Can a car be repossessed abroad?

[the_freedom_trail]

My question is purely hypothetical. If somebody who lived in the UK and had an English registered car on finance took it overseas permanently (France, Spain or Italy), re-registered it in the foreign country and then stopped making the repayments what could the finance company do?

Thank you for any assistance,

TFT

[heliosuk]

I would say anything they want to in order to recover in the EU. Until fully paid they are the legal owners. Re registering under a foreign plate is no different to that of putting a personalised plate on in the UK. It's the 17 digit VIN number that counts and that cannot be changed unless specifically recorded such as a reshell after an accident and that is very cloesly controlled now.

I suppose it's down to exactly how far the finance company wants to pursuit it and the costs involved. I would also point out that by doing this knowingly is crimminal intent.

[missdpd]

I know for a fact that a rather large finance company in the UK have agents that deal with repossessing cars that have been taken abroad in the EU, so yes they can is the answer.

xx