Bereavement cars and probate is a confusing process, particularly after the loss of a loved one. Selling a deceased person’s car is not the only way of disposing a car responsibly. Read here to see how Giveacar can arrange a quick and free collection of bereavement cars.
Raise money for a charity your loved one supported. Their old car can be auctioned or scrapped by Giveacar’s ATF and auction partners to help individuals the charity supports.
Many of our donations come from people who have recently lost a loved one and then returned home to find that person’s car in the drive. Some people want the vehicle gone as soon as possible and have no preference for its destination. The majority of our donors, though, have a real connection to these vehicles that have been a part of someone’s life – they ask that the proceeds go to a specific cause. Whatever the reason, Giveacar is here to help.
What to Do With a Legacy Car?
A motor vehicle is a mobile personal good, therefore making it a chattel. You do not have to wait until a grant of probate or letters of administration that have been issued in order to transfer a car to a new owner or seller.
Donate the deceased’s vehicle to a charity they cared for. With Giveacar, your bereavement car can be donated to any UK registered charity meaning there is always a cause it can help.
Informing the DVLA
If you have recently had a bereavement, you should notify the DVLA as soon as possible. We suggest that you send them the owner’s driving licence along with Section 9 filled out and with a cover letter detailing the following:
- Name
- Address
- Date of Birth
- Your relation to the person who died
- The date they died
It’s important that Section 9 is completed otherwise legal responsibility for the vehicle won’t be transferred at the point of collection.
For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/tell-dvla-about-bereavement/keeping-the-vehicle.
What Happens to the Car?
Giveacar are the car donation experts, therefore ensuring your bereavement vehicle’s value is maximised for the chosen charity.
Depending on the vehicle’s condition, age and millage we’ll either auction or recycle it. If recycled you can request a Certificate of Destruction provided to us by our partnered Authorised Treatment Facilities.
So as you can now see, selling a deceased person’s car isn’t the only means of appropriate disposal. Deciding what to do with the deceased car can be extremely difficult, however, this decision is made easier knowing their car is helping a charity they supported.