Car dealer failing to notify change of ownership - dishonesty or laziness?

CCP

Last month I bought a second-hand car from a local, independent car dealer. I didn't receive the new ownership documentation (V5, I think it's called) from the DVLA, so I gave them a call; the DVLA told me that they hadn't received the change of ownership form from the dealer, who, as the registered keeper, should have sent this to the DVLA when they sold the car to me.

I then spoke to the dealer, who told me that they have a policy of not notifying the DVLA when they sell a car, as they don't want to be blamed if the paperwork goes missing in the post. (As opposed to being blamed for not sending it at all as happens at the moment, I suppose!)

I have applied directly to the DVLA for a new V5 and should receive this soon, but the DVLA have recommended that I report the dealer to the local trading standards office over their failure to transfer ownership of the cars they sell. I'm wondering, though: is there any advantage (other than saving the price of a stamp) to the dealer in failing to the notify the DVLA? If there is, and this is a scam / deliberate dishonesty, then I will report them; if it's just laziness, though, I'm not inclined to potentially drop them in it with trading standards as, in other respects, they're a pretty good, and well respected, car dealer.

Any thoughts?

agrinnall

Do it. If they are refusing to fulfil a legal requiremement, what else do you think they might not be doing?

forgotmyname

Possible the dealer didnt have the logbook? Logbook loan on the car?

These can be a PITA. Not showing on the HPI etc.

tinkerbell28

How is a dealership decent when they dont even do what is required by law?

It all sounds really odd to me.

You did see the log book didn't you? As has been said log book loans dont always shop up on hpi.

marleyboy

It's a legal requirement. No dealership is well respected enough not to comply to such a simple task. It would be more than enough for me to shop elsewhere as it sounds as dodgy as a £9 note.

CCP

Thanks, all - that sounds pretty unanimous!

They really are fine in other respects, and I'm more than happy with the car, but I see where you're coming from that this is something pretty basic that they should be doing - I'll get in touch with trading standards and see what they say.

tinkerbell28

Did you SEE the log book?

CCP

Sorry, I forgot to answer that! Yes, I did see it - the salesman showed it to me when he completed the section which goes to the new owner, which he then gave to me so I can at least apply for a new V5 myself.

I would have walked away if he hadn't shown my log book, believe me!

tinkerbell28

I'm presuming it all matched up and it didn't have the duplicate marking on it?

CCP

It looked fine - the details all matched - and wasn't obviously marked as a duplicate: I have to confess, though, that I hadn't realised until recently that you could get duplicates so I hope it would be obvious if it was and I didn't miss something crucial. (Yes, I'm now feeling thoroughly embarrassed at my ignorance of something so simple. )

unholyangel

Eh less owners showing in vehicle history? Not putting cars through his books/accounts?

But as arginall says, if they're not doing something relatively simple, imagine what else they might not be bothering about (was car HPI checked etc?).