Will I have to pay this?

[folos]

Hi all,

After 2 months of timewasters and tyrekickers I sold my clio 197 to a trader back in July as I had the perfect new car lined up ready to buy. He came over to Cardiff from Essex and was a very nice chap, the transaction went smoothly and that was the end of it, so I thought.

I very stupidly let him take the whole logbook after signing all relevant parts of it - I know that I should have sent off the transfer to a motor trader myself but I didn't see any reason why he wouldn't send it off. The tax ran out the following day after the sale and last week I recieved a letter from the DVLA for a fixed penalty and the arrears of the tax.

I contacted him, he said that he had informed the DVLA but would notify them again that the car was transferred on the 30th July - I replied saying it had been transferred on the 30th. However I got another letter today acknowledging the transfer but stating that as I was the registered keeper at the time of the 'offence' I have to pay the fine and arrears.

I've contacted the dealer again to discuss this further but if he is unwilling to assist what can I do about this? Do I have to just chalk it down to experience and pay the fine?

Edited by folos on Thursday 11th October 16:15

[folos]

JM said:

When do say the transfer was?

The alleged offence was committed from 1st Aug, so if the trader says he took the car on the 30th or 31st, what is the 'offence'?

Transfer was on the 29th July (just checked), tax ran out on the 31st.

I think he forgot to send off the transfer note and failed to tax or SORN the car. I sold the car while it was still in tax and the DVLA has acknowledged the date of transfer but still holds me liable for being the keeper of an untaxed/SORN'd car and the accompanying fixed penalty - and arrears of tax.