Sold vehicle but didnt get new owners details. What can I say to DVLA? They still think I am registered owner?

Question

Hi, Although I have put 'I' in the question this is something my idiot of a friends did! Let me explain. She sold her car for £100 to a friend of hers (who I don't know) in August 2010 and pretty soon after that had a falling out with her and lost contact. Now she is getting letters from the DVLA saying that the vehicle has not been taxed or declared off the road so as the registered keeper she is liable for an £80 fine. As i have said she is really stupid!! She doesn't know the surname of the person she sold the car too or her address. The V5 (logbook) form was lost in the first place so no official transfer of ownership was done. What can she do?? And, please don't just say she is stupid or why didn't she get details etc, she KNOWS she is stupid, she was basically bullied into a quick sale by someone that used her to get the car and now needs to solve this problem asap. Any help is gratefully received

Answer 1

Other than write to the DVLA telling them all about it there is little she can do. They do not have to accept it and can actually prosecute her for failing to notify the change of keeper too.

Answer 2

She needs to ring DVLA and simply tell them that she sold the vehicle and sent the forms back - unfortunately, the person she sold the vehicle to has now moved and she cannot get in touch with them.



UNLESS of course she has already spoken to DVLA and told them the story above - in which case, she is stuffed and will have to pay up

Answer 3

Don't panic! I sold my car last year, the new owner (who I do n't know) filled the form in but I lost it :-/ D'oh! I obviously got the tax reminder and started panic, phoned them up explaining the situation and they said as long as I put it in writing to them that I no longer owned the car I would be fine. X

Answer 4

How to notify DVLA if you sell your vehicle

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/BuyingAndSellingAVehicle/RegisteringAVehicle/DG_4022311



Note, if don't know the new keeper's name and address, it doesn't matter, as long as she is removed as the current keeper.



Before anyone gives me a thumbs down for the above, I should know I work there.