Who is responsible for car repairs - registered owner or finance holder?

Hope someone can help! My mother recently agreed to get finance for my sister to buy a car after she was banned for 2 years for a driving offence (she got her licence back now) The car is registered in my sisters name. She was only able to get 3rd party insurance cover and has now had an accident which was her fault. The repairs to her car are costing £2500 and she cannot afford to pay it but she has gone ahead and booked the car in for repairs anyway (honest & trustworthy she is not!!). She is now threatening my mother by telling her that as the finance agreement for the car is in her name, she will be liable for the repair costs. Surely this isn't right? The garage should chase the registered owner of the car for payment?? If anyone is able to help I'd be really grateful as my poor mum is frantic and about to give in to my evil sister!!
Thanks x

Bardic

Actually, if your evil sister books the car in and asks the garage to do the repairs, SHE is responsible for the bill. She has contracted with the garage for the work to be done. It's nothing to do with who is the registered keeper or the owner, it is to do with who requests the work. That's why garages usually request a signature on the paperwork before starting work.

I could, if I felt so inclined, ask the garage to repair my son's car - then the bill is my problem, not his.

If you mum wants "formal" confirmation of this, she could go to the CAB or a solicitor - most will give you the initial interview free.

Scott H

Your sister isn't very smart either. I'd suggest doing what others have said: Mom fixes car, mom sells car, sister learns to use the public transportation system.

Indy500

Your sister has booked the car in and therefore she will be responsible for the bill.

I hope the repairs have not been carried out, but even if they have, your mum STILL has the right to go and get the car...your sister will still be liable for the bill. For all of your information, if the car was purchased on finance, it may still belong to the finance company!

But this evil little madam is going to keep using this as a stick against you unless you nip it in the bud now.

Take the damned car off her, book it into your OWN garage, get it repaired and then sell it. Hopefully, you will recover enough money to pay off the finance. Then I'd have nothing more to do with the blackmailing little biatch.

ja man

It is your sisters car she is responsible for any and all repairs if the insurance doesn't cover it

ANDREW M

as your sister is the registered owner it is up to her to pay the garage for the repairs.

UCANTCME

Your sister is responsible for paying for the repairs.

caretaker

sis wants mom to pay and fix it
Sis knows mom wont want credit ruined
if I was Mom
I would pay to fix it
and SELL THE CAR!!!!!!!!!
let sis walk

just-dave

The registered keeper listed on the V5 log book isn't always the legal owner of the car, sis could claim to the garage that she is only the registered keeper and that they should persue the legal owner, she could say that your mum is the legal owner and your mum could point out that the finance company are the legal owners of the car until the loan is repaid...it's gotta fall back on your sis as none of the legal owners actually gave permission in writing for the car to be repaired and so can refuse to pay...boy! messy innit?

Good one above, get the car back, fix and sell, pay off loan.

the bad seed

the shop will simply file a lien against the car and sell it at auction.. after deducting the cost of repairs if any money is leftover it will go to the lien holder

Kekionga

As the registered owner, and the one to contract for the repairs, the sister is responsible for paying for the repairs.

Should she fail to do so, here is the States the garage can take out a "mechanics lien" on the car. This mean that the title of the car has a lien against it and that would have to be paid before the car could be sold and the title cleared.

Now, if the bank sees there is a lien against the vehicle that they have an outstanding loan for, they might go after the loan holder to make good on a clear title.

Sticky situation. Your mother's first mistake was trying to help an irresponsible child.

Your mother could pay for the repairs and then take the sister to court to recoup, but even if she wins she will probably lose in the long run.

g-day!

Natalie

its your sisters car if the insurance is only 3rd party then they will only pay for the other car to be fixed so you cannot make a claim. so she owns the car it has nothing to do with insurance so your sister will have to pay she booked it in and if she did get it booked in your mothers name thats illeagel and your mum should phone up the dealer (garage repair) and stop all work being carried out on it.

Your mother has nothing to do with the car its not hers all she has is insurance to drive it. (and your sis obv)

houghton weaver

your mother is responsible for paying back the finance for the car if the agreement is in her name ,however your sister is resposible for the repair upkeep tax, MOT etc as she is the registered driver

Annie

No, your sister is responsible for paying for repairs. You mother is responsible for any debt on the vehicle - meaning if she is on the car loan, then if your sister doesn't pay, your mother will have to. It has absolutely nothing to do with car repair costs.

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