Selling a car after a death?
Selling a car after a death?
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Discussion

Furyblade_Lee

Original Poster:

4,114 posts

254 months

Friday 12th May 2017
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Hi guys. My father in law passed away in March, leaving his Jaguar Xtype . He has a wife, but she does not want to keep it. So hiw do we sell it reagarding log book, insurance, etc.? We have a quote to add it to our insurance for £60 per month temporary, but anyone had to do this?

The obvious answer is We Buy Any Car but the have offered just £4300 online before invarably knocking a bit more off at their premasis, and again the problem of getting there. These are up on dealer forecourts for £7k+ . And our insurance company took our money but could not confirm if we coukd actually drive it with the log book not in our name!!!???

GreatGranny

9,519 posts

256 months

Friday 12th May 2017
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We had a similar thing when my F in L died a few years ago.

He had a 05 IS200. Tempted to have it myself but wouldn't have been ideal for my 120 mile daily commute.

We tried WBAC and a few local garages but was offered peanuts so sold it to a neighbour in the end.

This was before probate so just declared the sale and purchase price and the money was added to his estate.

Signed docs as normal. He still has it over 3 years later and it's running like a dream.

InitialDave

15,132 posts

149 months

Friday 12th May 2017
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I had to sort it out myself in the past, the difference being I did transfer it to my name as I needed to fix and MOT the car in order for us to keep the personal plate on it before selling.

Called the DVLA and explained the situation to them, wrote them a "the owner's copped it" letter, got a "sorry for your loss" one in response followed by a new V5 in my name.

I say just call them up and explain the situation, they'll tell you what you need to do.

KevinCamaroSS

13,843 posts

310 months

Friday 12th May 2017
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InitialDave said:
I say just call them up and explain the situation, they'll tell you what you need to do.
This.

As for not being able to drive it if the V5 is not in your name? Absolute rubbish! Think lease cars, families sharing cars etc. What you do need to check is that you have insurance, the original insurance may have lapsed on his death, depends on company.

Durzel

12,999 posts

198 months

Friday 12th May 2017
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It would be worth speaking to the insurance company ASAP because it is quite possible that their terms state that the policy is frozen, or otherwise made dormant in the event of death of the policyholder, even if it is not due for renewal any time soon.

GipsyHillClimber

129 posts

124 months

Friday 12th May 2017
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Yep a simple case if you're keeping it of filling out section 6 of the V5C and then send it off with a cover letter explaining the relationship with the deceased. If i were you i would do this and then sell it privately if you're bothered about closing that gap between what WBAC offer (although i don't think you'll be getting anywhere near the 7k the garages are asking for).

I would offer a word of caution regarding the Tax, although it's unlikely to ping an ANPR at this stage the car will technically not be taxed if the previous owner has died and you've not taxed it in your name. How you would go about getting the money back from the tax your FIL paid i'm not quite sure, i don't doubt it'll be awkward to a degree.

catso

16,490 posts

297 months

Friday 12th May 2017
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Firstly my condolences.

My Father died 2 years ago. He had just bought a new car 2 weeks before but due to weather and then illness he had done less than 100 miles in it, I contacted the dealer he bought it from and they actually gave us a fair price for it as, other than a previous keeper, it was basically a new car. Obviously we lost something against the new price but I wanted rid ASAP and as it was February it was just a few weeks from being an 'old' reg plate which would, no doubt have hit it's resale value further.

As for the actual selling, I was appointed executor of his will and so signed the V5 on his behalf.

Personally I wouldn't touch WBAC, I realise they need to make a profit but their offers are a pisstake.

elanfan

5,527 posts

257 months

Friday 12th May 2017
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Firstly advertise the car on here reckon if you price it up at £6k someone will have it.

Secondly ring his insurers explain the situation (they may ask for sight of a death certificate) and ask to be added as a named driver until the car is sold. Should be no additional premium as there still only one driver. Depending on renewal date there may be a refund on sale/cancellation.

As for insurance being frozen what a load of bks! 36 years in the business. I did exactly as above for my step father's car!

superlightr

12,920 posts

293 months

Friday 12th May 2017
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Tootle is another option to sell - dealers bid on the car. I got a better price this way then WBAC.