Vehicle Finance Default Support & Recovery
UK Bailiff Services Ltd supports finance providers and fleet owners when borrowers fall into default. Our certificated agents conduct professional onsite visits to engage with vehicle users, get finance back on track, arrange voluntary surrender where appropriate, and—where title or court authority permits—carry out involuntary recovery of vehicles. We also assist with escalation to judgment and post-judgment enforcement.
What We Need to Start
- Copy of finance/stock agreement & default notice
- Proof of title or right to recover (e.g., title transfer clause)
- Customer & site contact details
- Vehicle identifiers (VRM, VIN, make/model)
- Any risk flags or prior contact history
Optional: HPI status, GPS/telematics info, storage preferences.
1) Professional Onsite Visits
Our agents make respectful, documented visits to the borrower’s premises or place of work to verify vehicle location, assess condition, and open dialogue. We prioritise resolution without conflict and maintain full audit trails.
2) Getting Finance Back on Track
Where viable, we agree realistic repayment proposals, arrears clearance plans, or forbearance outcomes for lender approval. All terms are recorded in writing and confirmed with the customer.
3) Voluntary Surrender
When the borrower cannot maintain payments, we facilitate voluntary surrender/return, completing condition photos, key handover, signed acknowledgements, and secure storage or transport to your nominated facility.
4) Involuntary Recovery
Where contractual title has passed or where court authority exists, we plan and execute recovery safely and lawfully. We manage keys, vehicle inspection, loading, and controlled removal with chain-of-custody paperwork.
5) Judgments & Enforcement
If the case is disputed or requires court intervention, we coordinate pre-action steps, refer for County Court Judgment (CCJ) where required, and—once judgment is granted—assist with High Court enforcement (over £600), warrants of control, or other remedies.
Legal Basis & Authority
Action depends on clear legal authority. Typical routes include:
- Contractual title transfer on default(e.g., hire purchase/stock finance terms)
- Court order / judgment confirming entitlement to possession
- Consent via voluntary surrender agreement
Where ownership is disputed, we recommend seeking a court order before non-consensual removal.
Checks, Documentation & Audit
Before attendance we verify identifiers and status (e.g., HPI), review risk notes, and prepare case packs. Post-visit we provide attendance notes, images, signatures, and recovery chain-of-custody documents.
We operate to professional standards with risk assessments, lone-worker safety, and GDPR-compliant data handling.
Our Typical Process
- File review & authority check (title/consent/judgment)
- Locate & verify vehicle (VRM/VIN) and site risk assessment
- Onsite visit: engagement, resolution attempt, or surrender
- Documentation: agreements, images, receipts, inventory
- Recovery & transport to nominated storage (if applicable)
- Reporting to client; next steps (arrears plan or legal escalation)
FAQs
Can you recover a vehicle without a court order?
Only where we have clear legal authority—typically contractual title transfer on default—or the customer’s consent via voluntary surrender. If ownership is disputed or access is denied, we recommend a court order before non-consensual recovery.
Do you negotiate payment plans onsite?
Yes. Our first aim is to resolve the default by agreeing sustainable repayment or cure plans for lender approval, documented in writing.
What evidence do you provide after a visit or recovery?
Time-stamped attendance notes, photographs, condition overview, signatures, surrender forms, inventory, and transport/storage confirmations.
Can you help obtain judgment?
We assist with pre-action steps and refer to solicitors for issuing a County Court claim. Once judgment is granted, we can support High Court enforcement (over £600) or alternative remedies.
Do you check HPI?
We can incorporate client-supplied HPI data and, where instructed, arrange checks so records align with your security position before attendance.
UK Bailiff Services — Charging Sheet
Effective: 10 September 2025 • All prices exclusive of VAT • For client-funded instructions (CRAR/NDR/statutory-fee matters may be debtor-funded; client extras apply as agreed).
```How to Instruct
Use our secure form: ukbailiffs.co.uk/instruct-us or email help@ukbailiffs.co.uk. For tenders or block bookings, please include postcodes, preferred dates, and any site risks.
Inclusions (standard): dispatch/admin, route planning, GPS/photo report, first 10 minutes on site.
Travel, waiting, and third-party costs are billed separately unless bundled.
Weekly Block Pricing (Local, Route-Dense)
Designed for batches of local visits where an agent can complete up to 15 sites/day. Includes 80 miles per agent-day, photo/GPS evidence, and summary report. Additional travel and time on site billed per the policy below.
| Weekly Instructions | Per-Site Fee | Typical Agent-Days* | Agents to Finish in 5 Days | Included Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–25 | £95 | 1–2 | 1 | 80/agent-day |
| 25–100 | £80 | 2–7 | 1–2 | 80/agent-day |
| 100–250 | £70 | 7–17 | 2–4 | 80/agent-day |
| 250–500 | £60 | 17–34 | 4–7 | 80/agent-day |
*Agent-days = ⌈instructions ÷ 15⌉. To deliver within 5 working days: simultaneous agents = ⌈agent-days ÷ 5⌉.
Minimum for block weeks: £800 per dispatched agent-day (ex mileage).
Ad‑Hoc / Per‑Instruction (Local)
Includes dispatch, report, first 10 minutes on site, and first 10 miles per instruction.
- 1–2 instructions/day: £550 each
- 3–4 instructions/day: £300 each
- 5–6 instructions/day: £200 each
Minimum for ad‑hoc days: £1,000 per dispatched agent-day (ex mileage).
Day Packages (for lower-density or regional routes)
- Local Day(≤25‑mile radius, up to 6 instructions, incl. 60 miles): £1,200
- Regional Day(26–75 miles, up to 4 instructions, incl. 120 miles): £1,100
- Remote Day(>75 miles, up to 3 instructions, incl. 220 miles): £1,000
Extra miles above bundle at £0.60/mi; hotel at cost; subsistence £75/night (if required).
Travel, Time & Premiums
- Mileage: £0.60/mile portal‑to‑portal (Google Maps route retained). For blocks, first 80 miles per agent‑day included; for ad‑hoc, first 10 miles per instruction included.
- Waiting/Complex Sites: £60/hour after first 10 minutes (per site), billed per 15‑minute increments.
- Out‑of‑Hours:+20% (18:00–08:00) • Same‑Day/Urgent:+30% • Weekend/Bank Holiday:+50%.
- Tolls/Parking/Locksmiths/Security: at cost (+10% admin optional where client prefers).
- Second Agent (if required): 60% of day package or per‑instruction rate.
Bookings, Service Levels & Cancellations
- Lead times: Volume pricing (3–6 jobs/day) applies where instructions are received by 16:00 the day before for route planning.
- Attendance Window: Standard 5 working days for weekly blocks; ad‑hoc within agreed window.
- Cancellation within 24 hours of the dispatch window: 50% of booked value (min £200) + unrecoverable costs.
- Reporting: GPS/time‑stamped photos and summary per site; enhanced pack available on request.
- Payment Terms: 14 days from invoice unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Important Notes
- Pricing assumes local, route‑dense scheduling. Where density drops below ~15 sites/day, we may recommend day packages.
- All attendances subject to dynamic risk assessment. Where safety or access requires additional resource, we will confirm costs before proceeding where practicable.
- For CRAR/NDR under statutory fee regimes: our internal productivity target is to maximise statutory recoveries; client‑funded extras apply only where agreed or permitted.
- Registered office: UK Bailiff Services Ltd, 223 Bacup Road, Rawtenstall, Rossendale BB4 7PA.
