Safe Speed Forums

Very briefly:

July 04: Sold last Accord (well, gave away actually). Couldn't find log book, but made a text-based substitute and filled in the disposal section with the new owner's detail and posted it off.

March 05: Got a Tax reminder through the post for it

Replied by return explaining the score, asking them to amend their records (unfortunately I never kept a record of the chap's name, although if push comes to shove I could trace him and identify him - he worked at the time for the Honda dealer that serviced the thing).

June 05: Got a snotty letter from the Continuous Registration Centre telling me I already owe them money.

Replied by return with the following:

I'll start a sweepstake soon - how many more letters will be exchanged?

I'll go for "more than one"...

Excellent reply, by the way!

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CSCP Latin for beginners...
Ticketo ergo sum : I scam therefore I am!

<Devils Advocate Mode>

Looking at it from the DVLA perspective...
Couldn't anyone just say they'd sold the car having lost the V5? Do they just take everyones word for it?

<Mode Off>

Of course they don't have to take my word for it. However, I think for one who is squeaky clean and has historically always taxed the car and its predecessors reliably that should count in the honesty stakes.

I'm more than happy for the car to go on the "wanted" list and for the BiB to pull it over if spotted.

I've just remembered the new owner's name and if they ask me for it nicely I'll furnish it (if I can still remember it). But if they threaten me sgain or persist with this notional debt they can stick it where the sun doesn't shine.

You'd like to think so wouldn't you?
In this vein, during a quiet period at work, my officemates and I (who are known to try to put the world to rights now and then), came up with the whimsical notion of 'societal smartie points'. Quite simple, the more good things you did in life, the less of a drain you were on society, the more honest you were, the more points you acquired.
Then, if you found yourself in a pickle, your smartie points score could be checked to determine whether you were an honest Joe who'd made a small cock-up, or a toe-rag trying it on (again). This would be used, as in your case, as the 'benefit of the doubt' decider and permit the DVLA to act in your favour.
Utterly ridiculous I know, but it passed an hour or so

We need to turn the tables on the sponging t*ssers

start a campaign to scrap road tax, put the equivalent on fuel, then close down the whole tax admin and collection industry! spend the money on a third new aircraft carrier or something.

Car tax must surely be the greatest job creationg scheme known to man!

(my cousin and her husband work there!!)

Dont wait for a reply from DVLA - which you will get sooner or later.
Contact your MP, and aquaint him/her with the facts, pointing out the DVLA rely on non registered post to send out documents/reminders etc. so you have done nothing wrong in doing the same when you sold the vehicle.

Twice in the last year I have had to cross swords with the DVLA, and only my MP prevented me from getting a £40 penalty (increased to £80 because I refused to pay the first amount).

I left a vehicle in France following a breakdown, along with documents as per French Law.
On return, I returned the tax disc for a refund of the remaining tax, along with a letter explaining the circumstances.
They sent me a SORN, which I returned, and I got my refund.
14 months later, I get a fine for not renewing the SORN.

When I point out there was no reminder, they tell me they are not legally obliged to send a reminder.
I point out that the form says that they will remind me, and that as the car is not in this country or has a disc to remind me, I should need one.
I copied the letter to my MP and the press, and low and behold, I get a letter from the transport minister, saying their mistake - I should have had a notice of permanent export, NOT a SORN, so I dont have to pay the fine. A form will be sent in the post.

That was in November last year. I STILL have not had the form!!!

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Time to take responsibility for our actions.. and don't be afraid of speaking out!

My word, Ernest. I hope it doesn't need me to call on an MP to fight this battle. I think I'd sooner have a day in court