Sold car, new owner hasn't taxed it. Is that my problem?

[jmkodes]

I sold my car a few months ago to a family friend, I notified DVLA online with his details, and gave him the V5 to tax the car with.

According to the Gov.UK website, the car still isn't taxed, and I don't think he has even done anything with the V5 (usually you get a letter when they send it off, right)?

He's still driving it (drove past me the other day).

Is this my problem? Could I get in trouble here?

[Composite Guru]

Did you give him the whole V5 or just the buyer tear off part?

I've not sold a car for a while but from memory you need to send the main part back to the DVLA with his details and give the new buyer the slip at the bottom so he has some form of evidence he now owns the vehicle.
This is the only way to make sure you don't end up in this position.


If you followed this then its his responsibility to tax it from the date you sold it.
https://www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q916.htm

[Mezzanine]

Probably a big backlog at the DVLA at the moment so any paperwork you sent back is probably still waiting to be processed.

If you know the guy, can you not just ask him to tax it etc?

[Richard-390a0]

It's your reponsibilty to inform the DVLA isn't it & the new keeper only gets a slip from the V5 to use to tax the car. I do this all instantly online these days no stress that way lol

[KevinCamaroSS]

You say you 'notified DVLA online with his details'. Did you carry out the full sold process online? If so, the V5C paper is irrelevant other than using the document reference number in the online form. If you also select to receive the email notification you also have that to prove the sale. Provided this was done you have no further interest in the vehicle and whether or not he taxes it does not matter to you.

[leyorkie]

Assuming it was “ taxed” when you had it, the fact that’s it’s showing not taxed means they have taken your tax off it and given you the refund, or was it on SORN?

[martinbiz]

If you have done the change of keeper online then that's job done, whether it is taxed sorned or neither there nothing more for you to do or worry about. If you have done it the old way then it is the sellers responsibility to notify the Dvla by sending the V5C off the with the new keeper details not the buyer

[jondude]

I seem to remember as soon as you notify the date of sale the new keeper is responsible as only you can keep the tax refund if any is due. The new owner should really tax it before he drives away. (I asked the seller if I could use his net, done there and then)

This means the DVLA often get a car 'taxed' twice for a month. You sell on the 20th, no refund for that month...new owner must tax from 20th, so he pays from the 1st of that month too.

The new owner might be thinking he can get some days grace* but I think he risks some decent fines (the car will be on police ANPR as untaxed) and the best he can expect is to be taxed from the date of sale anyhow.

Just not worth it - best for him to tax it and be done with it.

• Edit, just seen this has been going on for months. Dangerous play but OK, the virus might indeed be the reason everything is delayed.

Edited by jondude on Wednesday 12th August 18:18

[spanner10]

Upon notifying the change of keeper you should have received an email or paper slip from DVLA saying words to the effect ' you are no longer responsible for vehicle xx xx xxx'

If you have this -no problem

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

spanner10 said:

Upon notifying the change of keeper you should have received an email or paper slip from DVLA saying words to the effect ' you are no longer responsible for vehicle xx xx xxx'

If you have this -no problem

That's what I was about to post.

[grumpy52]

When I recently bought another car the seller did the online transfer on the Tuesday that I collected it and the new V5 dropped on my mat on the Friday
Some people are still not aware of the new rules , you see adverts with wording like " the car is taxed and insured so you can drive it away "
I think that there is a significant percentage of drivers that are totally unaware of the new rules add those to the ones that deliberately push the boundaries and that adds up to a very significant number driving around illegally

[jmkodes]

I have that email, yes.

Good to know, cheers folks!