Thread: sorn fine for a car that was exported

Hi,today i recieved a 80 pound sorn fine for a british registered LHD car i sold to a german fellow nearly 15 months ago,
at the time i sold it i sent the V5C/4 EXPORT part of the V5 to the DVLA,
2 weeks after this i got a sorn reminder,i filled this in as i wanted to cover myself from a potential fine,
6 weeks later,no conformation letter,
6 months later,no conformation letter, i thought maybe they think its still mine,its exported so maybe i dont get a conformation slip, but then i was thinking the other day,hang on,the other guys details were on that.....
anyway before christmas,another sorn reminder came,i called them...they said 'tell us in writing' i did and sent it,along with the filled in sorn and explaned i havent the right to do do this anymore as it isnt mine and gave them the new owners details...
today i recieved a letter,please pay £40 by the 16/04/09 or £80 by the 16/04/09.......
meanwhile over in europe, is my car be used unlawfully?,is it being used to commit motoring offences?,speeding fines parking tickets etc and if it gets to a certain level will interpol intervene then contact the dvla and think it is me.....im worried,wouldnt you be,ive told them,they havent updated there records,now they fine me,
how have they a charter mark for service?
should i really have to instruct a solictor to sort this out for me,the least of my worries is the £40 fine,what worries me more is the positition ive been put in by there apparent negligence and disregard for the process we have to use,isnt it a public service 1st then a business 2nd......you tell me.... im confused as to what they want to achieve,have they ignored my repeated requests just so they can fine me when i no longer feel i have the rite to keep making these sorn declarations

You should not have received the SORN reminder, I did the same thing a eastern European bloke bought my car. I was doubtful and rang up the DVLA while I had him with me, they confirmed the procedure I kept a copy of the completed form and a copy of a bill of sale to his mother. They seemed genuinely helpful when I rang them up so try it and also set out your case in writing sending the letter by recorded delivery. After that try your MP's office.

DVLA make great noise about when declaring a SORN, they'll send you a confirmation and you are expected to chase THEM up if you do not receive your SORN confirmation.

However, for a vehicle that is exported, and one that you complete the Export slip and pass it to the DVLA.... THEY DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE IT. AT ALL. EVER.

So it would be reasonable for you to assume that the Export notice has simply crossed with the tax reminder. If they are now pursuing you for NOT SORNing, you have the absolute defence of the vehicle has been experted - and you are not the RK.

It might be worthwhile to ask the DVLA to confirm that they have the vehicle showing as an export - and if not, send them a copy of the slip (which hopefully you took a copy of). As the date is all important, you need them to ensure the date of export remains the same.

You Know I think there totally mad!! I sent my export details on the 26.06.08 afer selling my car on ebay and it was paid cash then taken to France. I recieved the same letter today, ive recieved no reminders about the tax, no reminder of sorn, as was sorn before sale and now i get a fine If I would be been sent info on tax/offroad then it would of alerted me to the point that they think i still own it 11 months on.....maybe its the credit crunch and their desperate...im reply to their letter and will post in the morning, wish me luck and good luck to you

I don't want to know how it got out the country, but I think you should still check with the DVLA enquiries service that the vehicle IS showing on their records as being exported, as this makes the fine nonsensical.