V5 Logbook Advice

Jinglejane

Bought a car back in late march for my parents which turned out to be a dud also it didn't come with the logbook so the seller assured me he sent off a letter to the DVLA stating the new details of the new owner etc. Got the car MOT'd and was told it was a dud so wanted to scrap the car but thought I needed to wait for the logbook to arrive. I couldn't declare the car SORN as had no paperwork for the car either. Anyway today the logbook finally shows up and have just scrapped the car after finding out I didn't need a logbook in order to scrap it. I want to declare it SORN just to do the right thing and am probably going to get a fine as a result but feel it isn't my fault as I've tried to contact the DVLA and haven't been able to get through on the phone either. 

Some advice would be really helpful. 

AdrianC

Back at the start of lockdown, in March, DVLA said "DO NOT POST US ANYTHING. We aren't opening it. Do it online."
That stayed until mid-June, to be replaced by "We're taking ages to deal with the backlog of post. Don't phone us."
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/dvla-coronavirus-covid-19-update

Don't SORN it - just notify it as scrapped.

A_Lert

https://www.gov.uk/scrapped-and-written-off-vehicles

Jinglejane

AdrianC said:

Back at the start of lockdown, in March, DVLA said "DO NOT POST US ANYTHING. We aren't opening it. Do it online."
That stayed until mid-June, to be replaced by "We're taking ages to deal with the backlog of post. Don't phone us.

Don't SORN it - just notify it as scrapped.

The car was purchased a couple of days before the lockdown. I contact the DVLA the day after I bought it as I wanted to tax it and they said I couldn't until I had the logbook but I could drive it to the garage and back for its MOT. They didn't say anything to me at the time about delays apart from it should usually be 4-5 weeks. I just wondering if I'll get done for not taxing it or declaring it SORN even if I scrap it

Hasbeen

Jinglejane said:

 Anyway today the logbook finally shows up and have just scrapped the car after finding out I didn't need a logbook in order to scrap it. I want to declare it SORN 

I believe you actually need the "logbook" -  V5 to scrap a car. You give the correct part to the recycle yard. To stop people stealing cars and getting scrap money for them. Paperwork is required.

You do not need to SORN. You need to notify DVLC:  https://www.gov.uk/sold-bought-vehicle/y/no/scrapped-it-or-it-s-been-written-off

EdGasketTheSecond

I think it is dodgy traders masquerading as private sellers that claim they don't have the V5. They usually buy spares/repairs cars at knock down prices, mask the issues and sell on as if it was a good car with no problems for a far greater sum than they paid. Usually you don't view the car at their house but somewhere else. Does that sound about right?

Jinglejane

EdGasketTheSecond said:

I think it is dodgy traders masquerading as private sellers that claim they don't have the V5. They usually buy spares/repairs cars at knock down prices, mask the issues and sell on as if it was a good car with no problems for a far greater sum than they paid. Usually you don't view the car at their house but somewhere else. Does that sound about right?

Yes it does. Had two years of no advisorys on MOT so thought it was ok then found out later on that they're not worth the paper they're written on. 

I went to the scrap dealer today who bought the car off me and they filled in the part of the logbook I need to send back to the DVLA so am hoping they won't come down on me for not taxing the car as I didn't have the logbook for nearly 5 months 

macman

Why oh why...
The rule should be, tell the buyer that you will need to inspect the V5C when you view the car. No V5C, don't bother looking at it. No matter what array of ingenious excuses they might have...