Can The Bank Seize Car Which I'm Registered Keeper But Not Legal Owner?

Hi,

I was wondering if you can help me with the below query.

I am driving a car that belongs to my mother. She is the one who bought the car and has the invoice in her name. But I am the main driver and for insurance purposes I had to be the registered keeper.
Currently I have a problem with a bank. I was wondering if the bank can put a charge on the car just because I appear to be the registered keeper on the logbook. I would really appreciate if you can provide me with the relevant information. Alternatively, would you be able to advise any legal aid solicitor?

Many thanks,
Josephine

Question by Josephine on 26th Jun 2009 at 08:46

Josephine,

As discussed in the article on registered keeper v/s legal owner, only the legal owner is entitled to any rights on the car. So if your mother is the legal owner and you are having financial problems with the bank, then the bank in question cannot legally seize and dispose of the car because you do not have any rights on the car itself.

As an example, there are many people who drive company cars (as travelling may be a major part of the role) and are therefore listed as the registered keeper in the logbook. However they cannot sell the company car because they have no rights on it. And if they were to find themselves in financial hardship, then debts collectors would not be able to sell the company car to get their money back because the car does not belong to the driver in the first place.

Unless the bank has towed your car away, you shouldn't worry about getting a solicitor.

Answer by Gices on 26th Jun 2009 at 09:13