DOVER, N.H. – Customers who had their cars repossessed after buying them from a Rochester dealership want to be reimbursed for the money they spent recovering their vehicles.

Charlotte’s Cars Inc., which also did business as Diamond Motors, is accused of selling at least 18 cars on consignment without paying the original owners.

Some of the consigners repossessed their vehicles from the new buyers, who in turn took legal action against the dealership.

By going to court or through other means, the buyers managed to retrieve their vehicles, but some are trying to get reimbursed for lawyers’ bills and rental fees they paid while they were without their cars.

Next week, some of them will be in Strafford County Superior Court asking for a piece of the $25,000 bond the state requires each car dealer to post to cover creditors in case they go out of business.

Among them is Larry Matsumoto of Milton, who bought a minivan from Charlotte’s Cars in December. About two months later, he went outside and discovered it was gone. After reporting it stolen, he learned it had been repossessed.

Matsumoto, who runs a dog grooming and training business, is seeking $5,766 and other damages for legal fees and loss of business for not having his vehicle.

Another man, Peter Masse of Farmington, requested $5,402 for the time he was without his minivan, legal fees and other expenses. Cheryl Jacques of Somersworth did not specify an amount in her claim.

Both Matsumoto and Masse originally filed claims for more than $25,000 when their vehicles were repossessed, but lowered the amounts after a court ordered Richard Belise, a car dealer in Winslow, Maine, to return the vans.

Belise has accused Charlotte’s Cars of failing to pay him for four vehicles. Meanwhile, the state continues to investigate the dealership’s owner, Charlotte Sorahan, and her husband, James Sorahan, the general manager.