What To Do If You Inherit a Car | Saga Car Insurance

In this guide, we’ll cover:

How to notify the DVLA and what documents you’ll need
What happens to vehicle tax, including how to re-tax or declare SORN
Insurance, MOT, and taking over responsibility for the car.

Notifying the DVLA

You’ll need to inform the DVLA of the registered keeper’s death, which you can do using Tell Us Once. This service lets you report a death to most government organisations at once, but can only be used when there is a death certificate.

You must contact the DVLA whether you’re keeping or selling the vehicle. If you’re selling, you must let them know if you have a personalised number plate.

The Tell Us Once service isn’t available in all areas. If you can’t use it where you live, you should send the DVLA a letter to tell them the registered keeper has died, along with their driving licence if you have it.

Car documentation and registration

To make the process of letting the DVLA know about the death and change in ownership, get hold of the car’s V5C logbook. If you can’t find the V5C, you can fill in a V62 form, which is an application for a replacement.

Vehicle tax considerations

When someone passes away, the DVLA will automatically cancel any existing vehicle tax once the death is registered. A refund will be issued, and the car will become untaxed.

If you’re planning to keep the vehicle, you’ll need to re-tax it in your name using the 16-digit reference number found on the V5C registration certificate. To do this, you must be the registered keeper, which means you’ll need to either take ownership of the car or have a financial interest in it.

If you inherit a car but don’t plan to drive it straight away, you should let the DVLA know by declaring it as SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification). This means the car won’t need to be taxed or insured while it’s off the road. Again, you’ll need to transfer the registration into your name before you can do this.

Car insurance and MOT implications

When someone dies, it’s a good idea to speak with their car insurance provider. They’ll be able to explain their specific process and help you understand what steps to take next.

If you plan to drive the car you’ve inherited, you’ll need to arrange your own insurance cover. You can only take out a policy if you have a financial interest in the vehicle, for example, if you’re taking ownership.

As for the MOT, it remains valid even after the car changes hands. However, the vehicle must still be roadworthy, and it’s now your responsibility to make sure it has a valid MOT. Check the vehicle’s MOT status – if it’s expired, you’ll need to book a new one. Don’t forget to let the DVLA know about the change in ownership.

If you have had a bereavement and need to update a Saga Insurance policy that belonged to a loved one, you can contact our specialist bereavement team.