Previous owner neglected to SORN vehicle, will I get fined?

[pimping]

I bought the vehicle on the 18 May and intended to tax it on the 1 June.

Just tried taxing the vehicle on the DVLA website to discover it was not sorn'd when the tax ran out at the end of March.

Will I receive the 80 pound fine and have to tax it back for April and May or will the DVLA be reasonable and realise I only bought the vehicle on the 18 May and let me tax it from 1 June?

[Roo]

SORN is cancelled when a car changes hands.

Did you SORN it when you bought it?

[pimping]

As in the tax ran out end of march, he did not sorn it. I bought it 18 may and have not sorned it.

[iva cosworth]

Roo said:

SORN is cancelled when a car changes hands.

This !

SORN it now online and you might be okay.

[pimping]

Feel stupid for not checking paperwork to check it was sorned. I just went off him saying it was and trusting him. bd.

[Spitfire2]

pimping said:

Feel stupid for not checking paperwork to check it was sorned. I just went off him saying it was and trusting him. bd.

But its irrelevant. As soon as you bought it any previous SORN no longer applies and you have to immediately re-SORN or Tax. Your problem, not his.

[johnnyBv8]

You're only liable for the SORN from the date you purchased it - there seems to be some leaway at change of ownership....you'll be fine. They may attempt to fine the previous owner, but not a concern for you.

[BorkFactor]

Roo said:

SORN is cancelled when a car changes hands.

Slightly O/T, but I did not know that!

[spitfire4v8]

Yep it was advertised in every newspaper and regularly on TV.
oh wait ..

It seems to be getting to be a full time job just keeping up with rules and regs these days ..

[anonymous-user]

Hasn't it been that way since SORN was introduced? So it's not really keeping up with changes?

[Denis O]

I had similar a couple of months ago when I bought a SORN'd car. I didn't know that the SORN automatically cancelled and was informed on here that was the case. As soon as the V5 came back in my name I SORN'd on-line and I've heard nothing from DVLA since so guess all is OK.

Just wait for paperwork and SORN on-line or there is a form you can send in to SORN as well.

[spitfire4v8]

charltjr said:

Hasn't it been that way since SORN was introduced? So it's not really keeping up with changes?

I don't know .. I've never bought a car that was on sorn, so i never knew of this reg until today. I would imagine many others are in the same boat ..

[Spitfire2]

charltjr said:

Hasn't it been that way since SORN was introduced? So it's not really keeping up with changes?

Yes it has.

[Fire99]

If you have proof of change of ownership, I think it's unlikely the DVLA will pursue you for a period of 13 days.. 18th-31st May.
You are not liable for what went on before you purchased the vehicle.

[IvanSTi]

spitfire4v8 said:

charltjr said:

Hasn't it been that way since SORN was introduced? So it's not really keeping up with changes?

I don't know .. I've never bought a car that was on sorn, so i never knew of this reg until today. I would imagine many others are in the same boat ..

Yep, had no idea that was the case, presumed a car was sorted for 6 months regardless until someone applied for a tax disc. Interesting!

Didn't know this as I've never sorned or bought a sorned car so had no reason to know or check.

[mygoldfishbowl]

Why are people telling him to sorn it? He clearly says he's trying to tax it.

Did you manage to tax it online op? If not go to a post office. As others have said, you wont be fined from the 18th.

[Riley Blue]

OP - only the DVLA is able to answer your question with any certainty. Phone them on Monday morning, it's the only way to find out.

[mygoldfishbowl]

Riley Blue said:

OP - only the DVLA is able to answer your question with any certainty. Phone them on Monday morning, it's the only way to find out.

What are you talking about? Sorn is cancelled when a car changes hands. That's it.

[Riley Blue]

mygoldfishbowl said:

Riley Blue said:

OP - only the DVLA is able to answer your question with any certainty. Phone them on Monday morning, it's the only way to find out.

What are you talking about? Sorn is cancelled when a car changes hands. That's it.

He bought it on May 18th and should have SORN'd it, even if he was intending to tax it at the beginning of the following month, June. Only the DVLA will know whether a fine is due.

[mygoldfishbowl]

He wont be fined, but if he was due to be fined the DVLA would notify him in due course after he taxed the vehicle from the 1st. Do you really think it's a good idea to phone the DVLA to ask if he owes them any money? I certainly don't.