Warrant is incorrect (defective instrument), apply for an order for the bailiff to return the vehicle under Civil Procedure Rule 84.13.

If the debt exceeds the vehicle's value, leave it with the bailiff and inform DVLA by returning the V5 as scrapped.

If the debt is valid, payment is required for the return of your vehicle, attend the vehicle pound then make a claim for damage to the vehicle and for any items taken.

If the bailiff is charging storage fees for your vehicle, apply for a detailed assessment hearing.