Taking ownership of an abandoned bike

[Robby]

I park in an NCP car park for work, and there has a been a seemingly abandoned bike there for months. Does anyone know if there is a way to claim it and take ownership?

If there is a process, I can think of a couple of flies in the ointment. It's in an NCP car park, so private land belonging to someone else, and it's on German plates.

It's been sat there for a long time now without moving or the dust being disturbed. Over 6 months, possibly a year.

[AmirasDaddy]

Even if its been abandoned or not it still doesnt belong to you, so it could be theft if you remove it.

[waffles]

I know that you can contact the DVLA but as its on German plates I doubt they would be able to help you out. Have you tried leaving a note on the bike or contacting NCP to see if they have any owner details?
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Theory test - 19/8/09, CBT - 11/10/09, MOD 1 - 16/8/10, MOD 2 - 27/10/10
Past rides Yamaha XT125X, Triumph TT600, Honda XR250
Current rides Suzuki GSXR 600, Honda MSX125

[P.addy]

There is an M reg CBR600F sitting in the local sainsburys car park with the entire seat covered in parking fines

It has literally been there a month or two just chilling getting tickets..

Girlfriend said nick it and leave an IOU

[doggone]

You really can't just clain it.
Chances are it's already been reported to police in case the owner dropped dead or something?

[colin1]

Is the NCP free for bikes or something ? If not then they may want to claim it to pay unpaid parking fees.

It may be that the owner will never will return for it, or it could be he's working abroad for a few months.

I don't know the law, but I doubt you would be able to claim it and get it registered in your name, particularly as it isnt registered with the dvla but the german equivalent.
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[multijoy]

[Chalky.]

I think it's a bit of a dick's game taking someone else's vehicle, regardless of if you do it "properly".

[MarJay]

[Rogerborg]

Practically impossible to do it legally. German plates are regional - when you move, you have to get new plates. So it's vanishingly unlikely that you'll be able to trace the owner - if they're in Germany, what's the bike doing here? If they're not in Germany, it shouldn't be on German plates. You can ask NCP, and the local neighbourhood policing team to help: good luck with that.

Of course, you could just bag it, and put it in for an MSVA test as an imported bike. Say you bought it from Herman Ze Cherman without any documents.

Naughty, but sooner or later it'll end being blagged by pikeys then burned out or parted, won't it?

Yes, yes, Herman could turn up and be amazed - amazed - that it's not safe to leave his bike in a British public car park for 6 months. In Chermany, such things are done all ze time. But really, is it going to happen?

By the way, while you were reading this and agonising over the morality, a gyppo has probably hotwired it.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[multijoy]

[trippz]

Try tracking the owner by the license plate and offer him a small amount of money? just a thought...

but i agree with others. he could be seriously ill in hospital and when he finally goes out to get his prized bike and it isnt their he would be gutted
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Don't take what I say seriously, I'm a F&*cking idiot

[Robby]

There all manner or moral and ethical aruments, but those who know me will know I pick and choose such things. What I'm after is the correct process, if such a thing exists. DVLA and Directgov websites were useless. Might just pick some brains over at DfT.

[Rogerborg]

Could you please let us know the outcome. I'll be amazed if you find anyone willing to help you do it legally before the vultures have it.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[G]

It's been discussed on here a few times before, so worth a search.

[banditjohn]

When I registered a vehicle into the UK the first thing they want is the reg document/bill of sale as proof of ownership,I'm thinking it could be cheaper and less hassle to just go buy one.

[Mrjoolz]

That CBR has gone now Paddy, I was thinking of doing the same, and breaking it.

[Kris]

My old boss had an original Porsche 911 kept in an underground car park in Central London. It hadn't moved for 10 years.

Anyone walking past must have assumed it had been dumped, there were stalactites forming on the bumpers after a leaky pipe dripped on it for the whole duration.

He would have been devastated if it was taken though. I guess some people just have stuff and don't use it.


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NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
www.prisonplanet.com

[MarJay]

The way I see it is that you may not be able to determine who it does belong to, but you know it doesn't belong to you.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Rogerborg]

Take the bike's feelings into account. It's been abandoned by Herman, and is in imminent danger of being Pikied to death. It's crying out for a loving owner to feed and take care of it.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike