MOT Reminder - Oddity on .Gov Database

[cj10jeeper]

Ever wondered about a car you sell or might sell in the future? What reg. is it 's now on?
Here’s something very odd I discovered by chance.

If you open a DVLA account and add your cars, which is something covered on the forum before, you can get MOT reminders (www.gov.uk/dvla/account).

The quirk on the .gov account is even after you sell the car and even if it's moved onto on a new private plate you still get the MOT reminders if you haven’t deleted the car from your account.
I know as I traded in an Evoque just over a year ago, took my plate off and put it on another car, but started to get reminders last month for a reg number which I didn’t recognise. Turns out was the Evoque on a new private plate.

Quick bit of Googling of the new reg and I could soon find the car, where it was sold, full MOT history, etc. given I of course knew the VIN number too.

Also made me realise I should ‘claim’ cars I’ve purchased for privacy...

 

[Purplecat]

Hmm that makes me wonder - I opened a DVLA account a couple of weeks ago, I have 2 cars that I tried to add the first one added without a problem but when I tried to add the F-Type it said details didn't match V5, which they do as they are the same address details as my other car. Maybe its still attached to somebody else's account. I did phone DVLA but they tried to pass me to another department and after 30 minutes waiting I gave up. Will try again though!

 

[Moss]

Donning my sceptical cap - I do wonder about the logic behind this service?
Who benefits, and how?
First thoughts which come to my mind are that people will register, and submit their details, then forget about it all after a few months; the net result being there’s numerous “dead-end” bits of data? All nicely waiting to be hacked by some unscrupulous?

Assuming it has cost some government department to develop and launch the service - what use is it to them when only partly populated with out-of-date, data?

 

[cj10jeeper]

Donning my sceptical cap - I do wonder about the logic behind this service?
Who benefits, and how?
First thoughts which come to my mind are that people will register, and submit their details, then forget about it all after a few months; the net result being there’s numerous “dead-end” bits of data? All nicely waiting to be hacked by some unscrupulous?

Assuming it has cost some government department to develop and launch the service - what use is it to them when only partly populated with out-of-date, data?

I’m of a different opinion in that the government is trying to drag itself into the online world. This is a new service and developing, but is much wider than just MOT reminders. Renewing driving licences, view points (if any), categories to drive, tax reminders online, etc. Anyone who’s tried to call DVLA will love doing things online. If it develops like self-assessment, pensions and other online services it will be great.
To your point if it’s just to store out of date ownership records then it will likely wither away..
Time will tell.

 

[scm]

Since the DVLA is notified of change of ownership it shouldn't be beyond the wit of their developers to remove the car from the old owner and add it to the new one, assuming they each have accounts.

 

[Purplecat]

Well I spoke to DVLA today and apparently the reason I couldn't add it to my account was because they said it was down on their system as "disposed of" presumably by previous owner, but wasn't in my name - despite the fact I have had a V5C in my name for almost 2 years and have taxed it. Thinking back when I last taxed it I had to do it at the post office because it wouldn't let me do it online, probably because of this issue. Anyway they say they may send me a new V5C. I suspect the mix up is down to the garage not informing them of the sale - but then how did I receive a V5C in my name, doesn't make a lot of sense.

 

[cj10jeeper]

Well I spoke to DVLA today and apparently the reason I couldn't add it to my account was because they said it was down on their system as "disposed of" presumably by previous owner, but wasn't in my name - despite the fact I have had a V5C in my name for almost 2 years and have taxed it. Thinking back when I last taxed it I had to do it at the post office because it wouldn't let me do it online, probably because of this issue. Anyway they say they may send me a new V5C. I suspect the mix up is down to the garage not informing them of the sale - but then how did I receive a V5C in my name, doesn't make a lot of sense.

A bit messy. Sounds like the seller ticked a wrong now on the paperwork to the DVLA
I’m sure it will resolve soon now you’ve spoken to them.