Debt Collectors Pursued Me for a Car I Had Already Traded In

A 75-year-old man from Washingborough, Lincoln, has been pursued for unpaid parking charges for a vehicle he no longer owns, highlighting the importance of correctly notifying the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) when part-exchanging a car.

The Unexpected Parking Fines

John Morgan traded in his vehicle at Just Audi VW in Lincoln on 6 December 2022. However, months later, in June and July 2023, he was shocked to receive parking charge notices from Euro Car Parks (ECP) for unpaid fees at a car park in Wigan – a location he had never visited.

The issue arose because the DVLA had not been notified about the change of ownership. This made Mr Morgan legally liable for any fines or charges incurred until the new owner was officially registered.

The DVLA’s Position on Ownership Transfers

The DVLA states that it is the registered keeper’s legal responsibility to notify them when a vehicle is sold or transferred. While car dealerships may assist in this process, the ultimate responsibility lies with the previous owner.

In Mr Morgan’s case, Just Audi VW confirmed that the car was sold at auction on 19 December 2022. However, a critical opportunity to register a new owner was missed, leaving the car legally tied to Mr Morgan’s name for several more months.

The Dealership’s Response

A spokesperson for Just Audi VW explained:

“We sometimes assist in notifying the DVLA when a vehicle is sold or traded. When we were made aware of the parking charges, we discovered that the DVLA had not been notified of the change of ownership.”

The dealership acknowledged that there was a shortcoming in their internal process and stated that they have since strengthened their procedures to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

To assist Mr Morgan, the dealership appealed the charges with ECP and successfully retrieved the necessary documentation to backdate the ownership change with the DVLA.

Escalation to Debt Collectors

Despite these efforts, Mr Morgan’s ordeal did not end there. In September 2023, the DVLA updated its records to reflect the part-exchange from December 2022. However, nearly a year after trading in the car, Mr Morgan was contacted by Direct Collection Bailiffs Ltd (DCB), demanding a payment of £310.

This unexpected demand left him feeling distressed and anxious, fearing that bailiffs might turn up at his door.

“They’re demanding money for something I didn’t own,” Mr Morgan said. “I’ve never been to Wigan in my life.”

After the BBC contacted DCB for comment, Mr Morgan received confirmation that the debt collection case had been handed back to ECP, offering him some relief.

A Stressful Ordeal

The experience has taken a toll on Mr Morgan, who explained that while he tries to stay positive during the day, the stress weighs on him at night:

“The issue has taken over my life. I told Euro Car Parks that I don’t own the car, but they just don’t want to listen to what I’m saying.”

He added:

“I’ve had parking tickets before and I’ve paid them. But I just cannot pay this. I think it’s wrong. It’s just not right what they’re doing. They cannot demand money off people for something they haven’t done.”

Key Takeaways for Car Owners

Mr Morgan’s case serves as a cautionary tale for anyone trading in or selling a vehicle. To avoid similar issues, car owners should:

1. Personally notify the DVLA of any change in vehicle ownership, even if a dealership claims to handle it.
2. Retain proof of sale or part-exchange to protect against future liability.
3. Check with the DVLA a few weeks after selling a vehicle to ensure the records have been updated.
4. Act quickly if unexpected fines arrive, contacting the DVLA and relevant authorities to dispute incorrect charges.