Not taxed not sorn. Red flag

[Wizard1992]

Hi all

I am (was) due to look at a car this weekend, struggling to find the car with the spec and engine size I wanted within budget.

Found the car being sold via a private seller, the car has no road tax and it hasn't been sorn, aswell as this the last v5 was issued 5 months ago and now the owner is selling it ? The car is a good few hours away and when I questioned the seller he mumbled something about family (in fairness not sure English was his first language)

I've already told myself that there's red flags but before I pull out completely is there a reasonable explanation for this? Im struggling to think of one.

Thanks

[Pica-Pica]

If it’s neither taxed nor SORN’D, it may be you who will end up with the hassle of re-taxing it, rather the current owner/registered keeper.

[Davie]

If English isn't their first language, possibly a simple misunderstanding of the process? Though there will be plenty who have English as their first language who also don't understand the process.

I'd be more concerned about who is the owner / keeper and if the V5C matches etc..

[sandman77]

Pica-Pica said:

If it’s neither taxed nor SORN’D, it may be you who will end up with the hassle of re-taxing it, rather the current owner/registered keeper.

It would be the buyer who is responsible for re-taxing a car regardless of its current tax status. Any tax on a vehicle when a car is sold is cancelled and any full months remaining are refunded to the seller.

[sixor8]

If a check shows a car untaxed on a date other than the last day of the month, it has been taken into 'trade.'

No new owner would be responsible for any 'back tax' which happens in other countries, but you'd have to tax it from the day you become the keeper. Do they have the full V5c?