Selling car - but owner has now passed away
Selling car - but owner has now passed away
Author
Discussion

Fetchez la vache

Original Poster:

5,807 posts

232 months

Monday 22nd September
quotequote all
I'm selling a car for my father-in-law (via facebook as he's not on facebook..) and alas he's now passed awat this morning.
What's the situation re the v5 as obviously his name is on it?
The proceeds would now go to his wife, but how does this work in principal?
Thanks

stinkyspanner

905 posts

95 months

Monday 22nd September
quotequote all
I don't think it makes any difference, you can explain the situation to the buyer if they ask (which they probably won't)

anyoldcardave

1,001 posts

85 months

Monday 22nd September
quotequote all
Just sell it as planned, do the V5 online, I would not notify DVLA of the death, there is another similar thread and it seems to cause issues.

Sorry for your loss.

darreni

4,239 posts

288 months

Monday 22nd September
quotequote all
The car would form part of his estate i'd have thought.

Condado

103 posts

60 months

Monday 22nd September
quotequote all
I would imagine by law everything he owned is now subject to probate etc and should be kept till all the paper work is sorted.
In reality I would do exactly what you are, sell it say nothing money goes the next of kin, selling private like you intend to is the best way, I think if you go to a company like Wbac they will refuse to take it due to probate laws.
Not the same but similar in selling, my son went to Australia on a working holiday, leaving his nearly new car with us to look after till he came back, he never did and decided to sell his car to fund his visa etc, due to it been nearly new the private sale was hard so ended up going to a garage and it was a nightmare due to financial laws etc, ended up with handwritten letter send from him to garage giving us authority to sell his car.
So steer clear and sell private is best way.

Spare tyre

11,683 posts

148 months

Monday 22nd September
quotequote all
Sorry to hear the news - never comes easy

As the the car just sell it and send v5 off

732NM

9,142 posts

33 months

Monday 22nd September
quotequote all
The web page that covers this is https://www.gov.uk/tell-dvla-about-bereavement

CaptainScarlet1967

85 posts

3 months

Monday 22nd September
quotequote all
My condolences to you and your family. Sorry for your loss.

I would reiterate the posts above about selling privately, and that some buyers may not even ask.

However, given the dubious calibre of chancers and timewasters who have spawned from the growth of online classifieds, it may be prudent to mention clearly that the car is being sold due to bereavement.

I don't think anyone serious and respectful will have second thoughts, as hopefully it will only attract serious and empathetic interest rather than the undesirables.

Fetchez la vache

Original Poster:

5,807 posts

232 months

Wednesday 24th September
quotequote all
732NM said:
The web page that covers this is https://www.gov.uk/tell-dvla-about-bereavement
Many thanks everyone - I hadn't found this link before, so thanks for this also smile

732NM

9,142 posts

33 months

Wednesday 24th September
quotequote all
Fetchez la vache said:
Many thanks everyone - I hadn't found this link before, so thanks for this also smile
Your welcome.