What does SORN mean?
SORN stands for Statutory Off-Road Notification. It declares to the DVLA that your car is not in use or parked on public roads, but that it is parked on a driveway, garaged or parked on private land instead.
Why would you SORN a vehicle?
There are many reasons to SORN a vehicle and declaring it off the road. Such as:
- If your have purchased a new car that you won't be driving just yet
- There is a lot of work being carried out on your vehicle
- You only used your vehicle seasonally, such as during the summer and it is parked away for the winter
- You intend to scrap your car
- It makes more economical sense if you are aware that your vehicle will be unused for a prolonged period of time
Does a SORN car need an MOT?
If you are not driving the vehicle, you do not need an MOT. Regardless of SORN, if your car still has a valid MOT certificate, it will remain valid until the end of the MOT period. Before you intend to drive your vehicle and get it back on the road, you will need to ensure that your car has a valid and recent MOT certificate.
Does a SORN car need to pay car tax?
If your vehicle has been declared SORN, you will not have to pay road tax. If you have already paid car tax for the period, you will automatically receive a refund for any full month's tax that is left. You will need to ensure that your car's road tax is up-to-date before you intend to start driving it again.
Will SORN affect my insurance?
Though it is not required by law, you may still want to keep your SORN car insured. This is to cover any accidental damage that my occur, such as adverse weather damage or theft. If you cancel you insurance policy during this time, your vehicle will not be covered for these. Your insurer may also charge a cancellation fee, which will be dependent on how long is left on your current policy. If you had a claim on your policy, you may also not be entitled for a refund.
If your vehicle is SORN or you are looking to SORN your vehicle but intend on putting it back on the road further down the line, you should aim to keep it in good condition. Follow our car maintenance at home guide on how best to achieve this or contact our helpful team to learn more information about our products and services today.
Posted on: 16/03/2023
