You own your vehicle outright
The official receiver will only let you keep your vehicle if it’s essential and of low value.
A vehicle may be classed as essential if:
- You couldn’t do your job without it
- You or someone in your household needs it because of a disability
- There’s no possible way you could get to work or school without your vehicle
If there’s any way you could use a taxi or public transport instead for any of these journeys, the official receiver won’t usually class your vehicle as essential, even if using public transport would be inconvenient. The official receiver will look in detail at public transport routes and costs in your area when making their decision.
If the official receiver agrees that a vehicle is essential for your household, they'll take into account the value of your current vehicle. They may order you to sell your vehicle, buy a cheaper alternative, and pay the difference to the official receiver.
If you live in England and Wales, this would usually only happen if your vehicle is worth more than £2,000, and the official receiver would normally allow you £1,250 to buy a replacement. If you live in Northern Ireland, different limits may apply.
You may still be able to keep your vehicle if you can arrange for a partner, friend or family member to pay the official receiver the money they would have raised from a sale.