Selling a deceased person’s car

Dealing with the passing of a loved one is a stressful time, and dealing with an administrative task like selling their car may only add to that.

This guide is here to take you step-by-step through the process of transferring ownership, which will be needed before selling a deceased person’s car.

Notify the DVLA of the person’s death

Following a person’s passing, you’ll need to inform the DVLA before you can sell their car.

It has a dedicated ‘Tell Us Once’ service to do this. This can be done online, and you’ll need the following information:

• The full name of the deceased person
• Their date of birth
• Their full address
• The date of their passing
• The name, address and contact details of the person or company dealing with their estate (property, belongings and money). This may be known as their ‘executor’ or ‘administrator’
• If there’s a surviving spouse or civil partner — the name, address, telephone number and the National Insurance number or date of birth of the spouse or civil partner
• If there’s no surviving spouse or civil partner or their spouse or civil partner is not able to deal with their affairs — the name and address of their next of kin
• If they died in a hospital, nursing home, care home or hospice, the name and address of that institution. You’ll also be asked if the stay was for 28 days or more.

There is another method than the Tell Us Once platform. If you would rather start the process in writing, you can send a letter to the DVLA.

You’ll need the driver’s licence of the deceased person, along with a letter stating your relationship with them. You’ll need the date of their passing as well.

You should include their full name, address and date of birth too. You do not need to send a death certificate.

This information can be posted to:

• DVLA
  Swansea
  SA99 1AB

What to do if you have the V5C logbook

Transferring ownership of the car into your name is easier if you have the V5C logbook to hand. This will be a red slip (though older versions are blue) showing the registered keeper of the car.

1. Fill in section 2 of the V5C if you have a new-style logbook. This will have multi-coloured numbered blocks. If you have an older style version, fill out section 6.
2. Tear off and retain the ‘new keeper’ slip.
3. Write a letter detailing your relationship with the deceased person. You’ll need the date of their passing and who should be paid any vehicle tax refund, too.
4. Send the V5C and your letter to the DVLA Sensitive Casework team:

• Sensitive Casework Team
  DVLA
  Swansea
  SA99 1ZZ

What to do if you don’t have the V5C logbook

If you don’t have the V5C logbook for the car, you’ll need to request a new one before selling a deceased person’s car.

1. Fill in a V62 form to apply for a V5C. This will cost £25.
2. Write a letter detailing your relationship with the deceased person, the date of their passing and who should be paid any vehicle tax refund.
3. Send the V62 form as well as the £25 fee to:

• Sensitive Casework Team
  DVLA
  Swansea
  SA99 1ZZ

Remember to cancel the car’s insurance

Though the DVLA should automatically cancel the deceased person’s car tax, you’ll need to cancel the insurance.

This is unlikely to be a quick process. You may need to provide evidence of your relationship with the deceased person with the insurance company in order to cancel the policy, as well as proof of their passing.

Once ownership is transferred, you’re free to sell the car

It’s now up to you if you want to keep hold of the car or sell it on. If you want a hassle-free way of selling your car, why not sell with carwow?

All you need to do is take a few pictures, provide some info on the car and wait for offers to come in. Once you’re offered a price by one of carwow’s trusted dealers that you’re happy with, simply accept and the buyer will arrange the rest.