As many as 50 buyers of MV Agusta motorcycles may be riding around on bikes they don’t actually own and are therefore uninsured.
The bikes were “sold” by two dealers who have stopped trading since supplying the machines. It is alleged the dealers did not pass on payment to MV Agusta or inform the company of the sale. This means that no certificate of conformity – essential to register the machines – was issued.
The irregularity came to light when one buyer contacted MCN with serious concerns about the Dragster 800 RR he had purchased from Hampshire MV Agusta (a trading name of the now-defunct Hampshire Motorcycles Ltd and nothing to do with either Alf’s Motorcycles of Worthing, to whom web inquiries from Hampshire are now referred, or with Moto Performance Ltd).
The buyer told MCN that although the bike displayed a registration plate, the bike was unregistered and the plate was a fake. It transpired the bike was still legally owned by an Italian finance company. MCN reports another customer had ended up taking the dealer to court to recover a £3000 deposit paid on an F3 800 RC when no bike or paperwork appeared. The MV Agusta forum contains complaints from several disgruntled customers of Hampshire Motorcycles Ltd, which was eventually wound up in June 2016.
Another dealer in the north is reported to have taken five bikes from MV Agusta and is alleged to have sold them with fake number plates without registering the machines. It then ceased trading.
The company in charge of MV registrations in the UK believes as many as 20 bikes may have been sold to road riders who do not in reality own the machines. MVs used in a track day experience may also have been sold on without title.
MV Agusta says it is aware of the “grave situation” in the UK and says it is building a case against those alleged to be involved. UK country manager Dave Wilson confirmed the factory had been in touch with the former owners of Hampshire Motorcycles and the matter was ongoing. MV Italy also said customers affected should pursue the dealers through the courts themselves. “It happened that some now closed independent UK dealers purchased MV Agusta motorbikes directly from us, without paying the invoice to MV Agusta Motor. After this they sold the motorbikes to final customers without supplying the necessary documents for the registration, cashing in on the retail price from the customers and closing the company.
“The company condemns the actions of these and any other dealers who have mis-sold any MV product.”
MV has not confirmed the number of bikes involved or their chassis numbers.
The former owners of Hampshire Motorcycles, registered at 222a London Road, Waterlooville, have declined to comment.
Wilson added: “There’s not a lot I can say. I am not happy with the situation. Nobody is, but to say it never happens in our trade or any other trade is totally wrong. I am more concerned for our MV customers and the supportive dealer network I have left.”
Hampshire Constabulary confirmed it had no knowledge of any investigation.