Sadiq Khan fined £340 for untaxed Nissan Micra he denies owning

Sadiq Khan has been convicted of keeping an untaxed vehicle and fined £340.84 after the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency prosecuted him for failing to tax a 24-year-old Nissan Micra. The mayor, who denies owning the car, was found guilty in his absence under the Single Justice Procedure in Herefordshire.

The court ordered Khan to pay a £220 fine, £85 in costs, and the £35.84 unpaid tax bill within 28 days. If he fails to pay, the court warned, he could face increased fines, bailiffs, or an arrest warrant. The conviction notice was sent to Gordon Ramsay’s east London restaurant, not the nearby Transport for London offices where Khan works.

How the prosecution unfolded

The DVLA said the Nissan Micra, first registered in 2002, was spotted untaxed on 24 January. Official records listed Khan’s name and date of birth against the vehicle. A letter asking for confirmation of ownership was sent to the wrong address in January and went unanswered. The DVLA then launched a criminal prosecution on 18 August after no plea was entered.

City Hall said the car does not belong to Khan or Transport for London. A spokesperson told the BBC that the mayor had no knowledge of the vehicle or the prosecution. The DVLA is now reviewing the case and investigating how the letters were sent to the wrong address.

What happens next

Khan can apply to reopen the case by making a statutory declaration in person before a judge. If the court agrees, he could argue that he did not know about the prosecution because the letters were sent to the wrong address. The DVLA could then withdraw the prosecution or Khan could enter a not guilty plea.

Alternatively, the DVLA could apply to the court to reopen the case itself. The agency said it is investigating the circumstances of the prosecution. The 28-day deadline for payment began when the conviction notice was sent to the restaurant.