FLEET managers have been reminded that they must keep documentation of cars about to be defleeted up to date or be fined after the car has been sold on.

Following the launch of continuous registration by the DVLA in January, keeping the V5 documentation has become imperative because, unless the DVLA is notified of the change of owner, the fleet will still be responsible for the taxation of the vehicle.

BCA's director customer affairs, Tom Madden, said: 'With the introduction of continuous registration on January 1, this year, following on from last year's changes in V5 procedures, there really is every incentive for company vehicle operators to provide the correct paperwork.

'Now, the company owner doesn't just run the risk of not attracting the best bids if the V5 is missing, but there is the chance of being fined if the subsequent owner fails to tax the vehicle.

'While the industry has largely tackled the issue of vehicles being offered without the V5, there are still operators sending vehicles to be sold without the necessary paperwork.'

Madden added: 'While there may be acceptable reasons for not producing the V5 in some cases, more often than not it is simply poor administration and planning – this really is inexcusable and is costing these vendors money in terms of reduced buyer interest, potentially longer holding costs and possibly the added burden of fines from the DVLA.'