Should I SORN my car or not bother?

LJRB

Hi, I bought a small, cheap car almost a year ago, but now it needs repairs I don't presently have the money for, so I decided to take it off the road and declare it SORN.

I've just cancelled my car insurance and breakdown cover, and it's now stored on private land and won't be driven at all.

Upon trying to declare it SORN I realised that the dealer I bought it from last year didn't transfer ownership from the guy who owned it before me so it's technically still in his name. I do have the second page from the V5C (log book) belonging to and showing the previous owner's name and address, including the green slip at the bottom which is all that should have been given to me.

An added complication is that I also discovered that my road tax was due 3 months ago in December! So I owe about a tenner on that. I didn't realise this as I'd obviously had no notification about it as DVLA doesn't know the car is mine. But I fear I'll also get a fine for late payment.

I spoke to DVLA to find out how to go about paying the outstanding road tax, and declaring my car SORN and they tell me that firstly I need to pay £25 to tell them via form V62 from the Post Office that the car is mine and that I'd like a log book. I said that the mistake was the dealer and not me, and that I don't owe them £25. They said I've to take that up with the dealer, which I know will be a waste of time.

Once I've paid for and got the log book, then I can declare it SORN.

So I'm now thinking that, seeing as I'm hardly rolling in money at the moment, DVLA doesn't even know the car's mine, it's not on the road, and the former owner hasn't bothered to transfer ownership, is there any point me doing anything at all until I decide to put it back on the road?

What would you do?

DullGreyGuy

It's an offence not to have insurance on a vehicle that isn't SORNed even if the vehicle is on private land and not drivable. The MIB and DVLA compare notes send a warning letter and then a penalty notice to any vehicle thats not SORNed and not in the MIB. 

The dealership can easily call the DVLA said the transfer of ownership was on X date but they've noticed it's not been processed by the DVLA yet and the DVLA will backdate it. 

Wouldn't want the hassle of potentially then having to deal with a penalty notice that may have switched to a prosecution because of the delay. 

LJRB

DullGreyGuy said:

It's an offence not to have insurance on a vehicle that isn't SORNed even if the vehicle is on private land and not drivable. The MIB and DVLA compare notes send a warning letter and then a penalty notice to any vehicle thats not SORNed and not in the MIB. 

The dealership can easily call the DVLA said the transfer of ownership was on X date but they've noticed it's not been processed by the DVLA yet and the DVLA will backdate it. 

Wouldn't want the hassle of potentially then having to deal with a penalty notice that may have switched to a prosecution because of the delay. 

Thanks so much for your reply Mr DGG - I've just called the dealer and he's done it online there and then! I had no idea it would be that simple. I honestly imagined I'd have a bit of a fight on my hands and a load of excuses, it's too late, etc., but not at all; the guy was really helpful and sorted it right away. I appreciate your advice.