Selling your First Car

Most people are well-accustomed to the nightmare of purchasing a car, from the fast-talking salesmen to the less-than-honest previous owner.
Those selling a vehicle, however, have their own pitfalls to bear in mind.

Inform the DVLA when you sell
It is important to tell DVLA as soon as you sell your vehicle or you will continue to be responsible for paying the vehicle tax or penalties for the non-payment of it.
You may also receive mail relating to motoring offences committed in the vehicle if you don't inform the DVLA.
When DVLA have been informed, they will send you a letter of receipt confirming that you are no longer responsible for the vehicle.

Some simple steps to protect yourself
Here are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself from becoming a victim of crime when selling your vehicle:


The buyer will want to see the registration document or certificate to allow them to check the vehicle's details. If you have lost it, you can get a replacement from DVLA
When selling your vehicle it is worth remembering that thieves can pose as potential buyers.
Never let the buyer go on a test drive alone. They may not come back.
Don't leave the buyer alone with your keys in the ignition.
Be careful when accepting cheques or banker's drafts. If they are fraudulent or counterfeit you will lose the money. Like cheques, drafts take time to be cleared so don't part with your car until you are sure the payment is genuine. If in doubt, contact your bank. It is also worth asking the buyer for identity such as a passport or driving licence and satisfying yourself that it looks genuine. If you have doubts, check with the police.

If you sell your car privately
You should always keep a separate note of the buyer's name and address. You should tell the DVLA using the appropriate section of the registration document or certificate. More from the DVLA website.

Selling to a motor trader
If you transfer your vehicle to a motor trader, tell the DVLA of the sale using the V5C/3 section (yellow) part of the registration document and pass the rest of your registration document to the trader.

STOP 'CLOCKING'
Always Record the vehicle's mileage in the box provided which will help in the fight against vehicle 'clocking'. This is where the vehicle's speedometer is turned back to fraudulently reduce the number of miles that the vehicle is recorded.