Car Tax

carolann312

My son's car tax runs out on 31 August but he is going to University in September and will not be renewing his car insurance when it runs out on 12 September as he is not taking his car to Uni. If he taxes his car for 6 months so that he can use it to get to his part-time job until 12 September can he then apply for a refund of 5 months when he SORNs his car while he is away? Thanks

LandyAndy

My elder son has a car that he does not take to university with him. Mrs LA and I are named drivers on the insurance. While he is away we continue to drive the car regularly (maybe two or three times a week). I think this is better for the car than leaving it unused for three months. Ok the tax still has to be paid but cars just don't like being left idle for long periods.

AdrianC

Yes, he can - but don't forget that a six-month disc carries a premium (10% until Oct, then 5%), which isn't refunded.

So if he buys a six month disc, he's paying 55% of the price of a 12mo, but only getting 42% refunded after one month. He's paying about 60% more for that one month's tax than if he bought a 12mo then cashed it in.

For the sake of two weeks, is there any other way of him getting to work...?

carolann312

Landy Andy thanks for that but if we continue to drive the car we also have to pay insurance as well and as my son has only been driving for 12 months I don't think it is worth paying over a £1000 when the car will not be used very often. My husband mentioned the same as you re the car being sat on the drive for long periods but rather that than paying for something which won't be used.:)

carolann312

For the sake of two weeks, is there any other way of him getting to work...?

I did think of that but he works very odd hours which don't suit public transport and myself and his dad are also at work so can't drive him to work.

carolann312

Adrian C I'm new to this and have never quoted from someone else's post before so don't think I did it right on the previous post but I think you can get what I meant from it!!

I think me and his dad will pay 12 month's tax then and get a refund after the one month. Thanks for your help.

AdrianC

Might that new-fangled invention known as the "bicycle" be of use?

LandyAndy

carolann312 wrote: »

Landy Andy thanks for that but if we continue to drive the car we also have to pay insurance as well and as my son has only been driving for 12 months I don't think it is worth paying over a £1000 when the car will not be used very often. My husband mentioned the same as you re the car being sat on the drive for long periods but rather that than paying for something which won't be used.:)

So when he goes back to university you cancel the insurance? I don't think that is doing him any favours in building up NCD.


Seized brakes, seized clutch, flat spotted tyres, flat battery, electrics affected by constant damp and any number of other things that don't affect a car that is being used are all possibilities if you just leave it standing.

carolann312

LandyAndy the insurance lapses on 11 September so we won't be cancelling it. If I had a spare £900 knocking about we would insure it but can't afford to pay that amount to have it sitting on the drive. His NCD is valid for 2 years so he won't lose that if he doesn't drive for 12 months and then hopefully he will move into accommodaton where parking is available. Another possibility we are now thinking of is to sell the car, put the money away and then he can get another car when he is ready to drive again next year. Thanks for your comments