What to do if there is no will, and you don't have a grant of administration yet

We can sell the car, but only in certain circumstances. Requirements are stricter here because determining the correct surviving relative is difficult.

Inheritance in these circumstances is determined by ‘intestacy’ laws, based on an order of the surviving relatives of the deceased.

To sell the vehicle in these circumstances, you need:

• A signed letter of authority from a solicitor, confirming
  • The car forms part of the estate
  • You (named) have the right to the estate, or to sell on its behalf 
  • Where funds should be paid to
• Your own photo ID such as a passport or driving licence, matching the person named in the solicitor’s letter

If you can’t get a solicitor’s letter:

We understand if you can't get a solicitor’s letter.

In these circumstances, we can only accept a sale by or on behalf of a married spouse of the deceased. 

This is because, under intestacy laws, they are the first and ultimate beneficiary, superseding all others up to a certain estate value. This means that we do not require a solicitor to confirm there are no surviving relatives with a counterclaim.

If you are a married spouse (widow/widower) of the deceased, you need:

• A copy of your marriage certificate
• A copy of the death certificate
• Your own photo ID such as a passport or driving licence, matching the marriage certificate

If you are selling on behalf of the married spouse, you also need: 

• A signed letter of authority from the married spouse, confirming
  • The car forms part of the estate
  • You (named) have the right to sell on behalf of the estate
  • Where funds should be paid to
• Your own photo ID such as a passport or driving licence

If you can’t provide any of the above information, we can’t continue.