I've just bought a Cat C car, as such I have a receipt from the the salvage company but no V5c.
I don't intend on putting it back on the road (if that makes any difference).
Do I need to declare SORN? If so how as you need the V5c reference number according the the DVLA's website?

Really hope I don't need to ring them up and play the 20 different answers game!

Just found it, I'll need to fill in a V890 and find a stamp.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@motor/documents/digitalasset/dg_065269.pdf

But again it looks like they want a v5c, I predict it won't go smoothly

ETA: Amazingly the V62 (has a section for exactly this circumstance and there's even no fee


[Edited on 18/4/12 by iank]

I don't think you can declare SORN unless you are the registered keeper & if you don't have the V5, you can't register as the vehicles keeper.
Being a cat C insurance loss, you won't be able to get a replacement V5 unless the vehicle has passed a VIC check.

Talk about a rock & a hard place, that's DVLA for you.

I had a issue a few years back, SORN declaration lost in the post ( So DVLA say )
This resulted in a fixed penalaty notice being issued, this was later quashed once I sent them proof that it had been posted.


I had a fair few vehicles here at the time, all unlicenced projects.

To cover my ass I sent a recorded letter to DVLA.
This listed the full details of all unlicensed being kept at my address & stated that I wished to declare SORN on them if it was required.

I received a letter back from DVLA & they stated the following.

2 tax exempt Triumph Vitesse's being kept were exempt from SORN ( Due to the date they were last licensed )

They could not accept SORN on the 2 cat C cars because I was not the registered keeper ( They did send me details of the VIC process )

The information received from DVLA may or may not have been correct but at least my ass was covered as I was in receipt of concrete proof that I had at least tried to comply with the Law on SORN

Re-reading the forms I suspect you're correct. Have done the same, polite letter with a request for guidance (sent recorded delivery) along with a V62 and V890 filled in just to avoid any chance of a fine. Since it's the DVLA I have no idea what I'll see out of them now.

I'll report back if/when I get a reply.

Got my answer back from the DVLA today.

Updated records to show me as registered keeper, but can't have a V5c and therefore no SORN or Tax reminders. Also got a VIC application form.
So close but not exactly the same as bonzoronnie.

Will keep the letters, but it isn't going to get an MOT or a VIC check pass now Guess I'm on for a Q plate and a 'discussion' about how it was scrapped.

Amusingly I got a SORN confirmation yesterday... curious as it's not supposed to be possible without a V5c