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Bereavement

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Original poster

Selling car after death

23 replies

SoSoScared · 16/02/2024 07:14

I think I’m using practicalities as a distraction, but feel the need to get things sorted so I know where I’m at, but I’m overwhelmed at all the admin.

DH died, he has two low value vehicles. No will but it’s only £1,500 and maybe £1,00 for them so I’ve read probate not needed…or is it?

How to I sell them? The V5 is swimming with words and I can’t pick out a bit that says ‘sign here if owner has died’. Can anyone really simplify the process for my horribly frazzled brain please? Do I have to apply for probate or can I just sell? I’m just in a constant state of panic not knowing what I should be doing atm.
Tia

OP posts:
olderbutwiser · 16/02/2024 07:23

You should be giving yourself a break, allowing yourself to grieve, maybe getting some bereavement counselling.

Do the cars need to be sold right now?

CMOTDibbler · 16/02/2024 07:32

I'm so very sorry for the loss of your dh.
Selling the cars is thankfully very easy as you have the logbook - you just sell the car, and then send the V5 to the sensitive casework team at the DVLA with their required information which is here. No probate needed

Telling DVLA after someone dies

What you need to tell DVLA and how to deal with vehicle tax if someone who was a driver has died

https://www.gov.uk/tell-dvla-about-bereavement/selling-the-vehicle

Woman2023 · 16/02/2024 07:38

Here's a guide how to do it.

https://www.carwow.co.uk/sell-my-car/guides/selling-a-deceased-persons-car

Sorry for your loss, I understand the need to keep busy.

Original poster
SoSoScared · 16/02/2024 10:16

older at this stage I’m desperately trying to see how long I’m going to be able to pay the mortgage for, because having to sell up quickly, on top of DH’s death, would be very painful.

CMOT thank you. I had googled but hadn’t managed to get that up, no clue what I was doing wrong, thanks.

Woman thank you, I think it’s helping to distract me …for now. Thanks for the link.

OP posts:
Mischance · 16/02/2024 10:19

https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/organisations-you-need-to-contact-and-tell-us-once

There is a Tell Us Once service you can join which lets every relevant agency know about a death. It is run by the government and was very helpful when my OH died.

I am sorry for your loss.

What to do after someone dies

The steps you must take when someone dies - register a death, report a death with Tell Us Once, coroners, funerals and death abroad.

https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/organisations-you-need-to-contact-and-tell-us-once

Original poster
SoSoScared · 16/02/2024 14:35

Thank you Mischance
I have used that service, I just went on to see if I could buy 3 months online tax for it, in case I have to drive it somewhere to sell, but they haven’t yet updated the disabled tax element on his car which the service said it would. maybe I just need to slow down a bit, although then the reality kicks in.

OP posts:
Original poster
SoSoScared · 16/02/2024 15:11

Thank you cookerhood

OP posts:
determinedtomakethiswork · 16/02/2024 15:23

I am so sorry you lost your husband. It must be incredibly painful for you.

Did he have any kind of insurance scheme through his work or the mortgage?

MrsMoastyToasty · 16/02/2024 15:33

@SoSoScared I'm sorry to read about your loss.

Did you and your DH have life cover for the mortgage?

Original poster
SoSoScared · 16/02/2024 16:32

thank you both.

He had ongoing health issues that meant life insurance would only cover him for 10 years, he life limiting conditions. He was never expected to live this long but our mortgage has always been cheaper than renting so it was worth buying. He has a very small private pension that will pay out. I think I may be able to manage for around 9/10 months, so I do have some breathing space. Quite how things will look after that I don’t know.
The house next door for us is up for rent at double the cost of our mortgage!

OP posts:
pickledandpuzzled · 16/02/2024 16:41

I’m so sorry for your loss. One day at a time.

Original poster
SoSoScared · 16/02/2024 16:45

Thank you pickled

OP posts:
Birdsworth · 16/02/2024 17:10

I'm sorry about your husband.

I just wanted to say that if you do sell them don't sell them locally. My mum made this mistake and then she was upset every time she saw the car. Echo h wasn't all that often but occasionally. She found it very distressing.

Stanislas · 16/02/2024 17:58

My car was always serviced by the same garage. They said if I wanted to sell they knew somebody and were very helpful. If you have a local garage like that it might be a speedy way of doing things.
So sorry for your loss.

Original poster
SoSoScared · 17/02/2024 05:51

birdsworth thank you. That is something I hadn’t considered, that would be distressing.

stanislas We did always use the same one, I will give them a ring. Thank you.

OP posts:
pastypirate · 17/02/2024 21:14

Op I've just done exactly this and it was shit. However I did learn yog don't need to wait for probate as a car is called a 'chattel' so if a dealer starts banging on about probate call a different one they don't know what they are doing.

I sold through car wow they did know the score and it was easy.

Original poster
SoSoScared · 17/02/2024 22:21

Thank you pasty sorry you are also in the same situation.

OP posts:
TruckerMother · 17/02/2024 22:24

Hi Just wanted to say im so sorry for your loss. I had the same query regards my late partners car but had to sell it to contribute towards the funeral. It was pretty east through DVLA they will help xx

Original poster
SoSoScared · 17/02/2024 22:28

Thank you trucker sorry you have also been through this. I did try to call but seems they were very busy but I will keep trying on Monday.

OP posts:
Mysa74 · 18/02/2024 00:31

Sorry for your loss OP... It's probably wise to sell the car quickly, when dad died his insurance policy immediately became invalid even though mum was a named driver. I'm not sure if all policies are the same though?

Original poster
SoSoScared · 18/02/2024 07:56

Thank you Mysa, I checked in case I needed to drive it somewhere to be sold. the policy was due for renewal the end of next month but they have said I am legal to drive it until then. I questioned it twice and she assured me calls are recorded if I am stopped by the police.

OP posts:
Mysa74 · 24/02/2024 09:49

That's good to know, you've obviously got enough to worry about. Take care of yourself xx

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