We want to help get cars back on the road. Here’s a simple guide to SORN, why so many classics remain unused, and what it means for buying, selling and returning a vehicle to the road.
SORN stands for Statutory Off Road Notification.
It is the process of telling the DVLA that a vehicle is not being used or kept on a public road. Once a car is registered as SORN, it cannot be driven or parked on any public highway and must be kept on private land such as a garage or driveway. Registering SORN means you do not need to pay vehicle tax while the car remains off the road.
There are many reasons owners declare their cars SORN.
Some vehicles are stored while awaiting restoration or repair. Others are kept off the road during winter or used only seasonally. Some owners SORN their cars to save money on tax and running costs, while others want to protect older vehicles from wear, theft or poor road conditions.
Classic Minis are among the most commonly SORN vehicles, with around 50,000 in the UK.
It is common to buy or sell classic cars while they are SORN, particularly restoration projects or vehicles that have been stored for years.
The SORN does not transfer to a new owner, so the buyer must keep the car on private land or arrange tax before driving. If the car has been off the road for a long time, arranging an MOT before regular use is recommended, even if the vehicle is old enough to be exempt.
To return a SORN vehicle to the road, it needs to be taxed and made roadworthy.
A car can be driven to a pre-booked MOT test as long as it is insured. Once these steps are complete, it can be used normally on public roads.
Many classic owners keep their vehicles SORN for practical or personal reasons.
Work and life commitments, concerns about comfort, fuel consumption, maintenance, theft or mechanical reliability often make storing the car a better option. This is particularly true for classic Minis and other rare vehicles that require extra care.
If you own a classic car that's off the road but in good condition, and are considering selling it, we can provide guidance.
We regularly purchases vehicles that have been stored immaculately stored for years.
Contact Phil for advice or to discuss selling your SORN car.
We purchased our dream classic Mini from Phil and could not be happier. We imported it to the US and he made the UK side of things as smooth as possible. He was very helpful and answered all of our questions. We are thrilled with the car and would recommend Phil highly if you're looking for a high quality mini.
I have just sold my 2001 Rover Mini Cooper Sport to Phil Mires. During the process, I have been impressed with the professional attitude and genuine support received. I was very impressed by his knowledge and vision. First class methodology and extremely prompt payment make this endorsement easy to write. I wish him every success for the future.
From start to finish Phil was an absolute pleasure to deal with. Knowledgeable, professional and kind. I absolutely adore my new (but old!) Mini Cooper. She's a beauty! Would definitely recommend and if I'm in the market for a classic again, Phil Mires Classic Cars would be my first port of call.
We are actively seeking classic Minis in excellent condition, ideally with low mileage and a detailed history, especially models such as the Cooper...
View detailsAs featured in MiniWorld Magazine. In 1997, John Cooper Garages launched two new exciting iterations of the iconic Mini Cooper S: the Cooper S Tour...
View detailsA unique opportunity to purchase a MiniWorld Magazine feature car specially converted by John Cooper Garages. This Mini was supplied to Link House ...
View detailsFirst registered on 29th September 1989. 84,000 miles from new. Driven a mere 5,000 miles in the past 15 years. A collector-quality example. Meticu...
View details
