Previous owner parking ticket - I don't know what to do

ScarySquirrel

ScarySquirrel

ScarySquirrel

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Hi all,

I bought my car on 30th May this year, when I bought it the guy mentioned he had a parking ticket that morning and that he would sort it.

This morning I received a letter from UK Parking Control (www.ukparkingcontrol.com) saying that it was unpaid and total now due is £90. I text the previous owner and he told me to let them know that I wasn't the owner at the time and he said "do not pay it!" - which makes me think he has no intention of paying it himself.

The trouble is, he got the ticket on the morning before I bought/picked it up. So on the registration documents it says I owned it from 30th May (reality is I picked it up around 3pm) but the ticket is also on 30th May at 12.03.

I tried to ring them but there is no answer, I'll email them instead but I'm a bit worried that this will go against me because technically I owned the car from 30th May.

I have no idea what to do. Any ideas?
 
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Reply saying you weren't the owner at the time, give them the name and address of the person who was.
 
Write back and tell them you didn't own the vehicle at that point. Simples.
The burden of proof is on them i believe.
 
Just get in touch, explain situation it's for THEM to prove it was you not the other way around as far as I see. I'd just call them and email them, state the problem and STATE YOU'RE NOT GOING TO PAY. However, here is the previous owners address and contact, goodbye.
 
The guy gave me a handwritten receipt, which I'll ask my wife if she knows where it is when she is home later. But anyone could have written that, I could write one now if I wanted.
 
Honestly dont overthink it - its down to them to prove you accepted a contract (which is dubious at best, even if it was you driving). You dont have to prove anything
 
I would not call them, or offer any information other than to say you were not the owner of the vehicle at the time of the alleged offence. I'd do this by email or letter.
 
I've found the receipt, which includes the time. I'll scan it and write a letter to the company next week - seems like they're a bit dodgy but at least I'll have a record of contesting it.
 
Rather than wasting your time with this now.

Just leave it to be honest.

You know you aren't liable for the their claim.

For now just check whether the claim is on residential parking or retail parking.
 
I finally found an appeals site so I've submitted a proper appeal stating that I wasn't the owner of the car, with a copy of the written receipt from the previous owner (as above, I'm not sending a copy of the ticket back!) which states I picked up the car at 4:21pm (4 hours after the ticket was issued). I've also given them the details of the previous owner.

Fingers crossed, I know people say to ignore it but I'm going into a new job (hopefully) soon and if there's even the slightest chance of this causing problems for me then it's really not worth the risk.
 
There's absolutely no chance of this causing any issues with a new job. Informing them that it wasnt your car at the time is all you needed to do and you can safely ignore any further communication if you get it.
 
As above, just write to them and tell them you bought it at x time that day. I'd probably include a copy of the car receipt too. If they keep chasing you after that then just keep telling them to go away and eventually just ignore them if they don't take any notice. Keep copies of all correspondence to them.

It's for this very reason I always insist on a time on the receipt when I buy a car.

You don't owe them any money.
 
I had something similar with my current car.

Bought it at ~3pm having met the guy and had a quick drive at 2.30pm. Paid by bank transfer.

Couple of weeks later had a letter from Police Scotland saying it had been clocked doing 57 in a 30 zone at ~1.15pm that same day. This would probably have been 6 pts + a fine / maybe a summons so theres no way I was taking it!

I sent in a letter stating the above and showing texts between me and the seller, along with bank transfer (which had the time on), and his address, then phoned them a few days later to ensure receipt and to confirm it was acceptable evidence (which they said it was).

Not heard anything since.
 
iaind said:
There's absolutely no chance of this causing any issues with a new job. Informing them that it wasnt your car at the time is all you needed to do and you can safely ignore any further communication if you get it.
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It was only because I saw them on their website saying that CCJs have been issued to previous people that haven't paid, if I had a CCJ that would definitely be an issue for the job I'm going for. I know it's probably just scare tactics though.

FuriousGeorge said:
I had something similar with my current car.

Bought it at ~3pm having met the guy and had a quick drive at 2.30pm. Paid by bank transfer.

Couple of weeks later had a letter from Police Scotland saying it had been clocked doing 57 in a 30 zone at ~1.15pm that same day. This would probably have been 6 pts + a fine / maybe a summons so theres no way I was taking it!

I sent in a letter stating the above and showing texts between me and the seller, along with bank transfer (which had the time on), and his address, then phoned them a few days later to ensure receipt and to confirm it was acceptable evidence (which they said it was).

Not heard anything since.
Click to expand...

Ah, the bank transfer (and the texts), that's a great shout. I'll definitely resort to that if I have any further problems.

Thanks
 
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