Transferring ownership after death etc...

dollifer

Hi there,

My Father sadly passed away just before Christmas and I am now the sole executor and beneficiary of his estate.

I am giving my Mother his car and would like to know that I have done things correctly so far.

I have sent the V5 and a covering letter to the DVLA as it states here: https://www.gov.uk/tell-dvla-about-bereavement/selling-the-vehicle
They have already been informed of his death using the 'Tell Us Once' service that the registry office provide so I didn't include anything else.

Now the part that concerns me is the tax. As I understand it the new owner has to purchase car tax for themselves and I get a refund. Does the new owner have to do that straight away, as in the same date that the car was transferred to them, or is there a little leeway? The DVLA will not have received the transfer request yet as it was only posted today. I'm concerned that if it isn't done today my Mum will get a fine if she does it at a later date. She won't be using the car until she gives back her lease car later this year, so maybe she should declare it off the road until then?

Also how does the refund aspect work? Will it come back to me automatically or do I have to inform them somehow?

I hope someone can make sense of this post!

Thanks.

molerat

You have sent the V5 back and filled in the new keeper part.
She should tax and insure it or SORN it on the date of purchase so do it straight away, using the ref on the new keeper slip, to avoid any complications. Although they will not bother for a few days there is no leeway. I assume it is off the public highway.
You should get a cheque for the remaining tax made out to either you or "executor of".

dollifer

Hi, thanks for your reply. It's insured by me for my mother to drive at present so there's no rush on that front just yet. Yes it's off the public highway and kept in the garage. I'll make sure she sorts the tax out today!
Thanks again

AdrianC

The keeper change will be processed fairly straightaway - and a cheque (well, a "warrant", rather than a cheque, but the same basic difference) will come out to the old registered keeper in the post automatically. It WILL be in the old registered keeper's name - your father's.

Yep, you/she should SORN it immediately, using the document reference number off the V5C/2 green slip. https://www.sorn.service.gov.uk/

When you put it back on the road, just retax it. IIWY, I'd disconnect the battery -ve, or put it on a trickle charger - else you'll find the battery flat in a week or three, if it's something fairly modern, with ECUs and memories and alarm draining the battery. Properly flat batteries usually need replacing. Keep the tyres inflated. But, for a month or three, I wouldn't worry about any other prep or maintenance.

dollifer

I renewed the tax in January with my debit card. Will they still send the cheque to my Dad? Not that it's a problem either way.
We do take it out every now and then for a run so hopefully that should be enough?
Thanks for your input

AdrianC

Yes, because he was the registered keeper.

Don't forget that, once it's no longer taxed and insured, you won't be able to take it onto the road.

dollifer

Thanks, I won't forget I'd rather she just taxed it than declare it off the road and be done with it!