Mot and tax running out before car getting picked up for vt

[Wez_h87]

Hi

I sent a email last weekend to santandeer to vt my car.... they sent me a text message back saying if I dont reply to the message they will instruct a external company to pick up my vechile

I didnt reply to the message and nobody has rang me to collect it yet

on the 31st of this month the tax and mot runs out

If the external havent rang me before then or have rang me and want to collect after the 31st will I have to tax the car and not it aswell

Wasnt sure when vt if you had to make sure the vechile has tax on and a mot on it

Any help appreciated

Thanks

[Aged William]

The owner of a motor vehicle on a road or other public place is responsible for it being taxed, insured and having a valid MOT certificate (unless certain exemptions apply).
The issue here is: who is the owner in this scenario?

[Wez_h87]

Obviously the log book is in my name so I'm the owner even though I have vt the car and they accepted it just waiting on a external company to ring up and arrange collection... I cant see them collecting before next friday either rob any ideas? Also what do I do about the log book do I just give it the guy who ever comes to pick the car up and leave it blank?

[R0b]

Personally, I have little sympathy for those who choose to VT knowing that the tax, insurance or MOT is due to expire very soon and don't inform the lender who may subsequently look to reclaim any fines, or penalties incurred as a result.

Whilst there isn't a legal requirement for you to maintain the appropriate tax and insurance on the car post-termination, I wouldn't be too surprised if a court (should it get that far) implied a duty on your part to let the lender know if the tax and insurance or MOT was running out so they can make the necessary arrangements. Take, for example, the MOT expiring and the lender instructs an agent to collect the car only to find out on the day that the MOT is expired and needs other means of transport meaning collection has to be abandoned. That is a key piece of information a lender would expect to know and but for your failure to notify them, they wouldn't have incurred wasted costs.

So long as the V5C is in your name, responsibility falls on you until such time that you have changed the details which you can do online using the link below. Suggest you give Santander a call and let them know and then follow up with an email if possible or otherwise a letter and let them know collection needs to be done before next week or the MOT will expire. Really that should have been put on your VT letter but hey ho.

https://www.gov.uk/sold-bought-vehicle

[Wez_h87]

Hi rob

I've actually rang them and told them the mot and tax runs out a week today I did that yesterday

If they cant get the car picked up before friday then my car is on a service plan (allready payed for) so if all fails the mot is booked in for saturday 1 August to be tested so not a big one if they cant pick up( unless it fails but dont think it will)

But for the road tax I wont have to renew that will I?

I just assume like you said it need to be road legal so a mot and that's it

Thanks for reply

[des8]

The registered keeper of the vehicle is responsible for paying the vehicle tax or making a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN) if the vehicle is to be kept off road.

[Wez_h87]

Am I best sorn the vechile then if they cant pick up before friday?

Then just get it mot still so its road worthy for collection?

[R0b]

So what did Santander say to you yesterday when you told them?

Whatever you do, I think it would be best to notify Santander and give them a deadline to confirm collection otherwise you will take whatever action you decide to take. Preferably written correspondence so you can use that as evidence if they kick up a stink later down the road.

[Wez_h87]

Hi rob

They said that the mot could be ok because of covid-19 there has been extensions apparently and she said do I have a drive to keep it parked on so when the tax runs out I wont get any fines from local council etc because the car is not getting picked up till the 5th of August

I'm thinking of taking it for the mot on saturday the 1st cos it's all ready payed for and should pass then I might have to tax it aswell because am sure you can claim the tax back cant you once its sorn when they pick it up is that right or am I totally getting this wrong

If you was me would you send them another email now just stating that it runs out and what advised me other the phone?

Thanks

[ostell]

Pay your tax monthly then no problems. Or just SORN it, no payment required.

It's not the local council to worry about, it's the DVLA for not having valid tax on the vehicle. That was bad advice

[Wez_h87]

Thanks m8 I'll just pay a month thank you