Vehicle Repossessions for UK Lenders

Vehicle repossession enables lenders to recover a financed vehicle where the agreement and circumstances allow recovery to proceed. Equivo manages the process from instruction through to customer engagement, field activity, vehicle recovery, condition reporting and onward delivery, giving lenders clear oversight and evidence throughout the recovery journey.

A vehicle repossession instruction will typically include relevant account and agreement information, customer details, vehicle information and any known circumstances that may affect recovery, including any known vulnerability information. Equivo reviews the available information before activity begins so that field teams have the context needed to manage the case appropriately and make informed decisions.

Timescales depend on the circumstances of the case, vehicle location and customer engagement. Equivo typically makes a first attendance within 24 hours of instruction, with an average end-to-end recovery journey of approximately 7–9 days. Lenders receive case updates throughout, providing clear visibility of progress and next actions.

Where a customer engages, Equivo manages the next action in line with the lender’s instructions and the circumstances of the account. This may include supporting an appropriate resolution, arranging a voluntary vehicle collection or progressing recovery where required, while maintaining professional customer engagement and clear lender oversight.

Equivo’s field teams are trained to recognise potential vulnerability indicators and capture relevant information for appropriate review and escalation. VulneraTrack™ supports the structured recording and continuity of vulnerability information, helping lenders maintain stronger oversight of customer circumstances and support consistent treatment throughout the vehicle recovery journey.

Equivo’s vehicle repossession model is designed to support applicable FCA requirements and Consumer Duty expectations through structured customer treatment, vulnerability identification, interaction evidence, quality assurance and transparent reporting. This gives lenders clearer oversight of outsourced recovery activity and stronger evidence of customer outcomes and governance.

Lenders should have clear, auditable visibility of activity throughout the vehicle repossession process. Equivo captures structured field outcomes, vehicle information, condition evidence and case updates, supported by body-worn video and digital reporting. This creates a stronger audit trail and supports governance, quality assurance and informed recovery decision-making.

Yes. Equivo supports individual instructions and high-volume vehicle repossession portfolios across the UK, managing around 30,000 consumer cases annually. National field capability, centralised case management and connected technology help lenders maintain consistent standards, scalable capacity and clear portfolio oversight as volumes increase.

Vehicle repossession fees depend on the scope of the service, portfolio requirements and the circumstances of the instruction. Factors can include case volumes, vehicle type, location, tracing requirements, field activity and specialist recovery needs. Equivo agrees a clear commercial structure with lenders before activity begins.

Yes. Electric and hybrid vehicle repossessions require additional consideration around high-voltage systems, battery condition, vehicle configuration and transportation. Equivo can manage EV and hybrid vehicle recovery using trained personnel and recovery methods appropriate to the vehicle, its condition and relevant manufacturer guidance.

Where a vehicle cannot initially be located, Equivo can use further vehicle intelligence, updated case information and additional field activity to inform the next stage of the recovery strategy. ANPR-supported vehicle identification can also assist authorised recovery activity where appropriate, while lenders retain visibility of case progress and next actions.