Sold car - not sure what's happened to logbook!

Lieja

Hi all,

A couple of months ago my boyfriend's car packed in, and he 'swapped' it with his friend, who buys and sells cars, for a cheap little thing he could use while we save for another. His friend wanted our packed in car because it is the same make and model as his own car, and he wanted it for spares.

I was the registered keeper of our car, and when they swapped cars they also swapped logbooks, and we sent off our new one and got our new logbook. My boyfriend's friend ended up scrapping our old car, and although he has said that he did send off our logbook, I'm inclined to think he didn't as he's a bit of a dodgy character. I haven't had anything from the DVLA to state that the car is no longer in my name.

What, if anything, can I do? Am I worrying over nothing?

suvla_2

You could apply for the v5 and see what happens ,you can get a form from the post office or phone the DVLA and just ask for advice

Iceweasel

It sounds to me that neither party has followed the correct procedure for dealing with a change of ownership.

Firstly you, as the keeper of your old car, should have signed and dated the left-hand box at the bottom of page 2 - Section 8.

The new keeper should also sign and date the right-hand box of Section 8.

It is then for you to send the page with the Sections 1 to 8 to DVLA in Swansea.

Section 9 (selling to a motor trader) and Section 11 (permanent export) should be destroyed and only Section 10 (new keeper's details) given to the new keeper.

As for the car you now have, you (as the new keeper) should have received only the green Section 10 - the V5C/2 from your boyfriend's mate.

All of the above is explained in Section 12 of the V5C

If you have a V5C for the car you're using now then that would appear to be OK.

As for your old car - you would still be recorded as the registered keeper if the dodgy guy hasn't sent it off. It was really you that should have sent it to DVLA. I would advise contacting DVLA as the former keeper, and tell them you gave the entire V5C to the new keeper and now need to check if he has informed them.

I've never received anything from the DVLA saying that a car was no longer in my name, and I've sold a few both to the motor trade and privately.

spacey2012

Trusting a buyer to fill in the log book (vc5) is an absolute recipe for disaster.
Every time the letterbox goes you will be wondering if it is a parking ticket, speeding fine or DVLA penalty charge for not filling it in.
All you can do is contact DVLA and plead stupidity.

OldBeanz

You are the registered keeper until DVLA tell you otherwise. You are therefore liable for speeding fines, ensuring Road fund tax is paid etc. Phone DVLA tomorrow and ask for advice.

GAZ237

OldBeanz wrote: »

You are the registered keeper until DVLA tell you otherwise. You are therefore liable for speeding fines, ensuring Road fund tax is paid etc. Phone DVLA tomorrow and ask for advice.

You may find that by phoning them and admitting to not changing ownership (which is an offence) will attract a fine of £55.

Depends who you get on the phone and what kind of mood they are in.

DaveF327

Iceweasel wrote: »

I've never received anything from the DVLA saying that a car was no longer in my name, and I've sold a few both to the motor trade and privately.

I have. I've had a letter from them every time I've sold cars (trade and private). It is essential you have this letter as this forum is full of tales of woe from people who are hit with court summonses and bailiffs chasing unpaid fines all because DVLA, police and councils chased the old keeper for unpaid tax and fines etc.

DVLA also automatically fine an old registered keeper for failing to notify a change of keeper (where they find out from another source, such as the new keeper).

This must be chased up with the DVLA as a matter of urgency.

Iceweasel

DaveF327 wrote: »

I have. I've had a letter from them every time I've sold cars (trade and private). It is essential you have this letter as this forum is full of tales of woe from people who are hit with court summonses and bailiffs chasing unpaid fines all because DVLA, police and councils chased the old keeper for unpaid tax and fines etc.

DVLA also automatically fine an old registered keeper for failing to notify a change of keeper (where they find out from another source, such as the new keeper).

This must be chased up with the DVLA as a matter of urgency.

Well I'm 99% sure I've never had this acknowledgement letter for a sale.

I know I have for SORN.

Anyhow I believe you and will pay more attention in future.

desperate101

The best thing for you to do is get the form from the post office to apply for the logbook, fill it in backdated to when you sold the car, together with the £15 fee and send to DVLA. Once you get the logbook, fill in the buyers details, dated next day after sale and send off to DVLA.
It's £15, but hell of a lot cheaper than a string of fines or the police come knocking on your door 2am because your car has been used in a ramraid.

paddedjohn

Sorry but if you are really worried about it then ignore any of the above because you don't know what has happened since you parted with the car, write to the DVLA and tell them you informed them of the change of keeper a couple of months ago and you never received any confirmation. Also check to see if his friend got an end of life cert when he scrapped it.

Lieja

Thanks for all the advice - I'm not really concerned about parking fines etc since the car wasn't working at all, I'm just wondering what might happen.

I know I should have sent the logbook off, and I have my boyfriend to thank for this problem since he just took it out the drawer and gave it to his friend - apparently I worry too much!

If it has been scrapped, and I believe it has, and the car was sorned while we had it, is there anything else that could happen? I can't really ask my boyfriend's 'friend', he just fobs us off and tells us he's done it.

I've always had letters when I've sold cars to say they're no longer in my name, and I'm scared to phone the DVLA in case I get a fine!