1. Who are DVLA and what do they do?

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) keeps records of drivers and vehicles in Great Britain. They manage driving licences, vehicle registrations, road tax and certain penalties. When you sell a car, several DVLA systems are updated in the background.

2. What DVLA records about your car

For each vehicle, DVLA holds details such as registration number, VIN, make, model, colour, tax status, MOT status and the name and address of the registered keeper. Buyers and sellers rely on this information being accurate and up to date.

3. Your responsibilities as the registered keeper

As the keeper you must:

• Keep your address up to date
• Ensure the car is taxed or on SORN
• Arrange MOT tests when due
• Inform DVLA when you sell, scrap or export the car

Failing to notify DVLA after a sale can mean you still receive fines or penalty notices.

4. Notifying DVLA when you sell your car

You can tell DVLA about the change of keeper either:

• Online via GOV.UK using the details from the V5C, or
• By completing the relevant section of the logbook and posting it.

Once DVLA processes the change, they update their records and send the new keeper their own V5C.

5. What happens to your vehicle tax

When DVLA records the sale, your existing vehicle tax is automatically cancelled. Any full months remaining are refunded to you. The new keeper must tax the car themselves before driving it away; tax no longer transfers with the vehicle.

6. How MOT records are handled

MOT data comes from authorised test centres and is linked to the registration number. When the keeper changes, the MOT history remains with the car and is visible online. This helps buyers check mileage and see how well the car has been maintained.

7. Fines and penalties after a sale

If you don’t tell DVLA you’ve sold the car, you may still receive speeding tickets, parking fines or tax reminders. Keeping proof of sale and the DVLA confirmation letter or email protects you if there is any dispute later.

8. SORN and taking a car off the road

If your car is not being driven or kept on public roads, you can declare SORN with DVLA. When you later sell the car, the new keeper will need to tax it before using it. SORN does not transfer, so make sure buyers understand the car cannot be driven until taxed.

9. Updating personal details

If you move house or change your name, you must update DVLA for both your licence and your V5C. This ensures future tax reminders and correspondence reach you and avoids confusion when it’s time to sell.

10. How SellAnyCarAberdeen helps with DVLA steps

When you sell your car to SellAnyCarAberdeen we walk you through the DVLA process. We help complete the online or paper notification, explain what will happen with your tax, and confirm what records you should keep. That way you can drive away knowing everything is handled correctly.