(Another) PCN question

[wuvvum]

I sold the blue Mondeo towards the beginning of this month (8th).  I had a PCN through for it last week - apparently the new owner overstayed in a Morrisons car park on the 17th.   

 

By the time I received the PCN I'd sent off the logbook, and I stupidly didn't keep any record of the buyer's address.  I have her name, but I can't find her in the phone book.  I never had a phone number for her, and I've deleted the emails (although they were via Gumtree anyway so probably not a lot of use).

 

I appealed the PCN (obvs), and they've now come back requesting a bill of sale (which I didn't do - schoolboy I know, but I was on my way out and in a hurry), full details of the new keeper (which I can't provide for reasons I've already stated) and the V05 (which I have no fucking clue what it is).

 

They've also said I'll need to contact the DVLA to provide written proof of the change of keeper details.  Will DVLA be able to release that information to me under the DPA?  I'm somewhat dubious.

 

I've not had a PCN before so I'm rather new to all this - although I do know that in light of the recent Court of Appeal judgment, they're unlikely to just go away if I ignore them - in fact they'll probably go the opposite way and get all gung-ho trying to bully people into paying - they'll probably ultimately be unsuccessful should it go to court, but I could really do without the hassle...

 

 

[dollywobbler]

Stall them until you get the confirmation of change of owner from DVLA. Then you can tell them that DVLA has the new owner's details and it's their problem. KTHANKSBAI. 

 

If you include that in your response, I'll buy you a Kitkat.

[Parky]

I can't see why DVLA can't confirm that you ceased to be the registered keeper on a particular day, but no doubt there will be some made up data protection/money laundering type bullshit reason why they won't. Unless you pay a fee of course.

 

The other risk is they might not have processed the change until AFTER the PCN was issued, in which case the evidence might suggest you were the owner at the time.

 

Give them a call tomorrow and see what's what, you might actually find they are able to help. Most of them there seem pretty good unless you are doing something weird like importing half a Tagora from Mauretania. And let's face it someone getting a speeding fine or PCN after selling a car isn't that unusual.

[dollywobbler]

I must admit, this is one reason I usually do make up some sort of receipt - mainly to confirm date AND time of transaction in case this sort of thing crops up. I always sneak a quick 'sold as soon' on there too. 

[wuvvum]

See that's the thing, I was a bit slow sending off the V5 so they probably wouldn't have got it until after the PCN was issued, and certainly wouldn't have processed the change of keeper before then.

 

Surely the date of signature on the V5 should hold some weight though?  DVLA are never going to get V5s instantly - what happens if the purchaser gets a speeding ticket on the way home from picking the car up?

[wuvvum]

I must admit, this is one reason I usually do make up some sort of receipt - mainly to confirm date AND time of transaction in case this sort of thing crops up. I always sneak a quick 'sold as soon' on there too. 

Yes, I usually do that too.  I didn't this time because fuckwit.  Typical that the one time I don't is the time there's a fugging problem.

[Pillock]

The owner change will be backdated - in my experience, you can backdate it by years if you need to. Whatever date you wrote in the boxes on the V5 when you posted it off will be the date that is logged as owner change when it comes through and you get the letter saying "Ta very much".

 

At which point, you just go to the parking people and tell them that the DVLA have been updated and they need to check again.

You don't have to write receipts for cars sold, and the V5 system doesn't enforce that you keep a copy of the new keepers details. Hindsight is bloody wonderful, but you've not done anything wrong.

 

I bet they get dozens of people a week claiming "OH NO I SOLD THAT CAR MATE" to get out of parking charges, the DVLA having the paperwork will be the proof you need.

[Alexg]

I thought a PCN (Parking Charge Notice) was basically a ridiculous attempt to extort money and not legally binding. Tell them you've sold the car and tell them to chase the DVLA themselves and, if they come at you again, to get stuffed.