An honest mechanic (car lying unclaimed with him for over 5 yrs)

karlosdeville · 19th August 2009, 18:07

I think he can forget about recovering costs through the proper channel. He would be better off reporting to the cops and asking them to impound the vehicle. Parking space is valuable today!

My mechanic has a Standard Herald that had come to him for minor work sometime in the 70s or 80s. It belonged to a Dutch lady who was teaching Sanskrit at Pune university. Rumour has it she went to jail in a drug peddling bust. Remains of the car still lie in his plot, hoping someday the owner will come back to collect the car. Now that is an honest and upright mechanic!

An honest mechanic (car lying unclaimed with him for over 5 yrs)-01.jpg

An honest mechanic (car lying unclaimed with him for over 5 yrs)-02.jpg

Today the heap is barely recognisable as a car, these pictures are a few years old.

akj53 · 19th August 2009, 19:18

At least there are few honest people left in this country.

ramie2400 · 19th August 2009, 23:08

FEW???? there are alot honest people in our country brother

sgiitk · 20th August 2009, 10:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

If no one has come to claim the car in 5 years, chances are it won't ever happen. Ask your mechanic to go to the nearest cop station and ask them to tow the car away. That way, his liability is limited (in case the car was stolen, or used for any criminal activity).

Being familiar with the Manipal dynamics, and CrackeHead's response to another post I am pretty sure this fear is unfounded. Combining with what I surmise from his post (he was at Manipal for four years) and my own knowledge (my son is there since 1997) what must have happened is that this spoilt brat pranged the car, did poorly in academics, and was called back by the parents. They forgot the car OR maybe claimed that the car has been stolen in Delhi and managed to claim from the insurance. If the latter then it becomes a bit tricky.

CrackedHead · 20th August 2009, 10:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgiitk

Being familiar with the Manipal dynamics, and CrackeHead's response to another post I am pretty sure this fear is unfounded. Combining with what I surmise from his post (he was at Manipal for four years) and my own knowledge (my son is there since 1997) what must have happened is that this spoilt brat pranged the car, did poorly in academics, and was called back by the parents. They forgot the car OR maybe claimed that the car has been stolen in Delhi and managed to claim from the insurance. If the latter then it becomes a bit tricky.

That about sums it up perfectly. Perhaps the best thing would be to destroy the car (sell it for scrap).

GTO · 20th August 2009, 11:20

Guys, with legal matters, you'd rather be safe than sorry. I'd file a report with the cops and have them tow the car away.

Quote:

Perhaps the best thing would be to destroy the car (sell it for scrap).

Not his property, even though it has been abandoned. Could lead to legal issues.

kb100 · 21st August 2009, 11:07

I think exercising the mechanics lien is the best way forward. Send a legal notice to the last known address - and then scrap the car for value towards work done, etc. (attempting to sell it will be complicated for lack of original papers etc). Let his legal notice clearly state that it will be scrapped towards recovery of dues.

5 years is long enough (- A person missing for 7 years can be declared officially dead IIRC

)

rkbharat · 21st August 2009, 11:26

most probably this car might be involved in some fatal accident and the owner being rich decided to dump it there.

19th August 2009, 18:07	#16
karlosdeville Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 11,976 Thanked: 18,277 Times View My Garage	I think he can forget about recovering costs through the proper channel. He would be better off reporting to the cops and asking them to impound the vehicle. Parking space is valuable today! My mechanic has a Standard Herald that had come to him for minor work sometime in the 70s or 80s. It belonged to a Dutch lady who was teaching Sanskrit at Pune university. Rumour has it she went to jail in a drug peddling bust. Remains of the car still lie in his plot, hoping someday the owner will come back to collect the car. Now that is an honest and upright mechanic! Today the heap is barely recognisable as a car, these pictures are a few years old.
	() Thanks

19th August 2009, 19:18	#17
akj53 BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: NOIDA, Manchester & Cardiff Posts: 585 Thanked: 92 Times	At least there are few honest people left in this country.
	() Thanks

19th August 2009, 23:08	#18
ramie2400 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,903 Thanked: 66 Times View My Garage	FEW???? there are alot honest people in our country brother
	() Thanks

21st August 2009, 11:07	#22
kb100 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bangy Boy! Posts: 1,555 Thanked: 21 Times	I think exercising the mechanics lien is the best way forward. Send a legal notice to the last known address - and then scrap the car for value towards work done, etc. (attempting to sell it will be complicated for lack of original papers etc). Let his legal notice clearly state that it will be scrapped towards recovery of dues. 5 years is long enough (- A person missing for 7 years can be declared officially dead IIRC)
	() Thanks

21st August 2009, 11:26	#23
rkbharat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Gurgaon/New Delhi Posts: 1,601 Thanked: 724 Times View My Garage	most probably this car might be involved in some fatal accident and the owner being rich decided to dump it there.
	() Thanks