Buying a SORN vehicle

Diddums · 11 Apr 2026 at 11:45

Picking up a bike today. It's got an MOT, the owner passed away so his son SORNed it.

Before I insure it, can I just tax it there & then? Or do I ride it home, wait for the V5 and then tax it?

Not keen on riding an illegal bike.

Cheers

Frozennova · 11 Apr 2026 at 12:07

Insure it first, then Tax it with the new keepers slip from the existing V5

Its fundamentally no different to something that isn’t SORN anymore as the tax is cancelled as it changes keepers, technically gives you a little grace until the DVLA receive the V5

Terminal_Boy · 11 Apr 2026 at 12:12

Diddums said:
Picking up a bike today. It's got an MOT, the owner passed away so his son SORNed it.

Before I insure it, can I just tax it there & then? Or do I ride it home, wait for the V5 and then tax it?

Not keen on riding an illegal bike.

Cheers

How do you feel about riding a possibly haunted bike?

Penfold101 · 11 Apr 2026 at 12:15

Terminal_Boy said:
How do you feel about riding a possibly haunted bike?

The Ghostrider.

Would not advise setting himself on fire though.

hornetstinger · 11 Apr 2026 at 12:19

Push it home, via Ben Nevis. With zip ties on the front and rear brake, in gear (whichever is hardest to push)

Diddums · 11 Apr 2026 at 19:56

Frozennova said:
Insure it first, then Tax it with the new keepers slip from the existing V5

Its fundamentally no different to something that isn’t SORN anymore as the tax is cancelled as it changes keepers, technically gives you a little grace until the DVLA receive the V5

Did exactly this, it's all taxed and insured. Thanks

Diddums · 11 Apr 2026 at 19:57

Terminal_Boy said:
How do you feel about riding a possibly haunted bike?

I think it'd be great, finally the voices in my head would have some company.

hornetstinger · 11 Apr 2026 at 19:59

Diddums said:
Did exactly this, it's all taxed and insured. Thanks

If you were a real man, you'd push a Honda Goldwing in peak summer temps, in leathers, up Ben Nevis.

Diddums · 11 Apr 2026 at 20:11

hornetstinger said:
If you were a real man, you'd push a Honda Goldwing in peak summer temps, in leathers, up Ben Nevis.

I prefer to ride a Taiwanese 125cc scooter in full race leathers and throw shade at people who had the balls to get their full licence

ADT · 12 Apr 2026 at 11:18

As others have said, tax and insure it before you ride it home and you'll be fine.