Sold car with no record of purchaser

Sold car with no record of purchaser!!!

Advice please all: (all happens in England...)

My Father-in-law was selling his car, advertising it at the side of the road on his drive with a sign in the window of the car. A pbutting man buys the Car-in-question & father-in-law not being used to these things and a trusting soul, parts with the car in return for ££££cash but with no record of the name and address of the purchaser. Car had 5 months tax left. (Yes, I know, I agree.. ).

(Btw mother-in-law ill at the time, operations, etc, he was also ill, daughter going to court over industrial injury etc. etc.. M-in-L also disabled making life harder, both F-in-L & M-in-L pensioners,,, ) 'twill probably happen to me in 30 years time..if we are still allowed to own & drive cars,.

Now, you know what comes next: F-in-L receives note from the Police for car-in-question driving in a 'bus lane in North London.

What steps would the buttembled posting company suggest to minimize liability & bills etc????

It seems to me that he has-had a legal contract with the purchaser (verbal), but has little evidence to support that buttertion. He has, however, been able to prove he cancelled his insurance on the "sold" car & purchased another car which is taxed and he has insured (i.e. actions supporting his buttertion.)

It seems to me that "The State" can't have it both ways:

Either he is considered still the "owner" (keeper?) and so when the Police & other authorities with penalty cameras ('bus lanes, speeding.) as well as automatic number recognition systems spot the car-in-question "The State" (don't know which agency..) can nab the little swine.. as a thief...

Or. he is no longer considered the "owner" (keeper?) and so when the Police & other authorities with penalty cameras ('bus lanes, speeding.) as well as automatic number recognition systems spot the car-in-question "The State" (don't know which agency..) can go visit stop the little swine and have a wee chat.

Presumably also "The State" knows if the car-in-question is taxed & insured (probably & unlikely.) so either go after the car-in-question after the next appearance on the radar of the un-insured car-in-question or pay the little swine a visit at the address he gave on his insurance.. (if he was "honest" in that particular.. ).

Any advice would be gratefully received. Particularly from any current or ex members of the constabulary on how to approach the various authorities (Police, DVLA, courts.)

If anyone thinks they can find, in return for the registration number provide the name & address of the little swine please e-mail me (remove NOSPAM) as I'd like to go have a chat with him. (Probably wouldn't help but it would make me feel better.)

Also, when this is all sorted (hopefully OK) but has cost F-in-L does he have a claim against the little swine he could pursue through small claims??

Regards & Thanks in advance

Rab