Take your time
We’re sorry for your loss. You don’t need to have everything sorted before you contact us: tell us what you know, and we’ll explain the rest. Your price is guaranteed for 7 days if the vehicle is as you described it, so there’s time to talk it over with your family before you decide.
Who can sell the car?
gov.uk explains that probate is “the legal right to deal with someone’s property, money and possessions (their ‘estate’) when they die”. If there’s a will, the executors named in it can apply for probate. If there isn’t a will, gov.uk says the closest living relative, normally the husband, wife or civil partner and then any children aged 18 or over, can apply to become the administrator of the estate.
gov.uk also explains when probate may not be needed. Because we need to be sure the person selling is entitled to sell, we’ll ask who is dealing with the estate when we talk, and explain what we need to see.
Was the car on finance or leased?
- On finance, such as hire purchase (HP) or PCP: tell us. We settle it directly with the lender as part of the sale, as with any car that has finance on it. Our guide to selling a car with outstanding finance explains how it works.
- Leased, including a Motability car: a leased car belongs to the company that leases it, so it isn’t the estate’s to sell. Talk to that company. Our guide to leased and Motability cars explains more.
What does DVLA need?
gov.uk says you can use the Tell Us Once service to tell DVLA about a death, if it’s available in your area, but you still need to tell DVLA separately when you sell the vehicle. When you sell to a motor trader like us, gov.uk sets out these steps:
- The motor trader fills in the yellow section of the V5C: the “sell, transfer or part-exchange your vehicle to the motor trade” section.
- You send its perforated section to DVLA’s Sensitive Casework Team with a letter.
- You give the motor trader the rest of the V5C.
Your letter explains your relationship to the person who died, the date they died, and who should be paid any vehicle tax refund. gov.uk says vehicle tax cannot be transferred to a new owner.
If you can’t find the V5C
gov.uk says that when you sell the car, you tell the buyer they’ll need to fill in form V62 to apply for a V5C, and there’s a fee. Your letter to DVLA then also needs the date you sold the vehicle and the buyer’s name and address. Tell us if you can’t find it, and we’ll talk it through.
What if the car has a private number plate?
If you want to keep the number, it needs to come off the car first: gov.uk says you need to tell DVLA you’re keeping a personalised registration number before you sell the vehicle. gov.uk lists what the executors need to send, including the death certificate and proof of who the executors or next of kin are, such as a copy of the will or a certified copy of probate. Our guide to keeping your private plate explains the steps and the timing.
Can the car be driven to you?
gov.uk says vehicle tax can’t be transferred from the person who died, and that you can be prosecuted if you use the vehicle on a public road before taxing it in your own name and insuring it. If the car isn’t taxed and insured in your name, or you’d rather not drive it, choose collection: we offer free collection anywhere in the UK, from the address you give us.
What should I have ready?
We’ll tell you exactly what we need for your situation when we talk. It helps to have:
- your own photo ID, such as a driving licence or passport
- the V5C, if you can find it
- the death certificate, and any paperwork that shows you’re dealing with the estate, such as the will, or the grant of probate or letters of administration if you have one
- all the keys, the service history and the locking wheel nut key
- the settlement letter, if there’s finance on the car
You’re paid by bank transfer before the car leaves you, the same as any sale.
General information only, not advice about your own situation. gov.uk has DVLA’s full rules and explains probate.