Your reader who was recently found liable for the fines of the driver of his previous car, even though he had written to the DVLA advising them of the sale, might find it useful to try the DVLA's website next time. By using the email connection I was able to notify them of the date of the sale of our last car, and to tell them that we had yet to receive an acknowledgement from them confirming receipt of the relevant part of the registration document. An automated reply comes back almost immediately confirming receipt of my email, saying they will look into the matter within three days. There is then no way the DVLA can say it had not been notified of the sale. Job done, I think?