CS
I wasn't aware that the garage "owned" the vehicle as you say but then it was a very long time ago since I was involved and in those days solicitors were only used in your defense or house purchases. In NI we had more direct ways of sorting out debt!!!!!!
Pace
Just to clarify the monies are not owed to me.
My mate who owns the school in question is holding on to the records and the ex student (and he is a student by the way) is taking him to court over a different matter under the advice from the rogue instructor that I mentioned.
The instructor used to work for him but was let go for various reasons so perhaps you can see that it's not just as a straightforward case that my OP intimated.