Bike impound help.

[Shellywoozle]

Originally Posted by Red Herring

Somethings not right here, either the police are really hanging themselves out to dry (unlikely) or your mate isn't leveling with you. The police are required to release the bike to anyone authorized in writing by the owner, providing that person has a driving licence and valid insurance that covers them to ride that bike. It does not need to be insured by the owner. How do you think someone who has their vehicle seized after being caught driving on a ban gets their vehicle back? They can't get insurance until the ban is over can they? Most forces have a policy not to allow the vehicle to be taken away on a low loader/van, but not sure about the Mets. Like I said, there's some vital info missing here.....

+1 I think you are not being told the full story. If this is the case your friend needs to take legal representation to the Police Station TOMORROW and get this sorted.

By know the recovery fees will be worth more than the bike . There should be some instruction on the back of the recovery form he had at the time of the bike being seized.

The rest can be sorted with correspondance from your insurance company, but as you know insurance companies are not the speediest of companies, maybe a phone call to the insurance ombudsman would be advantageous on this one.

Hope he gets it sorted soon.

Originally Posted by Red Herring

Most forces have a policy not to allow the vehicle to be taken away on a low loader/van,

Very true of West Yorkshire, if your vehicle is siezed for not been insured or having the correct licence then while you own the vehicle you have 14 days to claim it presenting licence and Insurance for that vehicle or its crushed/sold/drivin home by a pc. van or trailer collection is a big no-no at least here, for obvious reasons. It got impounded cos you were using it illegally, the police are not gonna take your word for it saying you promise not to ride it until its all sorted.

Originally Posted by Davie

if the bike is on hire purchase i dont think they can sell it as it belongs to the finance company till its paid
ie if he stops the payments they can just take it from the new owner

Also true, a friend lost his driving licence so signed over his car to me for free, I insured myself and sold my own car. The sale was totally legit, but he stopped his payments and about 3months later the finance company came knocking (well balifs did) and took the keys there and then. They even came in an explained how it wasnt my car, it was theirs.
For this reason, if he doesnt claim the bike it'll get crushed police wont sell it on with outstandin finance. IMHO he's a muppet if he keeps paying for it, if its gone its gone.

[Red Herring]

My understanding is the police do an HPI check, if it's shown on HPI and the "owner" hasn't collected it they speak with the HPI company who usually end up settling the bill and taking the bike.