I am currently paying off a car loan, can a bailiff take the car away?


Yes

A car loan secured on the car means the lender owns the car until the final payment has been made.

If the payments are not made, the borrower is in breach of contract with the lender and they may recover the car.[1][2]

If bailiffs take control of a car that has a secured loan on it, then the bailiff is in breach of regulations that state they may only take control of goods that belong to the debtor,[3] and the driver may sue for damages and recover the car.[4]



[1] Helby v. Matthews [1895] AC 471
[2] Mulwanyi v Newlyn Plc
[3] Paragraph 10 of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007
[4] See Bailiff clamped or towed your hire purchase car