Is it possible to get a refund on a tax disk after selling your car?

R.C.Anderson · 28 Dec 2013 at 21:32

I'm in the process of looking at a car to buy, the one I'm looking at at the moment is a private sale, so I was just wondering, if I go ahead with it, part with the cash, get the V5C signed etc, is there any way the seller could potentially get a refund on the road tax (and therefore the car not being taxed) if I leave with the tax disk?

Whilst looking at direct.gov.uk I noticed it's possible to get a refund for a lost disk. I would assume it's not possible to get the refund once the DVLA are aware it's now my car, but they wouldn't know any different if the V5C is yet to go in the post, and could they potentially just say the deal didn't include the current tax?

Is it easier to just assume there is no tax, and if I end up with a valid disc just feel happier?

shauncr91 · 28 Dec 2013 at 21:36

You have to send the disc back to get any refund. Afaik if you have the disc, you have the tax.

R.C.Anderson · 28 Dec 2013 at 21:52

https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-tax-disc-refund-form-v14 it says:

You’ll need to use form V33 if your tax disc has been lost, stolen or destroyed. You can get a form by contacting DVLA customer enquiries.

[TW]Fox · 28 Dec 2013 at 22:28

shauncr91 said:
You have to send the disc back to get any refund. Afaik if you have the disc, you have the tax.

Not true, you can get a refund without the disc and if you have sold the car. Sounds bonkers but its totally true.

shauncr91 · 28 Dec 2013 at 22:31

[TW]Fox;25560639 said:
Not true, you can get a refund without the disc and if you have sold the car. Sounds bonkers but its totally true.

Is this a recent thing? When I traded in my Focus about 2 years ago I remember the salesman mentioning that I should take the tax disc otherwise I wouldn't be able to claim it back :confused:

[TW]Fox · 28 Dec 2013 at 22:33

Yea, because car salesmen are never wrong right

R.C.Anderson · 28 Dec 2013 at 23:43

Well thanks for confirming that Fox, as you said, it's a bit stupid...

Is there any way I can prevent a refund if I have the disk? Or am I best just assuming the car has no tax?

The car I'm looking at expires at the end of this month, so it's possible it'll just be declared SORN (the pictures I have are on his drive, so it's off the road) until it's sold, but if I got it with 12 months road tax on it, it'll be a bonus

rodenal · 28 Dec 2013 at 23:52

I'm not sure why this is even a worry? Ask how much tax the car will be sold with, date receipt and have both parties sign - no issue.

If by some odd occurrence the seller decides to claim back the tax and you are lettered/ stopped then provide the dated receipt stating it is/ was not theirs to claim.

Highly unlikely anyone would try to claim back tax after the car was sold. Also unlikely he will tax it at his cost of it runs out this/ next month

MOOGLEYS · 29 Dec 2013 at 02:52

[TW]Fox;25560639 said:
Not true, you can get a refund without the disc and if you have sold the car. Sounds bonkers but its totally true.

Only if its lost, stolen or destroyed. You have to call DVLA and explain why you do not have the disc and they send you a V33 if they believe you.

Its a pain in the butt process to go through.

Richie · 29 Dec 2013 at 09:17

R.C.Anderson said:
The car I'm looking at expires at the end of this month

Wont matter then. You cannot refund part months of tax disc. If it is up at the end of this month then he cannot refund it.

theone8181 · 29 Dec 2013 at 10:19

What happens then when a tax disc is not needed like they are planning on bringing in?

thedazman67 · 29 Dec 2013 at 10:47

Happened to me got a used car from a dealer with the tax disc showing 6 months tax. A month after owning the car police pulled me over for no tax.

Luckily they let me on my way after I explained I'd just got the car.

R.C.Anderson · 29 Dec 2013 at 14:13

Richie said:
Wont matter then. You cannot refund part months of tax disc. If it is up at the end of this month then he cannot refund it.

It wasn't this month's I was concerned about, it was if he purchases a new disk.

-Mike- · 29 Dec 2013 at 21:34

R.C.Anderson said:
It wasn't this month's I was concerned about, it was if he purchases a new disk.

Why don't you purchase the new one, negotiate it in the price and be done?

R.C.Anderson · 29 Dec 2013 at 23:43

-Mike- said:
Why don't you purchase the new one, negotiate it in the price and be done?

Probably what I'll end up doing if I agree to buy before he buys a new one, but i would have thought he would already have done by now if he was going to.

rodenal · 29 Dec 2013 at 23:55

This is really a genuine concern?.....really?

If there is a new disc...ask are you selling it with the tax....write on receipt...

I'd be far more concerned about the state of the car than the relatively minimal tax issue

-Mike- · 30 Dec 2013 at 00:07

Can see it now :

The exchange..... frantically checks for tax disc........... doesn't realise seller has taken wheels off and put it on blocks

rodenal · 30 Dec 2013 at 00:08

Follows the op home and steals the spare out the boot

" I never specifically stated the wheels were included sir, have decided to refund them"

R.C.Anderson · 30 Dec 2013 at 00:28

Obviously I'm checking the condition of the car etc, I was just wondering if it was possible, so I don't automatically assume that I've got the tax if it's got the disk...