DVLA Letter About SORN... Car Already Is?

[InitialDave]

Bit odd, this.

Bought a car a few weeks ago, was on SORN by the previous owner.

Tried to declare SORN as the new keeper, referencing the V5C/2 new keeper slip, it wouldn't let me do so online, as they hadn't had the V5C from the previous owner. Fair enough.

Received the V5C in my name, went online to declare it SORN... It wouldn't let me, saying it already is. Ok, strange, maybe the previous attempt with the new keeper slip did work, then.

Checked the status a week later (using the "vehicle enquiry" site) just in case this was a hangover from the previous owner's SORN and it simply hadn't updated online. Nope, still fine.

Got a letter today (letter is dated 24th February) telling me "You must tax or SORN your vehicle immediately". Right, maybe it did go tits up somehow, never mind, will do it now.

But when I go onto the website and put in my V5C details, it again won't let me do it, and says the car is already on SORN. Checking the vehicle enquiry site says the same, SORN in place. Calling the automated phone version of the service gives the same result, SORN already in place.

So the status hasn't changed in this period of several weeks, the car was SORN long before this letter was generated, and still is.

Any idea what's going on? Can't ask the DVLA because they've decided to abandon ship due to the snow, according to their answerphone!

Also, yes, I might have avoided this had I done the change of keeper business online. Doesn't matter now, and anyone raising this point owes me a pint for the trouble of reading their post saying so...

[Some Guy]

Get a screenshot of the message saying it is SORNed.

If everything goes tits up, you have proof you complied, but their system was at fault.

[InitialDave]

Some Guy said:

Get a screenshot of the message saying it is SORNed.

If everything goes tits up, you have proof you complied, but their system was at fault.

Mmm, I did that, not that it's "proof" as such, as they don't show a date of your enquiry on the information that results, so it could be from any time, but it's all I've got really.

Just wondered if it had happened to anyone else I suppose.

[SlowAndDull]

I had this last year, exactly the same situation. I took screenshots at every attempt, in case I needed it.

I ended up with a £1000 (I think?) fine letter - after I wrote back explaining the situation I had a response stating “in this instance, as a gesture of goodwill, the fine has been cancelled”. Cheeky buggers.

I would suggest phoning the DVLA in advance (when the snow has cleared) and explain to minimise your future hassle!

[InitialDave]

Hmm, maybe their data just goes a bit squiffy sometimes.

Turns out they have an email form you can contact them with, including an attachment, so I've done that with the aforementioned screenshot of it already being SORN.

Might still get a nasty letter from them in future, but at least I have traceability of having told them on a given date now. In theory they'll reply to the email in a few working days, but I can call them if they don't.

[lost in espace]

Same happened to me twice in Jan. Was sorned got letters.

[Plinth]

Similar with my new bike – couldn’t SORN it with the V5C online, so I printed off a form (V890) and posted it with the V5C.
Kept copies, so hopefully it will be OK.
Interesting that I could tax it with a V5C, but not SORN it….

[anonymous-user]

Always keep screenshots, either copy and paste into MS paint or just photograph from phone.
That usually has time, date and location of pic etc
From experience many Gov employees and depts are foooked when hit with facts and evidence (ex gov employee learnt how to play system)

[richard sails]

Email the screen shots to the DVLA and CC yourself and a friend into the email, that will fix the latest time the pictures were taken.

[InitialDave]

Received the following email from them:

DVLA said:

I'm sorry to hear that you have received a letter asking you to SORN the vehicle after this had already been completed.

Due to the problem you have encountered I have sent a case across to the relevant department for them to update the SORN details correctly.

You should receive a confirmation letter from us within 4 weeks.

I’m sorry for any inconvenience caused, and appreciate your patience with this matter.

Guess that's the end of that, then.

[Rednose330]

Yesterday, was told historic vehicle which i bought in 2012 had been off the road since 1994!

i have their confirmation i sorned in 2012 ,just after purchase,
tried all things OP did, using v5 as reference

then told by text from DVLA could be fined , bit worrying

called ,spoke to a real helpful guy in DVLA .......no explanation but checked it all out and everything in place , no penalty , and currently100% ok on new sorn

strongly recommend speak to a human ............truly helpful

[Jagmanv12]

SlowAndDull said:

I had this last year, exactly the same situation. I took screenshots at every attempt, in case I needed it.

I ended up with a £1000 (I think?) fine letter - after I wrote back explaining the situation I had a response stating “in this instance, as a gesture of goodwill, the fine has been cancelled”. Cheeky buggers.

I would suggest phoning the DVLA in advance (when the snow has cleared) and explain to minimise your future hassle!

They make the mistake and then don't admit it or apologise.

I'd be inclined to write back saying that I am out of goodwill gestures and due to the inefficiency of their dept I am invoicing them £1000 as a penalty for their mistake.

The DVLA is definitely "not fit for purpose".

[InitialDave]

Rednose330 said:

strongly recommend speak to a human ............truly helpful

Yes, I've always found actually talking to a person at the DVLA to wrap issues up quickly - only reason I didn't in this case was due to them not being in.

[evilmunkey]

had an issue with the dvla recently saying my car was pinged my anpr as no tax, luckily when i pay things like this i keep the email reciepts in a file so had proof payment had been taken and all was correct. I rang the dvla and the guy i spoke to said not to worry the nip i was sent would be cancelled as it can take a day or two to show on their system . To be honest i found them very helpful. i also got a statement from the bank showing that payment had been taken just as further proof.

[sim72]

I had the same problem a few years ago. I SORNed a vehicle, and a few months later got a similar letter. Luckily however, I had an easy get out. Basically, I'd sent off the tax disc in the same envelope with the SORN form.

"Excuse me, I sent you a SORN form and a tax disc. You sent me the refund for the tax disc, but claim you didn't get the SORN form?"

A week later: "We have reviewed your case and on this occasion no action will be taken".

I should f***ing think not!

[InitialDave]

For the sake of completeness: I received a SORN confirmation letter in the post today, backdated to the date I purchased the car.

[Notwen]

Just had the same thing, purchased a SORN'd car in early March and tried a few times to SORN both on the green slip and then the V5c when in my name, each time it told me already on SORN (did screen grabs)

Had the red ink letter today, tried again online, tried the automated service, both telling me it's already SORN'd

Phoned them, started to explain and the lady stopped me, said "I know what that is"
Could see my attempts online previously and claims she will deal with it and I should have the letter in the next 4 weeks.

[laters]

I have had the exact same issue with not being able to sorn a car I bought as the system said sorn in place.
Got the letter telling me I need to sorn or tax the car.
Rang DVLA and spoke to someone who looked at the system and said it will be sorted and I will get a letter in the next four to six weeks.