Vehicle tax question

[Old Merc]

I`m thinking of buying a classic rally car. This car has been part of a private collection and transported to various shows and events, never been used properly since restoration. My problem is DVLA shows tax due September 1997 !!! If I go to tax it will I or the previous owner get fined and/or pay the back tax.

[BertBert]

31 January 1998
Declaring SORN informs DVLA the vehicle is off road, so you won't need to pay any duty, or pay tax on your vehicle. Statutory Off Road Notification was introduced on 31 January 1998 and applies to vehicles licensed on or after that date.

[Old Merc]

As far as I know it’s never been SORNed or taxed since 1997.

[KevinCamaroSS]

Do you have the V5C available? If so, you could try declaring SORN and see what happens. Best guess is you will have to contact DVLA to sort out the paperwork anyway.

[ARHarh]

KevinCamaroSS said:

Do you have the V5C available? If so, you could try declaring SORN and see what happens. Best guess is you will have to contact DVLA to sort out the paperwork anyway.

Change V5 to your name, tax or sorn as needed. no issues, if the previous owner did something wrong it is their fault not yours. But it was off the road prior to sorn rules so will be OK. Just tax it.