What Happens To Unclaimed Seized Cars?

[Nollywood]

Was watching "Nothing To Declare" yesterday, and two girls brought in 2 cases stuffed with cigarettes. They were of Eastern European origin, I believe. The cigarettes were spotted by Customs, but they chose to see if the girls would decalre them. They didn't, going through the "Nothing To Declare" aisle.

Of course, the authorities went in hot pursuit, followed them out to the car park - just in time to see them loading their cases into the trunk of a FL Audi A8 Sport, in Aqua Blue.

The goods were seized, and so was the car! The driver said he was just a hire car, booked to pick the girls up, but his protests fell on deaf ears. At the end of the programme, the car remained unclaimed. The duty on the cigarettes would have to be paid, before the car could be released.

A bit harsh, I think. My question is - what happens to such cars? Do they get destroyed, or auctioned to cover the owed duty on the cigarettes (which had been incinerated)?

[Adrian E]

probably depends on what else they found about the car - if it was also uninsured/untaxed/unregistered then it would most likely be crushed. If it was simply unclaimed I would expect it to be auctioned, but they wouldn't advertise the circumstances - it'd just go in as a general lot at a local auction. If it's been on TV already it's more than likely long gone.

[Nollywood]

Originally Posted by Adrian E

probably depends on what else they found about the car - if it was also uninsured/untaxed/unregistered then it would most likely be crushed. If it was simply unclaimed I would expect it to be auctioned, but they wouldn't advertise the circumstances - it'd just go in as a general lot at a local auction. If it's been on TV already it's more than likely long gone.

Hmmm, interesting. The vehicle was registered, and taxed, and from what was said, the only link was the driver was booked to pick up the arrivals.

It makes little sense - so if a Hackney Carriage was booked to pick up passengers from the airport, and they had undeclared goods in their luggage, they'd lose their car?! Crazy. A driver can hardly tell his fares to open their cases, so he can do a search.

The same would apply to any of us here. Imagine picking up a friend from the airport, and losing our cars, because there was something undeclared in the luggage, which was placed in the trunk! A very sobering thought.

[A8 Doc]

They have to have the shell crushed but can be sold for parts. Same as siezed cars with expired tax discs.

[tonupkid]

Originally Posted by A8 Doc

They have to have the shell crushed but can be sold for parts. Same as siezed cars with expired tax discs.

They sell them.

Until very recently J T Leavesley of Alrewas had the contract to purchase the siezed cars from HMCE.
They are just down the road from me and a visit to their sales yard always revealed quite a few people carriers, vans and normal stuff, plus a smattering of proper interesting cars.
The one I still would have liked a punt at was a 2 year old Merc S600, with everything. Plus it was black, with black windows and huge rims. Can't imagine what it had been used for

This Merc, like most all the other siezed cars had had large portions of the interior trim removed, then chucked back in.

[sloss]

Originally Posted by tonupkid

This Merc, like most all the other siezed cars had had large portions of the interior trim removed, then chucked back in.

Goodness me! Who would be likely to do that....