It’s probably too good to be true Scrap your vehicle legally

HAVING worked in the trade on the Costa Blanca for over 13 years the staff at Bradley Breakers could tell a horror story or two about people who thought they had scrapped their ‘old banger’ only to find that the car was still registered many months later. There are individuals who have faced large fines after the vehicle they thought they’d seen the back of was still driving around.

Unfortunately as long as your name remains on the document of ownership you are legally responsible for that vehicle. Here in Spain the system of scrapping a vehicle is far more complex than anything you are likely to face back in Ireland or the UK. There is now also the new Environmental Badges that came into force which means your vehicle is categorised based on its energy efficiency.

Bradley Breakers are experts in the field and they can make the whole process as simple and uncomplicated as you might wish. Simply make the call, they will make you a cash offer for your vehicle and if accepted they will collect on a tow truck from your home.

They will leave you with the necessary legal documentation advising that they have taken ownership of your car and then following its scrapping, you will be issued with the official DGT Certificate (Baja). It’s important when selling/scrapping your car that you are provided with all the correct and legal paperwork, this is something you will always receive from Bradley Breakers.

It is very important to make sure you use a reputable company.

FRAUD in the British expat community appears endemic but much of it is hidden by the victims themselves who are reluctant to come forward to report it to the authorities.

This reticence only feeds an industry that lives off the savings and income of people who had hoped to be able to live the dream in Spain.

The dream often becomes a nightmare and for some that nightmare starts almost on arrival in Spain. Sometimes the fraud is so blatant that one is left in a state of bewilderment as to how someone had fallen for it ­ but they did, they do, and they will.

We were alerted to a couple whose dream move from Britain to Spain hit the rocks on arrival. They were in their mid50s, had been working all their lives, working people with a work ethic and were looking for a new challenge. They did their research too ­ this was no spur of the moment decision but one they thought through. They decided to buy a business ­ a going concern which had premises and what they liked was an apartment upstairs where they would be able to live while they made it work.

They went to a lawyer, they checked Facebook groups and took holidays to get acquainted with the area and its population ­ their new customers and checked out a few social groups in the area.

In this they met a man who seemingly was connected and respected in the communityhe told them their idea was a great one ­ in fact they were onto something. He also mentioned that he knew someone who had a similar business with premises and apartment which due to a need for an urgent sale was at a bargain price ­ they had to hurry of courseanother party was drawing up the paperwork.

Out went common sense and in came the biggest mistake of their lives. They rushed through the sale ­ paid in cash at a notary ­ which later turned out to be a front and handed over all their life savings ­ in return for… nothing.

There was no business, no apartment and as quickly as he appeared he was off the scene. And as quickly their lives ruined and upended ­ the British Benevolent Fund were able to provide some emergency accommodation and a flight home. They filed a police report but as they left the country it wasn’t followed up.

The perpetrator is still out there ­ along with many others ­ if it’s too good to be true it really is… too good to be true. olaf.clayton@british benevolentfund.org