The car in question in this doesn't and didn't belong to me.
A friend of mine works long hours in the finance industry in the West End and lives in Essex. He owned a fairly tired 89 Sapphire 2000E that he arranged to sell for £100.
Unfortunately, he couldn't be there when the buyer came to view the car and so left it to his flatmate. His flatmate unfortunately let the car go without processing the V5 and as far as I can tell there's no way of tracing the new owner.
As such, while there is a chance that the new buyer will deal with the paperwork correctly, there is a stronger chance that my friend will be left exposed to every speed camera and red light east of Reading, as well as a possible fine from the DVLA for not updating the change of keeper.
(I will run an RAC plate check against the car, to see if the 'last owner changed' has been updated, but I don't yet know the plate and that takes a while to update).
My question is - what is the best way to deal with the DVLA, to make it less likely that they will pursue the matter, and/or persuade the keeper to update the papers or break the car.
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Moron me did the same a few yuears back with a Senator. After months of expensive advertising and a very cheap price it was still sitting on my drive. So I called one of those dealers "cash paid for any car" and took his cash - not as much as I'd wanted though.
Once he'd disappeared, saying he'd do all the paperwork, I suddenly realised I'd have been better to have had the bit off the bottom of the form and done my side of it. True to form, I did little about it, except write to DVLC and tell them what had happened. I couldn't even remember which one I'd sold it to out of the paper...was just pleased to Get Rid.
Few months later I got a couple of speed camera tickets in quick succession for the car. Wrote back to DVLC reminding them I no longer had the car - obviously matey had never done the paperwork.
Last I heard, was a call from a recovery company - they'd been aerted by Plod-u-Like that the car had been abandoned in Kent somewhere, presumed not running. They'd have brought it back to me for the cost of the tow, but quite honestly I really didn't need it. So I told them to scrap it!
Anyway, I think a letter to DVLC explaining would be the most sensible thing at this stage...
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As there is an obligation on both parties to notify DVLA on change of ownership, as Smokie says, write to DVLA explaining what happened.
A copy of the letter should be kept and also a cerificate of posting.....
DVD
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Joke by the way - fill out the Seller's part of the V5 in the Flatmate's name and address let him field the fines !
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PU's advice comes on this occasion totally f.o.c.
Happy Motoring PhilI
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As there is an obligation on both parties to notify DVLA on change of ownership, as Smokie says, write to DVLA explaining what happened. A copy of the letter should be kept and also a cerificate of posting.....
Go one better. First of all phone them now and explain the situation.
I got a No Tax or SORN, so here is a fine letter.
I called them and found them most helpful
I had scrapped a car and they did not get my paperwork. When I called them they logged the info on their computer. I then sent them photocopies of my docs.
Eventually got a terse standard letter saying no further action would be taken.
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Smokie - actually he's not a moron for doing that, but mainly due to the incontinent cat that accompanies him...
As for P.U.'s advice, it may have been f.o.c. but was also t.i.c... It is actually quite tempting though, in the light of the above.
Everyone, thank you though, I suppose it's easier to deal with the prospect of one small fine for failure to infrom the DVLA (in the unlikely event that they pursue it) than it is to field the tidal wave of ANPR and other fines that are likely to arise.
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David
Just a thought, your friend who owned the car may still have the contact details (on his phone perhaps) of the bloke that bought it. Hence he may be able to try calling him for the info.
Even if the buyer gives a false name and address surely your friend, in entering the details diligently, has then discharged his responsibility?
H
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First name and mobile number only, unfortunately Hugo.
He's tried the mobile and there's no answer.
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Even with those details, DVLA may be able to trace it.
H
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Wasn't it bought by M. Mouse of 5 Privet Drive?
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Maybe someone from Letsby Avenue.
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Sold a bike to a dealer who promised on his mothers life that when he sold it on he would make sure the buyer filled in all the documents.
You can guess the rest.
Never ever again. Good luck to you mate but he needs to contact DVLA NOW!
Incidently had to deal with DVLA when my father died and found them exceptionally helpful. Are they really a government department.
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The DVLA must have a procedures for such circumstances.
After all, even if you did things correctly and the V5 was filled in a the time and posted off, what happens if it got lost in the post. If you didn't note the buyers name and address down elsewhere you would be in the same position as now.
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Incidently had to deal with DVLA when my father died and found them exceptionally helpful.
I found the same when my mother died last May.
The car was transferred to my wife and it was made very painless, almost as easy as selling a car under normal circumstances. They needed a death cert IIRC.
H
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