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I had a 1979 Mini 1000 JI7001 which I had owned for 17 years and kept in recent times in my elderly mothers shed. The registration had been on hold for the last few years. I have a MR3 form which shows I was the 4th owner (all family members). Today I found out it is gone, my family members have sold/disposed of it, and an AA history check shows the registration has recently changed, in the last 2 weeks. I was not told anything about this and I most certainly did not have any part in it. I am the legal and registered owner. How is it possible someone has changed the registered person, is that legal ?, am I still the legal owner and can re-posses it, should I report it stolen? I am so baffled by it all, what should I do ?

HI there,
It is easy and legal to change the name of the registered keeper of the vehicle. This does not actually prove ownership of the vehicle.
If your family were not entitled to sell the vehicle then you may have a legal standing.
Maybe your family believe someone else owned it and you were just the registered keeper. Ownership and registered keeper are two different subjects.
You will need to supply evidence of purchase/ gifting of the car to you, and then seek expert legal advise/ or report to the police.
Here is the definition from NZ Land transport:

When you acquire a vehicle, let us know without delay. Once you have told us, you become the registered person. This is not the same as being the legal owner.

The registered person is simply the person who is entitled to possession of the vehicle. For example, a person who is leasing a vehicle is the registered person of that vehicle but the person they have leased the vehicle from continues to be the legal owner.

As the registered person you're responsible for your vehicle and for meeting the requirements that allow you to drive legally on the road. This includes keeping it in safe condition, and paying the licensing fees and any traffic or parking infringements.

Thanks for your reply, that is very helpful. I think I might know what happened. My mother is elderly and recently stopped driving. She gave her car to the local garage to sell/dispose of and at the same time gave them my classic mini which was in one of her sheds. She has dementia etc and doesn't really know what's going on. Since the rego recently changed I assume they have sold it to someone. Was it legal for the garage owner to accept the mini from my mum and sell it without first checking who the legal owner was ?

I don't think you can look up who the legal owner is, as there is no database to prove ownership, only registered keeper. So the garage would trust your mums word.
Under the sale of goods act, and consumer guarantees act, the seller must have clear title to legally sell a vehicle.
You will need legal representation in order to undo this process and get the car back, if the car was not sold legally you may need to go to a motor vehicle tribunal.

My sons girlfriend changed the owner ship of my car so they could sell it what can I do about this

Hi there,
Vehicle ownership is only able to be proven by money changing hands/purchase contract and invoice.
The online service through the NZTA records the name of who is in charge of the vehicle 'keeper' as such, and this is who the registration reminders, speeding fines etc will go to. It doesn't necessarily give legal right to sell the vehicle, it basically means they are in possession of the vehicle.