DVLA Penalty of £80

[V8VSS]

Hi all,

I need some advice on whether this is worth appealing or if it's a case of "your fault, pay and be done with it".

Long story short.
1. I bought a car to break on 23rd December, 2023. No logbook. I applied for one.
2. I Sold the car on 20th Jan, 2024. The buyer said he would give me his information when my logbook arrived.
3. 10th Feb, 2024. Logbook arrives. The buyer ignores my request for his info.

I get a few letters saying I need to tax the car, so I:
1. Send a letter to DVLA on 10th March stating the above issue and that I am no longer in possession of the car.

Cut to today:
June 2024 - DVLA have forwarded by debt to Advantis.

I've no intention of paying this, but is this ultimately my fault and that I should pay the fine?

[wales01man]

Did you take car to a scrap yard and receive a COD?

[atticus]

Not insisting on getting the buyer's details at point of sale was naive. How did you communicate with him to let him know that you now had the "log book"?

[V8VSS]

Did you take car to a scrap yard and receive a COD?

It was a private buyer. He also broke it.

[V8VSS]

Did you take car to a scrap yard and receive a COD?

I've bought and sold many cars in the past, so this was the first where it bit me in the arse. We communicated over Facebook, and I do have receipts of him reading the messages yet ignoring me.

I have appealed this penalty through DVLA, explaining my situation in addition to providing screenshots of the conversation.

Ultimately, I'm being chased as the car was not taxed (date of offence 1/02/24), yet DVLA are aware I am no longer the owner (01/03/24 onwards)