Tax on new car

davidm25

Hi all

A few (obviously!) newbie questions about tax when buying a car

1. I'm hoping to change the car at the start of next month (Mon March 2nd or Tue 3rd). The tax is due on my own car at the end of Feb. If I don't get the paperwork sorted with the dealer before then, is the tax for March-May on my head or does it go with the car to the new owner?

2. When I DO get my new car, how long does it usually take for the transfer of ownership to go through? The new one isn't currently taxed (expired at end of Jan 2015) and my understanding is that I can't actually tax it until the change of ownership goes through. Does this mean I can't drive it until then, or can I safely drive it and just tax it as soon as the change is finalised?

Thanks for help,
D

MuppetCheck

Don't worry about the lack of tax on your own car. It's gone - you got away with it.

Change of ownership can take a week or two, just get a receipt for the new car from the garage. Some will give you a printed slip to put in the tax disc spot. If you show you've only just bought it you'll be fine. Tax it once the change of ownership has gone through.

davidm25

Many thanks, MuppetCheck