What would happen if I sold my car that was never SORN?

Question

I have a car, on my drive, that's been there for 6 years.
I never SORN it and I do not get car tax reminders on it.
As far as I can see DVLA doesn't even know it exists.

If I sold it to someone and filled in the log book and sent it off would I get a fine?
If I disputed the fine by saying that I did send the SORN and as I never heard anything back (including tax reminders) I assumed you received it would I get away with it?
Is there anyway around this situation apart from having the car crushed without any paperwork involvement (my mate will do it)?

Answer 1

In the early 1970s DVLA began to computerise records of vehicles previously maintained by local vehicle taxation offices. This process involved the registration of new vehicles and the conversion of records already in circulation.

The computer record for old vehicles was closed in 1983 and vehicles which were undergoing restoration at that time were issued with letters from DVLA. In 1990 rules were introduced which allowed vehicles to claim back their original mark, on a non-transferable basis. This means that you will not be able to transfer it or put it onto retention at a later date.

To register a vehicle which is not recorded at DVLA because it missed the 1983 deadline you will need to complete application form V765 available from DVLA Local Offices

Further information is available in DVLA leaflet V848 - How to Register Your "Old" Vehicle

1. What if I take my vehicle off the road?

If you are the keeper of a vehicle and you do not license it because you do not use it or keep it on a public road, you must tell us as soon as you take the vehicle off the road. Telling us about this is called declaring SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification). This also applies if you have recently purchased a vehicle and the previous keeper has declared SORN. Once you have made a SORN declaration you will be sent an acknowledgement letter within 4 weeks confirming the details. If the acknowledgement letter is not received after 4 weeks you must immediately contact Customer Enquiries Group on 0870 240 0010.

You only need to make a SORN for a vehicle that had a licence in force on or after 31 January 1998.

Registered keepers with a V5/V5C in their name can declare SORN on line by using the following link: www.dvla.gov.uk/vehiclelicence.
Filling in the relevant section of your renewal reminder form (V11) and taking it to a licence issuing Post Office® branch. Do not post to DVLA Swansea.
Filling in the relevant section of your reminder form V85/1(for Heavy Goods Vehicles) and taking or sending it to a DVLA Local Office. Do not post to DVLA Swansea.
Calling 0870 850 4444, if you are the registered keeper and have a V5/V5C in your name. Please note it is only the person shown as the registered keeper on DVLA’s records who can make a SORN declaration by telephone. You can make a declaration from the 15th day of the month in which the licence or SORN expires. DVLA is unable to accept backdated or multiple SORN declarations by telephone.
Filling in form V14 or V33 if you are applying for a refund and the vehicle is to remain in your possession. Please do not declare SORN if you have sold, scrapped, exported or if the vehicle has been stolen. The V14 is available from a Post Office® branch, a DVLA Local Office or for download here.
Completing a SORN declaration form (V890) and sending it to DVLA. The V890 is available from a licence issuing Post Office® branch, a DVLA Local Office or for download here.
There are special arrangements in place to cater for motorists who are abroad and may find it difficult to SORN their vehicles. If the vehicle is remaining in the United Kingdom and is not being used or kept on the public road, then it is possible to declare SORN eight weeks in advance. Applications should be made on form V890 and accompanied by a letter of explanation detailing that the registered keeper is/will be out of the country on expiry of the current vehicle licence/SORN declaration. The form and letter should be sent directly to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AR.
Forms are also available by calling 0870 240 0010.

What will happen if I do nothing?
A vehicle keeper who does nothing may be liable to prosecution as will a vehicle keeper who declares SORN, but is then found to be using the vehicle on the road.
The address at which the vehicle is to be kept needs to provided only if the form requests it. SORN declarations are valid for 12 months and must be renewed, if the vehicle is kept off road for a further period. SORN can be renewed by completing the V11, V85/1 or if these are not available a V890 SORN form can be used.

There is no charge for declaring SORN

2. What if I do not license the vehicle or make a SORN declaration?
If you are/or become the registered keeper of a vehicle, you must ensure that the vehicle is licensed or a SORN declaration has been made. If it is not, you could face a fine and further penalties. Under the system of Continuous Registration (CR), which commenced in January 2004, it is not necessary for your vehicle to be sighted on the public road, for an offence to have been committed. DVLA now has the authority to carry out enforcement action against the registered keeper directly from information held on the vehicle licence records.
The law allows 14 days from the date the licence was due in which to relicense. SORN declarations are only required if the vehicle is going to be kept off road beyond this period. However, if the vehicle is used or kept on a public road it must display a valid tax disc.

The registered keeper of an unlicensed vehicle could be fined a minimum of £1000.In addition to this, you will either be required to purchase a licence or declare SORN, pay arrears of duty accrued whilst the vehicle was unlicensed and pay a penalty of £80.
As well as this, you could find your vehicle wheel-clamped by our wheel-clamping firm. It would cost you to have your vehicle released and you would also have to produce a valid licence disc or surety fee. If you did not pay this within 24 hours, we would impound your vehicle. If you did not pay the necessary release and storage fees, we would get rid of your vehicle, generally by crushing it. (See "Wheelclamping" on our website for further advice.)
The maximum penalty for making a false declaration by declaring SORN when the vehicle is actually used or kept on a public road is £5000 and two years imprisonment

If I was you I would just get it crushed by my mate the process is so long winded that unless it is worth putting it on the road scrap is easier
view the web site below

Answer 2

Dvla Sorn Form V890

Answer 3

wow you are very lucky .... last week 8 cars in Grays Essex were taken away for No Tax or SORN paperwork.
You could ring the DVLA and say you have been working away ( over-seas ) and have just came back to the UK ...this should avoid any back-dated tax..and the car being crushed..!

This worked for me but i was away over-seas in the Army ...before the SORN rule came out ...

Ring them ..there there to help and don't worry your car wont get crushed if you stick to your story.
Good luck mate .

PS William710902, has all you need ..great answer with all the facts .

Answer 4

As the model year ends, they get discoutned until someone buiys them off a lot. I got my 2004 VW Golf that way and saved over $5000. The trick is finding the balance between having last years models left on the lot and buying one befor ethey are all sold out to others who are doing the same sort of thing. Don't expect to find any dirt cheap, as they often take any that are like this and use them for dealer demos. That lets the dealer write off part of the cost and then turn around and resell the car as a certified used car.

Answer 5

The buyer should be OK if they put it on the road or declare SORN, but their actions are probably going to have DVLA looking for you. Hope you've got lots of spare dosh laying about; it's going to get expensive.

Don't bother with the recommendation to claim that you were overseas! That will get you banged up for sure as you won't be able to prove it!

Answer 6

As long as you filed that you sold the car you should be able to get around any problems you're having now. However, you will most likely need to appear in court to explain the situation.

Answer 7

Dvla V890

Answer 8

1

Answer 9

Waste of time it's unlikely to work and it is possible you will get a fine and no you won't get away with 6 years of not them or you receiving anything.

Answer 10

If you sell it then the car becomes active and anything happens then the police will be coming after you.