Suspicious Car Dealer? What crime / misdemeanour is he likely to be perpetrating.?

Question

I sold a car to a Motor Trader in February of last year. He paid me cash and I was happy with the deal. He said he woul deal with the paperwork and I gave him the V5. The tax on the vehicle ran out last September and I was notified that I needed to apply for SORN or retax it. I took the notice to the dealer who said he would sort it. Today I received another notice saying the penalty had still not been paid. I understand clearly that I am liable for this penalty until the car is transferred to someone elses name so I went to check with the dealer again. He was immediately abusive with me and I was quite shocked - though he said he would deal with it.

My question is why would a dealer buy a car - he said he was going to sell it on to another dealer - and then not register it for almost a year? (I have just found out that it was MOTed last week and DVLA now have a record of the transfer)..Am I right to be suspicious or have motor traders found a new way to get cars to increase value?

Answer 1

I had a situation like this a few years ago, I wrote to the DVLA explaining what had happened, giving the name and address of the person that I'd sold the car to, I didn't hear from the DVLA again, so I think they must have taken the matter up for me. He sounds like he deals with 'ringer' cars (made up from different ones he buys)
Good luck
Just tell the DVLA all that you can, they will help you.

Answer 2

As the original owner of the vehicle you were the one responsible for telling the DVLA that you had sold the vehicle not the dealer.
There is a section of the V5 that you are required to return to the DVLA and not give to the dealer, why you should now be considering the dealer was doing wrong when it was yourself that put you in the situation in the first place

Answer 3

Dealers often do this, shuffling their stock around from one to another without registering. I'd just mention this from DVLA:

If you sell your vehicle privately or through a motor trader, you should notify the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) about the sale using the appropriate section of the registration document or certificate.
It is important to tell DVLA as soon as you sell your vehicle or you will continue to be responsible for paying the vehicle tax or penalties for the non-payment of it. You may also receive mail relating to motoring offences committed in the vehicle. When DVLA have been informed, they will send you a letter of receipt confirming that you are no longer responsible for the vehicle.

Hopefully you're okay now!

Answer 4

Send DVLA the details of the new keeper TOMORROW morning. I'd suggest go to work late if this is an issue as you could end up in prison for this. Unlikely it's true, but you want to get them the details of this garage ASAP so they know who the new keeper is. Also you need the precise date you sold the car to them, and if you kept a copy of the receipt send them a photocopy of this too. You should then get a note in a week or two telling you the car is no longer registered in your name. Keep this in case of any further issue, but the issue should be their responsibility from then on.

Answer 5

Saying the words "suspicious" and "Cardealer" in the same sentence is an oximoron... particulary the "Buy here pay here" kind of dealerships.

I'm not sure what the deal is with that.. but my next phone call would be for a free consultation with a lawyer to examine your rights.

Answer 6

Suspect he a ringer. Buys a car to get its identity. Buys a stolen car and transfers the identity to the stolen car, which will be of a higher value. Sells on 'ringed' motor.

Answer 7

If you believe that the dealer is doing something illegal, then you should contact the Dept of Bussiness Regulation (Dealer License Division) in your state.

Answer 8

i own a repair shop,and any time you mention car dealer there's always something going on with them,i have seen them keep cars for more than 2 years before they actually sell them,so that part of it don't surprise me at all the rest of it is just typical used car dealer stuff,id say your ok on it now,it just took a while for it to sell,you probably wont hear no more about it,good luck i hope this help,s.