Dealer has registered car in wrong name

[RemarkLima]

Hi all,

Hopefully a quick yes or no.

I've just purchased a new (used) car and it should be registered in our business name, however the dealer has registered it in my name.

Obviously, I can transfer the ownership to the business easily, but it'll add another owner.

Is there a way to do a transfer without adding another owner? If it's done within a week?

Thanks!

[sixor8]

I returned my V5c because the previous owner had presumed my email address was my name when doing the transfer, so my surname was missing.

I sent this off to Swansea to be changed and it came back correctly without an extra owner, but took a month (in Jan 2022). Changing the name of the company to the name of a person may be more unlikely but if you speak to DVLA or write a accompanying letter, it's possible. But.... civil servants etc.

[RemarkLima]

It's a person to a company, but that could be a good shout to write and evidence that it was a clerical error.

Nice to know it's at least possible!

[Fastdruid]

Many years ago bought a bike where we sent off the V5 but to tax it the post office insisted needed to fill in request for a new V5.

Long and short, got two V5's in quick succession, both in the "same" name (from memory the address was "correct" but very slightly different formats) and one advancing the owners count by 1.

Contacted the DVLA and they sent out another V5 reducing the owner count (they couldn't just cancel the second one as each V5 cancels the one previously).

[N111BJG]

I had this, a dealer registered a car using a shortened version of my name instead of my full name, they arranged for DVLA to issue a new v5 showing the correct name in full to match my driving licence & insurance details. It did not increase the number of previous keepers.

[TarquinMX5]

sixor8 said:

I returned my V5c because the previous owner had presumed my email address was my name when doing the transfer, so my surname was missing.

I sent this off to Swansea to be changed and it came back correctly without an extra owner, but took a month (in Jan 2022). Changing the name of the company to the name of a person may be more unlikely but if you speak to DVLA or write a accompanying letter, it's possible. But.... civil servants etc.

That's probably slightly better than the previous owner thinking you were called Mr Sixor8

[Krikkit]

RemarkLima said:

It's a person to a company, but that could be a good shout to write and evidence that it was a clerical error.

Nice to know it's at least possible!

Write to them with a simple cover letter and a copy of your invoice showing the company purchasing the car, I'm sure they'll sort it

[964Cup]

Depending on circumstances you might prefer to have the car registered in your name. A V5 is not proof of ownership and doesn't prevent you treating the car as a company asset; having the V5 in your name will make - for instance - travel abroad easier as you won't need to carry a letter from the company authorising you to use the vehicle.

[RemarkLima]

Good point... I guess it's just who it's registered to, so the company does still own the asset. Maybe just leave it?

[964Cup]

RemarkLima said:

Good point... I guess it's just who it's registered to, so the company does still own the asset. Maybe just leave it?

Both our company cars are in our personal names on the V5. No accountant, auditor or taxman has ever questioned it. If you put the car in a company name you will end up with the same problems going abroad that are faced by people with leased cars registered to the leasing company.

[oakdale]

964Cup said:

RemarkLima said:

Good point... I guess it's just who it's registered to, so the company does still own the asset. Maybe just leave it?

Both our company cars are in our personal names on the V5. No accountant, auditor or taxman has ever questioned it. If you put the car in a company name you will end up with the same problems going abroad that are faced by people with leased cars registered to the leasing company.

The only thing to watch for is what the business motor insurance says, some will only cover vehicles registered to the company.

[RemarkLima]

oakdale said:

964Cup said:

RemarkLima said:

Good point... I guess it's just who it's registered to, so the company does still own the asset. Maybe just leave it?

Both our company cars are in our personal names on the V5. No accountant, auditor or taxman has ever questioned it. If you put the car in a company name you will end up with the same problems going abroad that are faced by people with leased cars registered to the leasing company.

The only thing to watch for is what the business motor insurance says, some will only cover vehicles registered to the company.

We've always just had a personal policy that covers class 1 business use... Lease Co never had an issue, nor accountant. So also should be OK?

[Dracoro]

Not sure on the legalities, however if registered to personal name and a sale to you as a private buyer will afford you more rights.

If to “you” as a business, should there be any issues with the vehicle, some dealers may say “sorry, no comeback, trade sale” etc. Having a business reg user would “back up” the dealer should it need to go any further…

Also, if a business sale, then I assume you can claim the VAT on the car sale?

[oakdale]

RemarkLima said:

We've always just had a personal policy that covers class 1 business use... Lease Co never had an issue, nor accountant. So also should be OK?

Can't see a problem in that case.

[swisstoni]

My company bought my car new and owns it. But I am the keeper of the vehicle and it’s my name and address on the registration document.

[sixor8]

TarquinMX5 said:

sixor8 said:

I returned my V5c because the previous owner had presumed my email address was my name when doing the transfer, so my surname was missing.

I sent this off to Swansea to be changed and it came back correctly without an extra owner, but took a month (in Jan 2022). Changing the name of the company to the name of a person may be more unlikely but if you speak to DVLA or write a accompanying letter, it's possible. But.... civil servants etc.

That's probably slightly better than the previous owner thinking you were called Mr Sixor8

There's a section you fill in on the V5c (Section 3) for if details are wrong or have changed, this does not generate a change of keeper. A change of surname due to marriage would be also be an obvious example.

I expect people have tried it on using this section for a change of keeper at the same address (family member etc) but I doubt it would work.