Just one small oversight when purchasing a vehicle could land you in a lot of legal trouble. While you may be excited to pay for your shiny new car and be on your way, you should first ensure that you have the car’s log book., otherwise known as a V5C.
This document helps to prove that you are the registered keeper of the vehicle and are thus responsible for both registering and taxing the vehicle. Most importantly, you’ll be unable to tax the vehicle until you have all the necessary information contained in the log book.
The DVLA itself advises buyers to always ask to see the V5C vehicle registration certificate before purchasing a car and ensure that it has a ‘DVL’ watermark. It should also contain a serial number that is not between BG8229501 to BG9999030, or BI2305501 to BI2800000.
If this doesn’t match the V5C may in fact be stolen. You should also ensure that you get the green ‘new keeper’ slip from the log book which will allow you to tax the vehicle immediately.
Up to £2,500 fine for untaxed vehicle
It is advised that you tax your vehicle immediately after purchasing. This is because it’s a criminal offence to drive a vehicle on a public UK road without valid road tax – with one very small exception.
If you’re caught driving an untaxed vehicle you could be fined up to £2,500 depending on the car’s status. If the a DVLA system automatically flags a vehicle you’re driving as being untaxed but not declared SORN (off the road) the registered keeper of the vehicle will receive an £80 fine.
Otherwise, you could receive an out-of-court settlement letter which includes a fine of £30 plus the outstanding vehicle taxed multiplied by one-and-a-half. If this isn’t paid, it then leads to a criminal offence which could lead to you appearing in magistrate’s court where you face either a £1,000 fine or the amount of tax charged multiplied by five – whichever is greater.
However, if you drive an untaxed vehicle which has a SORN notice in force (something you should ensure there isn’t before purchasing the vehicle), you will receive an out-of-court settlement letter with a £30 fine plus double the outstanding tax. If this is left unpaid, you will find yourself in magistrate’s court where you could receive a fine of up to £2,500.
You are excluded from taxing your car only if you’re taking it to a pre-booked MOT test. While there are no exact specifications on the distance you can drive in this circumstance, it is advisable that you do not travel an unreasonable distance and you avoid stopping at any shops on the way as this could exclude you from using the exemption if stopped by police.
Everything a vehicle should have before you purchase it
According to the DVLA, you should make the following checks before viewing a vehicle you intend to purchase:
- Ask the seller for the registration number, MOT test number, and make and model
- Check these details with information held by the DVLA
- Check the MOT status and history matches all details you’ve been given
- Check if there has been a recall for the vehicle
When receiving the log book, you should also ensure that all details match what the sellers has told you. You can also check to see if the vehicle identification number and engine number match those on the logbook.