How to track down a car I used to own.

[PaulM25]

Hi, everyone.
I’m trying to track down my father’s old w126 Mercedes Benz 380sec which he sold around 2006. I have the vehicle vin and I want to know how, if at all possible, I could use it to track down the current owner or to see if the car is still registered. I was also able to find what could potentially be its current registration number using firstcheck.co.za.
The end goal is to buy it back as it was a beloved car for the entire family.
Thanks!

 

[The_Traveller]

Pretty sure "something valuable" is stashed under the seats or in the roof lining.

 

[Muffin]

Or maybe someone advertising the web site?

 

[WollieVerstege]

Pretty sure that any information that someone might have of the current owner would be subject to POPIA and not for public consumption.
Best to advertise the details in various online classifieds and hope someone picks it up.

 

[Tman*]

Never meet your hero.

Chances are good it's passed several ownerships by now, probably living in a squatter camp and dented up and rusted.

 

[PaulM25]

Pretty sure that any information that someone might have of the current owner would be subject to POPIA and not for public consumption.
Best to advertise the details in various online classifieds and hope someone picks it up.

Ah, Indeed! I do not know how I overlooked that the owner’s information would be subject to privacy protection, it should have been obvious from the beginning.
Is there a way I could at least check to see if the car is still registered to be on the road or if it was deregistered at some point?

 

[PaulM25]

Never meet your hero.

Chances are good it's passed several ownerships by now, probably living in a squatter camp and dented up and rusted.

You raise a good point. But being a classic Merc enthusiast, this would be a good first one to own as I’m already familiar with it. Would you suggest I instead find and buy a similar model that’s in reliable condition?

 

[Tman*]

You raise a good point. But being a classic Merc enthusiast, this would be a good first one to own as I’m already familiar with it. Would you suggest I instead find and buy a similar model that’s in reliable condition?

I dont really know much about older mercs, im basing my assumption on what has happened to a large part of E36, E30 and even newer E46 BMWs.

If I was in the market id rather buy a model in good nic.

 

[deweyzeph]

Only organisations (such as SAPS, traffic departments, etc) with access to the Enatis system can track down the vehicle using the VIN number. The problem is that you can't just request that information as an ordinary member of the public.

 

[Aghori]

Only organisations (such as SAPS, traffic departments, etc) with access to the Enatis system can track down the vehicle using the VIN number. The problem is that you can't just request that information as an ordinary member of the public.

Hogwash. Go to the station, ask to speak to the commanding officer and take along a bottle of whiskey.