Buying stolen quad from insurers

[Jimfandango]

I am quite interested in a quad that a mechanic friend of mine bought at an auction. It was stolen and has come through an insurers although I haven't yet seen any paperwork to prove this. I believe that the owner from whom it was stolen took the insurance pay out rather than the returned quad. He is a trustworthy local businessman that we have dealt with many times before. I'm sure he wouldn't fleece us intentionally but there could be human error.
What kind of paperwork do I need to see to make sure that nobody can turn up at my place and take it away? There is no serial number available or anyway of identifying it that I can see.
Are there potential pitfalls regarding future insurance and the lack of a serial number?
Cheers

 

[steveR]

Ask your Insurer, as they will be providing cover on it, for you....?

 

[Lincs Lass]

Are there potential pitfalls regarding future insurance and the lack of a serial number?

Only if it gets nicked again

 

[Jimfandango]

Only if it gets nicked again

My thoughts exactly

 

[Y Fan Wen]

There is no serial number available or anyway of identifying it that I can see.

I engrave my initials and the postcode on the plastic bodywork in a discreet spot using a soldering iron. Then I photograph it.

 

[Agri Spec Solicitor]

Work out who might be able to take the quad back if they still have title to it.
Personally I would obtain signed paperwork right back to the last legitimate owner before the theft to explain the story and why all of them agree the quad is currently owned by the person trying to sell it.
Thus on the assumed facts it is
The immediate seller
The auction
The insurer
The insured who owned it.
The lack of a serial number is troubling. It’s a long time since I did criminal law but I recall even grinding off the serial number on an engine for example still leaves an imprint in the metal below which is good enough for experts to read.
And I would do this myself, and not rely on the immediate seller.

 

[Jimfandango]

Ideal. Thanks. I will look into it