Selling a car can be frought with pitfalls. This article will help you to safely sell your car on with the minimum of trouble.

When you sell your car either privately or through a car trader, you should inform the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) about the sale by filling in the relevant section of the registration document.

If you do not tell DVLA as soon as you sell your car or you will remain responsible for paying the car tax or liable for a penalty if car tax is not paid. You may also receive letters regarding motoring offences committed in the car. As soon DVLA have been notified, they will send you a letter confirming that the vehicle is no longer your responsibility.

Here are some simple safeguards to follow in order to protect yourself when selling your car:

  • when you sell your car remembering that theives can pose as potential buyers
  • don’t allow the potential buyer to go on a test drive on their own. They may not return.
  • never leave the buyer alone with your car with the keys in the ignition
  • be wary of accepting cheques or banker’s drafts as they may be counterfeit. Do not part with your vehicle until you are sure the payment is genuine. If you are in any doubt contact the bank concerned.
  • ask the buyer for some proof of id with an address like their driving licence. If it doens’t look genuine check with the police.

Registration document or certificate

At this point the buyer will more than likely want to see the registration document or certificate so they can verify the vehicle’s details. Without this document you may not be able to sell your car. Replacements can be obtained from DVLA, if you have lost it.

Always make a note of the buyer’s name and address. Then fill out the appropriate section of the registration document or certificate and send if off to DVLA.

You can entering the mileage of the car in the box provided on the form. This will help prevent vehicle ‘clocking’, where the cars odometer (mileage) reading is turned back to make it appear the car has driven less miles than it really has.