Is there anything we can do re DVLA fine?

[CuriousLadyBird]

Hi all,

Back in December we reserved a car at a local dealership you know one of those £100 fees so no one else could have it but then our funding fell through and I cancelled the deposit (which we didn't get back anyway even though they said we would but whatever) and told them we couldn't get the car.

For some reason though the dealership put all our details onto the car and when we received the v5c I contacted the dealership and they said they'd sort it but we've been fined £172 for non payment of tax and even though we have sent all the proof to the DVLA they are not accepting that we never bought the car and was not the registered keepers.

I've contacted the dealers but they aren't much help. I really don't know what to do. I suspect I'll need to just pay the fine but it seems unfair when I didn't own/buy the car so it wasn't my responsibility to tax it?

If they don't you can take them to the small claims court to recover the cost of the fine.

I realised I spelt fair wrong

It's annoying because I feel like I'm being reasonable about the solution and the dealership is being really awkward about it any is just ignoring me.

I strongly recommend you do NOT change the details until the dealer has agreed to pay the fine. This is your ONLY bargaining chip. You have the legal ownership and the dealer has the money from the person who paid them so if you transfer it all now you are left chasing the dealer. You could do this via small claims court potentially but I'd just go and see them in person not via WhatsApp and watch them pay the fine there and then and if they won't then you tell them you will write to the new owner and explain what's gone on and that you want YOUR car back!
The dealer is in a right mess here!

Thank you. I am going to the dealership later this week when baby's are in nursery so I can hopefully get something sorted.

Thank you for all your help

Go pick up your car, you are the legal owner.
he’ll make sure all the paperwork is in order before you leave if you demand the car or the transfer.

Frankly take the baby, ideally crying and that will speed them up. Refuse to leave until it's paid and then you are sorted. Just tell them you'll wait baby in tow until they've sorted. I've done this before, it's never a good look to be seen to be swindling a mum and baby. You can even explain to other customers why you are there. They'll sort it pdq!

I've just checked the website and it says a new logbook was issued 11th May 2023 so it looks like the new owner has changed it into his name which I'm guessing means I have to pay the fine now

Still go to Dealer and tell them you'll take them to the small claims court if they don't pay it.

I wonder how DVLA account for different fine amounts - as Ive been fined for a mistake on unpaid tax and the fine is £280!
Also I cannot speak to anyone at DVLA enforcement - not even an email address? Have you got an email address or contact number for them?

@RainingBows this is an old thread. You might get more replies if you start a new one.

I'd love to know if the OP ever got this resolved though.