How do I find out who owns an abandoned bike?

Every day I pass a bike that looks like it's been dropped and abandoned in a motorcycle parking bay. Its been there for about two months now and even has a parking ticket on it.

How do I go about finding out who owns it so I can make him (or her) an offer for it?

C

What kinda bike is it?

Here will tell you if it is insured.
Here will tell you if it is taxed.

If either or outstanding, your local council will remove it if it is on the public highway.

Failing that, a limited company can get the registered keeper details from the DVLA for a quid or two.

Thanks for the replies so far. What about if you're just a private individual?

Its a BMW 1100 Sport.

C

A friend of mine once found what had obviously been a stolen and then dumped ZX6R in his road. He wheeled it down the road and parked it outside of his house. He put locks on it and then informed the police he believed he had found a stolen motorcycle. He added he had moved the vehicle and made it secure so it would not be stolen again. After several weeks and a few phone call reminders, the police said as it had not been reported stolen they were not interested. My friend asked if he could register the vehicle in his name to which they replied he could. He contacted DVLA and asked for new registration document V5 (now V5C). A couple of weeks or so later he received the documents. He then owned a ZX6R. Simple.

Originally Posted by Berlin

Thanks for the replies so far. What about if you're just a private individual?

Its a BMW 1100 Sport.

C

Befriend a policeman, or sombody with a small ltd company.

If you are trying to find out with intent to buy it, apply for the V5. DVLA will then contact the current registered owner (costs £20 or something but you wouldn't get the address yourself unless you were successful (previous keeper on V5)).

Originally Posted by Stig_Of_The_Dump

A friend of mine once found what had obviously been a stolen and then dumped ZX6R in his road. He wheeled it down the road and parked it outside of his house. He put locks on it and then informed the police he believed he had found a stolen motorcycle. He added he had moved the vehicle and made it secure so it would not be stolen again. After several weeks and a few phone call reminders, the police said as it had not been reported stolen they were not interested. My friend asked if he could register the vehicle in his name to which they replied he could. He contacted DVLA and asked for new registration document V5 (now V5C). A couple of weeks or so later he received the documents. He then owned a ZX6R. Simple.

I like the idea, but doesn't the V5 only make you the registered keeper?

Originally Posted by petevtwin650

I like the idea, but doesn't the V5 only make you the registered keeper?

Good point. Not sure is my answer to that.

[Messie]

Originally Posted by Stig_Of_The_Dump

A friend of mine once found what had obviously been a stolen and then dumped ZX6R in his road. He wheeled it down the road and parked it outside of his house. He put locks on it and then informed the police he believed he had found a stolen motorcycle. He added he had moved the vehicle and made it secure so it would not be stolen again. After several weeks and a few phone call reminders, the police said as it had not been reported stolen they were not interested. My friend asked if he could register the vehicle in his name to which they replied he could. He contacted DVLA and asked for new registration document V5 (now V5C). A couple of weeks or so later he received the documents. He then owned a ZX6R. Simple.

Mmmmm never was sure of the full legality of that though

Originally Posted by Messie

Mmmmm never was sure of the full legality of that though

Well I believed it. The subsequent theft of the bike from the garage some time later I found less convincing.