It is certainly the case in the UK that a stolen car remains the property of the original owner even when purchased by someone who has no knowledge of the theft

It is certainly the case in the UK that a stolen car remains the property of the original owner even when purchased by someone who has no knowledge of the theft. See: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/2753701/Motorists-unwittingly-buy-stolen-cars.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/2753701/Motorists-u... My understanding was that the due diligence one is expected to conduct under caveat emptor would include ensuring the buyer had the legal title of the goods to be purchased, but this might be a regional variation or I could just be wrong.