The mechanic noticed the engine chassis number differed from the one on the dashboard. The car had been MOT'd twice with the same company and this had never been picked up. On further investigation, I discovered the car matching my engine chassis number had been stolen in October 2006 and later recovered. When I found this out I went straight to the dealer. The manager just shrugged and said they could replace the number without investigating why this chassis number belongs to another vehicle. His solution was to trade my car in and give me the book price for it and that I MUST buy another car from their showroom. I still have two years to pay to this car which means the trade-in price would leave me with nothing. I would have given up £10,000 and won't have a car or a penny left. VOSA advised the car has not to be MOT'd until a full investigation. The car is now lying in the dealers.
A My principal reaction is that the dealers have sold you a car they didn't own – you can't get title to stolen goods of any sort even if you had no way of knowing they were stolen. In this case the penny should have dropped with them when they either took the car in and inspected it pre-sale, or at the first MOT. It may be that the manager doesn't know the law and needs to be told. As far as I can see you are entitled to your money back from the start.
QThe deeds for my mum's house are in her sole name. She has remarried and taken her new husband's surname. Does anything need to be done to change her name on her own title deeds either now or in the future? And does her husband have a right to the house if she dies.
A No action needs to be taken about the name. If she sells the house in the future, the new deed to the purchase would be in her name as Mrs XY, formerly Z. That's perfectly normal. As for the husband, has she made a will? If not, then the husband has first call on the house as surviving spouse. She can make a will and decide whether to leave the house to him or to you as children, perhaps giving him a right to live in it for the rest of his life.
Q My son is 20 and attends university. His father paid through the CSA until August last year but told me the course my son is on means he no longer has to pay maintenance. I thought he had to pay until education is finished even if that is over 18.
A The law says a parent must aliment (support) a child under the age of 25 years who is reasonably and appropriately undergoing instruction at an educational establishment, or training for employment or for a trade, profession or vocation. The CSA has different rules and 19 is the upper limit for its involvement. Your son now has a continuing right to claim aliment directly from his father until he finishes college or reaches 25, whichever comes first. He can, if necessary, take his father to court.
