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[Peter Holden]

How long ago was that Gene?

The last one I did (was actually for a very early Fiesta that my nephew has had for many years but never registered in his name)  DVLA wanted photos including the panel with the VIN to prove that the car still existed.  Not a problem, part of the reason for keeping it is the condition and on the early cars the VIN is on the inner cill.  He just robbed enough bits off his othe Fiesta track car to make it look complete.  That was 3 years ago.

Peter

[Wittsend]

My '59er is also pre-SORN. In my garage undergoing a very slow rebuild.
It's not on SORN, perfectly legal and doing no harm to anyone.

The V5C is in my name and there will be no problem if I ever come to putting it back on the road.
(The reg number and chassis number all match up with what's on the DVLA computer)

I can sell it - which I may do - and the new owner can simple apply to the DVLA for an updated V5C (as I did).


 

[diffwhine]

Gene is correct. Plenty of old vehicles off the road can be untaxed and not SORN'd. Its only when they change hands that DVLA wakes up and then demands SORN or taxation.

[Genem]

How long ago was that Gene?

Peter

It was Sept 2015 Peter, PO listed at an address in Kent he had not lived in for 14 years.. He had left the MoD 10 years previously but I was lucky, he had retained the same mobile number and I was able to track him down, he was in Cornwall and not at all interested in organising collection of a wreck from Scotland !

....and noting the V5 shows us still living at the Farm, I better update that too ! 

[Clifford Pope]

Gene is correct. Plenty of old vehicles off the road can be untaxed and not SORN'd. Its only when they change hands that DVLA wakes up and then demands SORN or taxation.

True, but I don't think a currently registered vehicle can become both unSORNed and untaxed can it?

[Peter Holden]

I think with Gene's experience in getting a V5 for Hesperus and the hoops we had to go through with the Fiesta shows that things change at DVLA.

Peter

[gvo416j R.I.P.]

True, but I don't think a currently registered vehicle can become both unSORNed and untaxed can it?

That is correct if by "currently registered" you mean it has been used legally "on the road" since SORN was introduced although, for a few years after the sorn legislation was passed, the DVLA/DVSA were pretty lax about chasing up people who let the tax lapse and did not sorn the vehicle within the first month.

The requirement to sorn a vehicle was extended to include vehicles which were not insured for road use by the legislation a few years ago which required a vehicle to be continuously insured.

The DVLA/DVSA are now pretty quick off the mark to issue threatening letters if the insurance lapses  --  I can attest to the fact that the letter arrives 2nd/3rd week into the month allowed to declare the vehicle sorned.

[Genem]

True, but I don't think a currently registered vehicle can become both unSORNed and untaxed can it?

"Nil" taxing the vehicle will automatically take it out of SORN (and check there is Insurance in place ?) I think ?  Has anyone, by accident of course, failed to renew their "nil" tax ?  What happened if so ?  Threats of a hefty fine for not paying the grand sum of £ Nil ?   The annual renewal thing is just a waste of our time and the taxpayers money as far as I can see, would not some note on the vehicle details that its Tax "exempt" - their term - be a better idea ? An owner deciding to "significantly modify" their vehicle would, as an honest citizen, immediately notify DVLA that the vehicle was no longer "Historic" and therefore tax was due....
 



   

[Old Hywel]

Regarding taxing immediately after declaring SORN, it has to be done at a post office since the on-line system can’t cope. It’s in the DVLA notes somewhere.

[Alan Drover]

Regarding taxing immediately after declaring SORN, it has to be done at a post office since the on-line system can’t cope. It’s in the DVLA notes somewhere.

I didn't realize that. So as changing to historic tax has to be done at a Post Office anyway, it's worth SORNING at the end of March then taxing as historic 1st April.
I wish I'd known that when I changed the Land Rover to historic.

[Genem]

^^^^ I'm still not convinced that you have to go to a Post Office to declare Historic. I know the DVLA site says so but I don't recall ever doing it....I'm sure the system just recognised that it was over 40 and asked ....

My next opportunity will be in two years time when "Nigella" the S3 turns 40.

 

[autorover1]

All my 3 vehicles were done at PO when they became due. I didn't try any other way but was advised by DVLA last year it had to be done at PO when I rang about another matter. Unfortunately one cannot take everything one is advised over the phone by DVLA to be gospel

[Calum]

^^^^ I'm still not convinced that you have to go to a Post Office to declare Historic. I know the DVLA site says so but I don't recall ever doing it....I'm sure the system just recognised that it was over 40 and asked ....

My next opportunity will be in two years time when "Nigella" the S3 turns 40.

They did it automatically on my MGB (1976 model) - amazing!!

[Peter Holden]

As with many DVLA related things it can be a bit of a lottery.

Peter

[Old Hywel]

They did it automatically on my MGB (1976 model) - amazing!!

That sparked a memory! Happened to a tractor too, without any prompting.