How to retrieve a company car from a terminated employee

[Guest]

Our company is a very small company and we have a company car (leased) that one or our employee has been using. We recently terminated the employee and as a gesture of goodwill to try and alleviate any immediate issues with transport offered for them to retain the car for 6 weeks whilst they made alternative arrangements.

The former employee is very angry about the termination and has refused to return the vehicle after the grace period has ended. Since the termination we have also learned the employee has in fact lost their driving licence and as they were the only party insured to drive the vehicle we would now like to have the car returned sooner rather than later to ensure that it's not being driven without valid insurance etc which I believe is voided once a party doesn't have a valid licence.*

We unfortunately do not have a spare set of keys so 'self help' by going and picking up the car isn't an option.*

Does anyone have any advice as to what steps we can take to recover the vehicle in the most straight forward and lawful manor.

*

[typonaut]

Write to the former employee telling them to return the vehicle and the keys or you will take action to recover the vehicle, and seek to recover any costs from them.

In some cases you may be able to get a replacement key from a main agent or the manufacturer, if you have the V5 and other details, etc. The leasing company may even hold a spare.

Contact the leasing company, tell them what has happened, and see what they suggest.

At worst, if the vehicle is on the street, get a recovery firm to go and pick it up (literally).

Go to the police and tell them that the vehicle is being used without the owner's permission, and that the only person insured to drive it has lost their licence.

[jaguarsuk]

Write to the former employee telling them to return the vehicle and the keys or you will take action to recover the vehicle, and seek to recover any costs from them.

In some cases you may be able to get a replacement key from a main agent or the manufacturer, if you have the V5 and other details, etc. The leasing company may even hold a spare.

Contact the leasing company, tell them what has happened, and see what they suggest.

At worst, if the vehicle is on the street, get a recovery firm to go and pick it up (literally).

Go to the police and tell them that the vehicle is being used without the owner's permission, and that the only person insured to drive it has lost their licence.

Don't tell them to return the vehicle, they have lost their license and can't drive. Tell them to send the keys to you within 7 days and you will come to collect the vehicle.

If you do go to the Police as suggested make sure when you do recover the car that you let them know you have, otherwise the next user of the car is going to get stopped anytime they drive past a police car with ANPR fitted.