Car Tax Help!!!

StudleyMcF

I'm wondering if anyone can help me with some advice.

I bought an HPI clear used car about 5 months ago, but the seller failed to send off the V5c document. This I realised, when I checked the tax disc expiry, which has been paid for 6 months.

I filled in the relevant V62 ownership transfer document and took it to the DVLA local office, which is 31 miles away, and they accepted it, along with the new keeper details to process. They told me that the new V5c would need security checking and would be with me by the end of the month - which would be just in time to tax the vehicle.

Now I have received a letter with my name spelt incorrectly, advising me that it will be on the 5th of next month that the decision will be made as to whether I own the car or not, and that the V5c could be with me as early as the 13th.

I've called the DVLA in Swansea, but all they will say is keep the vehicle off the road, or I'm committing a crime by going to work. One of the less helpful call centre staff said that I could claim that I had bought the tax online if challenged, and then could make use of the 5 day grace period - which I think must be illegal.

I tried taxing the vehicle using a V10 tax application, but without the new keeper details the DVLA office wouldn't accept it, even though they took the details from me on my last visit. The V10 says that you can tax at a post office, but the branch I tried explained that they need barcoded paperwork to issue my disc. The post office manager checked the documents he keeps, including the V10 and noticed that it does indeed say they should issue the disc, but he wouldn't.

I live in a crummy little terrace in the centre of Bradford and have nowhere to put the car that isn't off the road and I'm at my whits end. It seems no-one will take my car tax money, regardless of whether the vehicle is visible through the window even!

Can somebody help, or give advice?
Could I get the previous keeper to tax the vehicle?
Can I make use of the 'grace period'?
Has anyone been through something similar?

worried_jim

I've never needed the V5c to tax a car, just filled a tax form in, showed MOT and insurance at the post office and got the disk. Last time I did this was 23 days ago.

Tigerprint

I understand the seller should have sent the V5C (log book) but did he give you the green slip? (v5c/2)

StudleyMcF

I'm glad to hear it can be done - which Tax form did you fill in? V-something?

StudleyMcF

I was given the V5C2 new keeper details slip, but the DVLA local office took possession of it along with the V62 when I applied for a new V5c logbook in early February. Apparently, I was not entitled to keep it, as I'd owned the vehicle for more than three months.

molerat

That's blown it then. You can tax it with a V11 and the V5C/2 at the local office, but no V5C/2 = no tax I am afraid. With hindsight you should have left applying for the log book until you needed to tax it. http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@motor/documents/digitalasset/dg_065263.pdf states

By law you (as the seller), must hand over the V5C/2 when you sell the vehicle. If you (as the buyer) have a V5C/2, you can tax your vehicle at a Post Office ® branch that issues tax discs if you do this within two months of the date you bought the vehicle, or within 13 months at a DVLA local office

Yet another .gov dept that is not fit for purpose making criminals out of honest people. About time RFL was done away with and added to fuel.

Tigerprint

I hope you sort it out, I only know that if you had the green slip you could take the slip, the car's current MOT & your insurance & payment to obtain tax.

Unless you can speak to the original seller of the car?, does he still have the V5? I have taken the V5 with insurance & MOT & payment to the local post office, filled in the new keeper details & got tax before.

patman99

The seller may well of sent-off the V5, but it got lost in the post. They would never know.

Looks like you will need to invest in a big, thick full car cover and keep you car covered-up. If they can't find it, they can't clamp it. Mind you, do you have all the paperwork from the DVLA?. If so, keep this handy as you may be able to use it in your defense when challenged over the expired Tax.

skaven2100

Just had similar problem although not as urgent as yours.

Dealer had sent full V5 off and didn't give me new keepers slip. My tax due at the end of the month and the DVLA letter said processing would be on the 22nd, and would take 5 working days for my V5 to arrive. Cutting it fine as the month ends on the 28th!

Seems like a long time seeing as the dealer sent V5 before the 1st of the month. Anyway waited till after the 22nd so i would presumably be the registered keeper on DVLA records and went to the post office.

The Post office will not tax without the V5 or the new keepers slip regardless of what anyone tells you. They simply will not.

The DVLA will but only if you are the registered keeper. So I'm afraid your only option is to apply at the DVLA in person ASAP after the date they are due to process your V5. you will need proof of insurance (The certificate - not the covernote) and an MOT valid on the date the tax starts, fill out a V10 and fess up the cash and your'e good to go.

Until then you have to keep the car off the road no exceptions. I know that sucks but thems the rules, if you break the law and get caught don't come crying to us.

StudleyMcF

So it turns out that without the V11 tax reminder form, the V5c logbook, or the V5c2 that the DVLA local office took from me, you also cannot declare the vehicle SORN.

So, no-one will let me pay for my car tax, and equally, no-one will let me declare the vehicle off the road. By default therefore, I am unable to prevent myself committing a criminal offence as of midnight tonight, even after I have rented a driveway to put the vehicle on, so that it is off the road.

This is all getting very expensive. I've had to take holiday from work and rent a car for the days where my family absolutely need to travel and where public transport will not suffice. What still amazes me is that no-one will let me pay.

I've had my parent call up and offer to pay - but its not the money. No-one wants to take my cash.

Tigerprint

To be honest I don't think DVLA should have taken the green slip from you (V5C2) This is the only record a person has that says that they have bought a car & is the only form that enables the new keeper to get tax if the V5 (log book) is out of their hands. Phone DVLA & tell them they have taken this in error & you need it to obtain tax as you haven't received the V5 in your name in time.