What you need to sell a deceased person’s car

Losing a loved one can be an incredibly difficult time, and jumping through hoops to deal with their affairs is the last thing you want to be doing.

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to sell a car owned by someone who has passed away, there are important steps to follow. In this blog post, we will guide you through the process, covering key information and considerations, including:

• Important information to consider first
• Notifying the DVLA of the person’s death
• Transferring ownership using a V5C logbook
• Selling to a private individual
• Selling to a trader
• What to do if you don’t have a V5C logbook
• Are cars exempt from inheritance tax?
• Ready to sell your inherited car the Big way?

And if you want to sell a car, we offer competitive pricing and a super easy selling process to make this tough time just that little bit easier. Get a free, no obligation valuation to see how much your car is worth now.

Important information to consider first

Before initiating the process of selling a deceased person’s car, there are several key pieces of information you should gather:

• Death Certificate – Pick up the official death certificate as it will be required for various aspects of the process.
• Executor or Administrator – Determine who has the legal authority to handle the deceased person’s affairs, such as the executor of the will or an appointed administrator.
• Documentation – Gather all relevant paperwork, including the V5C logbook, service history, MOT certificates, and any other supporting documents.

Notifying the DVLA of the person’s death

When it comes to selling a deceased person’s car, make sure you inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) about the owner’s passing to avoid any legal complications. Follow these steps to notify them:

• Fill out the appropriate forms – Complete the notification online on the official DVLA website.
• Personal information – Provide details about the deceased person, including your relationship to them, the date they died, their full name, date of birth, address, and the vehicle’s registration number.
• Submit to DVLA – Submit the completed form and supporting documents to the DVLA via post or follow the online submission process.

Transferring ownership using a V5C logbook

To sell the car, you need to transfer the ownership from the deceased person to the buyer.

Here’s how you can do it using the V5C logbook:

• Complete Section 6 – In the V5C logbook, the buyer and the seller need to complete Section 6 (new keeper details) and sign it.
• Send the V5C logbook – Give the green “new keeper” slip from the V5C logbook to the buyer, and send the remaining sections to the DVLA.
• Inform the DVLA – Notify the DVLA of the change in ownership by sending the appropriate section from the V5C logbook to their address.

Selling a deceased person’s car to a private buyer

If you decide to sell the deceased’s car to a private buyer, follow these steps:

• Valuation – Determine the car’s value by researching market prices and considering factors like age, mileage, condition, and demand.
• Advertising – Advertise the car using various platforms at your disposal such as online forums and social media to reach potential buyers.
• Negotiation and Sale – Communicate with interested buyers, negotiate the price, and agree on the terms of the sale. Ensure all legal and financial aspects are properly addressed.
• Transfer of Ownership – Once you reach an agreement with a buyer, follow the V5C logbook transfer process mentioned earlier to transfer ownership.

Selling a deceased person’s car to a trader or dealer

If you prefer to sell the car to a trader or dealership, follow these steps:

• Research and Approach – Research reputable traders or dealerships and contact them to express your intent to sell the car. Get several valuations to ensure a fair offer.
• Paperwork and Negotiation – Provide the necessary documentation and negotiate the price with the trader. Ensure you understand the terms of the sale and any warranties or guarantees provided.
• Transfer of Ownership – Similar to selling to a private individual, complete the necessary paperwork and transfer ownership using the V5C logbook.