Dealing with a relative's car after a death

Sorting out a loved one's car is one more task at a hard time. Here's what needs doing, and what can wait.

Checked against GOV.UK guidance · Updated 25 October 2026

The first few days

• Don't drive it unless you're sure you're insured. The deceased's policy usually doesn't cover other drivers after their death. Contact the insurer.
• Keep it off the road if possible: on the drive or in the garage.
• Find the paperwork: V5C log book, insurance documents, tax reminders and finance agreements.

Tax and SORN

Vehicle tax isn't transferred to anyone. If the car is going to sit while the estate is sorted:

1. Make a SORN so it doesn't become untaxed with no SORN. Because the car isn't registered to you, the online service may not work. Use form V890 by post with a covering letter explaining you're the executor or next of kin (SORN by post).
2. Any refund of remaining tax is generally issued in the keeper's name. Contact DVLA about how it should be paid to the estate.
3. Once it's SORN, the insurance can be cancelled or reduced. Speak to the insurer first.

Telling DVLA

Most families use the Tell Us Once service, offered when a death is registered, which passes the news to several government departments, DVLA included. You still need to decide what happens to the vehicle, and tell DVLA when it's sold, transferred to a family member or scrapped. If you're unsure what DVLA needs from you as executor, call DVLA Vehicle Enquiries on 0300 790 6802 (contact numbers) or see GOV.UK's what to do after a death.

Keeping the car

If a family member is keeping it, fill in the new keeper section of the V5C and send it to DVLA. Once it's in their name, they can tax it (with an MOT and insurance) or keep it SORN.

Selling or scrapping

• Selling: the executor tells DVLA about the sale (selling a SORN car). A full MOT history check helps set a fair price and answer buyers' questions.
• Scrapping: use an authorised treatment facility and get a certificate of destruction (scrapping).

Finance and motability

Check whether the car is on finance or lease, or was a Motability vehicle. These usually need to be returned or settled and have their own processes.