I have just bought a car that is untaxed and had it delivered home, i was told it was sorned. I've just checked the dvla site and it says it's unlicenced and not sorned! I don't really want to tax it yet as i need to do some work to it but because it has been transfered to the motor trade (me) if i sorn it the dvla site says the registered owner will get the sorn document. Do i need to tax it now or can i just sorn it? Because it's unlicensed will the dvla be knocking on my door for a fine?

Sorn it just to be sure.

You have to re-apply for the SORN as the new owner, the previous SORN does not transfer with ownership.

So you need to SORN it yourself.

Ok i can do that but because it has been transfered to the motor trade and then bought by me ( i don't want to put myself on the v5 as it only has 1 owner from new and i will be selling it on) they won't have any record of my address.

[Edited on 25/10/11 by Davegtst]

They will if you tell them.

as a trader your details don't appear on the V5 history. Declare it SORN at the PO with the V5 filled in with you as the trader, using the traders section of the V5.

What a load of crap the DLVA is. Tried to sorn it on the net and no joy says i must do it in the post office because it's register to the motor trade. Post office man says i must fill out a form and gave me the form to fill in. The form is only good if the v5 is in my name which it isn't. Rang the enquiries number only to be told they have a high number of calls atm then cut me off What do i have to do to stay on the right side of the law?

Just got through to the dvla and apparently if the vehicle is within the trade it doesn't have to be taxed or sorned at all. As long as it's not on the road unless it has trade plate it's fine as it is.