We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Received fine for old car, passed to debt collection
Stormski
Posts: 5 Forumite
I've received a letter from a debt collection agency called Sigma Red.
They are saying they collect payments on behalf of the DVLA, this debt is in relation to a late payment penalty on my car tax. Apparently i've failed to respond to the DVLA notice and now I must pay a fine of £80.
The problem is I haven't owned the car for about 4 years and this is the first notice i've received regarding this issue, I haven't' received anything from the DVLA, this is the first i've heard of it.
Thinking back i may have done something stupid, the car was part ex, it was only worth scrap i bought a car and the guy took this old car... i handed over the documents and he said he would take care of everything... I have a slight feeling the car is still in my name.. but why haven't i received any tax renewal forms or anything like that? This is literally the first time i've heard of this car again since it was sold.
The car and all people involved are long gone, i wont be able to trace it at all.
Do i have any options other than paying the fine?
They are saying they collect payments on behalf of the DVLA, this debt is in relation to a late payment penalty on my car tax. Apparently i've failed to respond to the DVLA notice and now I must pay a fine of £80.
The problem is I haven't owned the car for about 4 years and this is the first notice i've received regarding this issue, I haven't' received anything from the DVLA, this is the first i've heard of it.
Thinking back i may have done something stupid, the car was part ex, it was only worth scrap i bought a car and the guy took this old car... i handed over the documents and he said he would take care of everything... I have a slight feeling the car is still in my name.. but why haven't i received any tax renewal forms or anything like that? This is literally the first time i've heard of this car again since it was sold.
The car and all people involved are long gone, i wont be able to trace it at all.
Do i have any options other than paying the fine?
0
Comments
-
! !!!! !! !!!!!d !y ! !!!!!. !!'! d!!!!!!! !h!! !v!! w!!! !! !!!!! !! !!'! j!!! ! d!!! !!!!!!!!! wh!!h y!! !!! !g!!!!. !! y!! w!!! !h!m !! !!!p !!!!!!!!!g y!! !h!! j!!! !!!! !h!m !h!! !!d !h!y w!!! !!!p. !! y!! w!!! DV!! !! !!!p !!!!!g !h! m!!!y !!! !h! p!!!!!y wh!!h y!! d!!p!!! !h!! !!!!! w!!!!!g !!!!!!! !! !h!m !!!!!g !h!m !! p!!v! !h!!! !!!!. !!'! !!!!!!!y y!!'!! !v!! h!!! !g!!! !!!m !h!m. !!!m my p!!!!!!! !xp!!!!!!! w!!h !h! DV!! !h!y j!!! w!!! m!!!y !!!m !!y!!! wh!'!! p!y !p w!!h!!! d!!p!!!. !! y!! !!!!! d!!p!!!!g y!!'!! !! !!! m!!h !!!!!!! !!! !h!m !!d !h!y g!v! !p. My p!!!!!y w!! !!! !!! !!!!w!!g my !!!! wh!!h ! !h!!!d h!v! d!!! !!! d!d!'! d!. !!!h!!!!!!y ! !!!!!g!!!!!!! !!d ! p!!!!!y !pp!!!! !!! ! w!!!! !!y!!g ! d!d!'! g!! !h! !!m!!d!! !!!!!!!. !h!y w!!!! !!!! !!y!!g !!m!!d!! !!!!!!! !!!!'! !!q!!!!d !!! ! !!v!! h!!!d !!y!h!!g !g!!!.
!h!!! !! !! !!!d !! p!y !h!m.:footie:
Regular savers earn 6% interest (HSBC, First Direct, M&S) Loans cost 2.9% per year (Nationwide) = FREE money. 0 -
Hi Stormski
It's odd that it has taken so long for the DVLA to bring this to your attention but you are by no means the only person to have experienced this.
Sigma themselves are simply acting as plain old debt collectors here as opposed to bailiffs. If they are unable to recover it they will return it to DVLA who will then decide whether it is worth escalating the matter, which could include a minimum fine of £1000 and/or recovery action via a county court judgment.
You may still be able to challenge this by contacting DVLA directly but there is always a risk of this kind of scenario when leaving the paperwork to the buyer. If you are in a position to settle the penalty it may be wise to do so; at least you will then be free to investigate further at your leisure.
Speaking of investigating, you may find it useful to know that you can check the tax status of any vehicle provided you know its make and reg number:
https://www.vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/Default.aspx
Dennis
@natdebtlineWe work as money advisers for National Debtline and have specific permission from MSE to post to try to help those in debt. Read more information on National Debtline in MSE's Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help guide. If you find you're struggling with debt and need further help try our online advice tool My Money Steps0 -
HappyMJ - your reply seems to have been corrupted somehow - at least on my PC it's totally illegible. Possibly today's spammer(s) up to something.
Dennis
@natdebtlineWe work as money advisers for National Debtline and have specific permission from MSE to post to try to help those in debt. Read more information on National Debtline in MSE's Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help guide. If you find you're struggling with debt and need further help try our online advice tool My Money Steps0 -
National_Debtline wrote: »HappyMJ - your reply seems to have been corrupted somehow - at least on my PC it's totally illegible. Possibly today's spammer(s) up to something.
Dennis
@natdebtline
No. MSE are changing the settings on the filters due to the spam attack this morningDebt Free! Long road, but we did it
Meet my best friend : YNAB (you need a budget)
My other best friend is a filofax.
Do or do not, there is no try....Yoda.
[/COLOR]0 -
No. MSE are changing the settings on the filters due to the spam attack this morning
Yes, saw that after I'd posted here! Thanks FW.
DennisWe work as money advisers for National Debtline and have specific permission from MSE to post to try to help those in debt. Read more information on National Debtline in MSE's Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help guide. If you find you're struggling with debt and need further help try our online advice tool My Money Steps0 -
Would defo take this up direct with DVLA, you could argue the length of time it has taken them to bring this to your attention is excessive, and, as you have not owned the car for 4 years, it is not your responsibility anyway, however, they may counter that you did not follow proper procedure, so you may have to cough up, but better to pay £80 than a £1000 fine.I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Debt free wannabe, Credit file and ratings, and Bankruptcy and living with it boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.For free non-judgemental debt advice, contact either Stepchange, National Debtline, or CitizensAdviceBureaux.Link to SOA Calculator- https://www.stoozing.com/soa.php The "provit letter" is here-https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2607247/letter-when-you-know-nothing-about-about-the-debt-aka-prove-it-letter0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 352.4K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.7K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.4K Spending & Discounts
- 245.4K Work, Benefits & Business
- 601.2K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.6K Life & Family
- 259.2K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards