DVLA antics

[vanquish spirit]

Can anyone help with a DVLA car registraion question please? I recently bought an old car which has not been taxed for a very long time. When I sent an enquiry to DVLA regarding past owners details. all I got back was chassis number, registration, engine number. Plus no details of ownership just a post code. So what it really odd, is that no details have turned up on previous owners names, just the car details and a post code. Anyone know how a car can be registered without owners details but just a postcode? Seems really odd. thx for any help

[Jalopnik]

Was this just a written enquiry or a proper request on form V888 which you would have paid for?

As the current registered keeper of a vehicle you can request information about the history of your vehicle and previous keepers. You would need to use the V888 form (current fee is £5.00 I think), full details here...

http://direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/Ad...

[vanquish spirit]

It was a pid enquiry. So what I got back was just the postcode. It seemed odd to me that there was not any ownership information though.

[lowdrag]

The crux of the matter is your point about "a very long time". How long is this piece of string? Does the car have a V5 and was it registered on the DVLA system at the changeover point in 1983? If not, and the car has been off the road longer than that, you'll need the help of a club official to get the car re-registered and to get the old number back. I recently had someone trying to do it himself and he ended up with loads of problems from the local licencing office. Once the club took up the matter all problems were quickly resolved. You don't say which make or model but a quick google will find the appropriate club and a subsequent email or call will get things moving. I'd imagine that once this is done the DVLA should be more forthcoming.

[vanquish spirit]

It was an old Daimler that was not registered since 1978. So I guess it does not have computerised records, however, they do have a postcode which is odd. Anyway, I am already doing the club authentication process which as you say may help. I just had never heard of a car having only postcode info regarding an owner not a name or address. All cars must have ownership information surely?

[Jalopnik]

vanquish spirit said:

All cars must have ownership information surely?

Prior to computerisation it seems that each authority had it's own method of recording details, some of which were more efficient than others. Also during computerisation there would have been numerous "user input errors" resulting in situations like yours.

[vanquish spirit]

I think you are correct. I will just have to try to get some more information using the internet. Thanks for the input though

[wildcat45]

Of my cars, two Have previous owners. Can I find out who they were, where the car lived etc.

I'd just like it for my records.