What happens if I sold my car before the PCN?
Last updated: June 2025 · 8 min read
If you sold your car before the parking charge was incurred, you are neither the driver nor the registered keeper at the time of the alleged contravention. You should not be liable for the charge. However, you may need to provide evidence that the vehicle was sold before the date in question.
- --If you sold the car before the date on the PCN, you are not liable
- --DVLA records should reflect the change of keeper
- --Keep your V5C/2 new keeper supplement as proof
- --The parking company may have relied on outdated DVLA records
Key Takeaways
- You cannot be held liable for a parking charge incurred after you sold the vehicle.
- The parking company relies on DVLA keeper records, which may not be updated immediately.
- Your V5C/2 (new keeper supplement) is key evidence of the date of sale.
- Write to the parking company with proof of sale and request they remove you from the claim.
- If a court claim is filed, your proof of sale is a complete defence.
What Applies to You
If you notified the DVLA of the sale promptly
DVLA records should show you were not the keeper on the date of the charge.
Write to the parking company with your V5C/2 and date of sale.
Low urgencyIf you did not notify the DVLA before the PCN was issued
DVLA records may still show you as the keeper. The parking company relied on these records.
Provide any other evidence of sale: bill of sale, bank transfer records, insurance cancellation.
Act soonIf a court claim has been filed against you
You need to file a defence stating you were not the keeper at the time of the contravention.
File a defence with evidence of the sale date. The claim should fail.
UrgentHow to Prove You Sold the Vehicle
The strongest evidence is the V5C/2 new keeper supplement, which records the date of sale and the new keeper's details. Other supporting evidence includes a bill of sale, bank transfer records showing payment, insurance cancellation confirmation, and any correspondence with the buyer. If you used a dealer, the dealership records can also confirm the sale date.
Why DVLA Records May Be Wrong
There is often a delay between selling a vehicle and the DVLA updating its records. This gap means a parking company conducting a keeper enquiry may receive your details even though you no longer own the vehicle. This is a known issue and does not create liability. The relevant date is the date of the alleged contravention, not the date the DVLA updated its records.
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Answer the QuestionnaireHow to Respond to the Parking Company
Write to the parking company stating that you sold the vehicle before the date of the alleged contravention. Include a copy of the V5C/2 or other evidence of sale. Request that they remove you from the claim and pursue the current keeper instead. Most parking companies will close the matter once they receive satisfactory proof of sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I lost my V5C/2 new keeper supplement?
You can request confirmation from the DVLA of when the change of keeper was recorded. Bank statements showing the sale payment, insurance cancellation documents, and any written agreement with the buyer can also serve as evidence.
Can the parking company still chase me?
If you provide clear evidence that you sold the vehicle before the contravention, the parking company should stop pursuing you. If they continue, this evidence would constitute a complete defence in court.
What if I part-exchanged the vehicle?
A part-exchange at a dealership is still a sale. The dealership's records will show the date of the transaction. Request a letter from the dealer confirming the date if needed.
Does it matter if I did not notify the DVLA immediately?
The DVLA recommends notifying of a change of keeper immediately, but a delay in notification does not make you liable for charges incurred after the sale. The sale itself transfers responsibility, not the DVLA notification.
What if the buyer incurred the charge during a test drive before the sale?
If the charge was incurred during a test drive while you were still the registered keeper, you may have keeper liability under POFA 2012 if the correct notices were served. However, the driver (the prospective buyer) is primarily liable.
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Our defence documents are grounded in the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, the Consumer Rights Act 2015, and the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims. Customers have used these arguments to get charges dropped and claims discontinued.
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FightMyPCN is a document preparation service, not a law firm. The information on this page is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Each case is different and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. If you are unsure about your position, consider seeking independent legal advice.