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

We can sell the car, but requirements are more complex because 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 to fulfil one of the following 3 criteria:

1. You can provide a letter from a solicitor, confirming your entitlement

• 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

2. You are the married spouse of the deceased:

We can 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

3. The deceased was not married, and you are the next entitled party under intestate

We understand if you can't get a solicitor’s letter and the deceased did not leave a living spouse. If this is the case, you can determine who is entitled using the government intestate checker. 

These sales are more complex, our team will need to have a chat with you to determine if you can sell, and what documents are required. We can usually help, but we'll need more detail about your specific circumstances. 

To speak with us about this, please contact the relevant team for the stage of your enquiry: 

If you have yet to profile your vehicle or accept an offer you have received, please give our Sales Team a call on 02039666449 and ask to speak with a Bereavement Specialist. 

If you have already received and accepted an offer after the vehicle was entered in one of our daily sales, please contact our Sales Support Team on 02039883388 and ask to speak with a Bereavement Specialist.