How to protect your car or vehicle from bailiffs

Any of the following

Own it in someone else's name, or a company name. The owner can make a third party claim.^[1]

Park it on a neighbour’s driveway, or their numbered parking bay. Bailiffs may only take control of goods on land where the debtor lives or carries on a business,^[3] or a highway.^[4]

Lease, it, or keep it under a hire-purchase agreement, the bailiff cannot take control of goods that belong to a lender.^[5]

Keep a disabled blue badge displayed inside the car. Bailiffs cannot take control of goods displaying a disabled blue badge.^[6]

If the vehicle is a motorhome or a towing caravan, bailiffs cannot take control of goods if they are the somebodys only, or principal residence.^[7]

The vehicle has an auction value under £1,350 and is used by someone in their trade business, employment or education.^[8][9]

Keep it in any locked building or garage. Bailiffs cannot break open any domestic property, including a locked garage en-bloc that is away from the property.^[10]

Change the vehicle’s registration, bailiffs use ANPR cameras to look for vehicles with unpaid traffic contravention debts using number plate recognition cameras.^[11]

Note. When a warrant of control is issued, the car cannot be transferred away from the debtor, because the enforcement power against the debtors goods continues, unless the new owner bought it in good faith.^[12]

^{[1] See Making a claim to controlled goods

[2] Paragraph 11(1)(a) of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007

[3] Paragraph 14(6) of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007

[4] Paragraph 9(b) of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007

[5] Paragraph 10 of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007

[6] Regulation 4(1)(d) of the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014

[7] Regulation 5 of the Taking Control of Goods (Fees) Regulations 2014

[8] Regulation 4(1)(a) of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013

[9]See Making a claim to exempt goods

[0] See Can bailiffs gain access with a locksmith

[11] See Bailiffs and ANPR drive-by clamping and enforcement

[12] Paragraph 5 of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007}