Can bailiffs find out if you have a car?


No

If the bailiff is collecting an unpaid traffic contravention debt, or a criminal traffic fine, the warrant of control will show the contravention vehicle registration[1]

Bailiffs cannot search the DVLA register by a person's name to see whether they are listed as a keeper.

Members of the public may make limited searches of the register for free giving information about a vehicle.[2]

Searching the register to get the name and address of a vehicle keeper can be made by police and local authorities.[3]

The DVLA may sell vehicle particulars to anyone who can show reasonable cause for wanting them,[4] including private parking and bailiff companies (enforcement agencies).

It is not possible for bailiff companies to search the register by a person's name to see whether they are a registered keeper.

In 2017, bailiff trade association, the Civil Enforcement Agents Association (CIVEA) asked the DVLA to enable its member bailiff companies to search the register by debtors names to reveal any vehicles registered to them.



[1] Civil Procedure Rule 75.2(2)(c)(ii)
[2] See: DVLA Search
[3] Regulation 27 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002
[4] Regulation 28 of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 2002