Off road conditions

Murphybear

Hi

We have 2 cars and have decided to take one off the road as we will be self isolating due to age.
We live in a Housing Association over 60s property and there is a small car park owned by the HA.  We have been told by both our Court Manager and other residents whose cars are SORN that our car park is classed as “off the road” but when I spoke to my insurance company they said that it would be considered “on the road”

I have tried to find a definitive answer online but haven’t had much luck.  The HA is very busy at the moment supporting the over 70s occupants.

has anyone got any thoughts on this?  The insurance is due on 5th April so we have time to decide what to do

thanks for reading 

Car_54

There isn't a definitive answer - there are two! A privately owned (and maintained) car park is definitely "off the road" for tax purposes. The insurer doesn't care about that, he's looking at the risks, and sees a car park as the same as a road, i.e. less safe than a private drive or garage.

AdrianC

There are two important questions as to whether you SORN it or not...

1. Who maintains it? If it's privately maintained, it can be there.
2. What does the landowner say? Some require cars to be road legal (ie insured and taxed), else you'd be in breach of the lease.

Sounds like you're good. Your insurer may, though, say that it's "on the road" in terms of the risks they'll consider paying for.

dogshome

A vehicle can be Sorned provided it is not parked on a public road - A Public Rd is one maintained by a local authority.

However, many parking areas on Private Land have clauses in the lease that parked vehicles must Taxed, Insured & MOT'd - In other words, completely road legal 

Murphybear

Thanks everyone, very helpful 

Norman_Castle

Are you asking to avoid prosecution for not being insured or to protect the car against theft or damage? Laid up insurance covers the car while not in use.  https://www.google.com/search?q=laid+up+insurance

wobbley

Murphybear said:

Hi

We have 2 cars and have decided to take one off the road as we will be self isolating due to age.
We live in a Housing Association over 60s property and there is a small car park owned by the HA.  We have been told by both our Court Manager and other residents whose cars are SORN that our car park is classed as “off the road” but when I spoke to my insurance company they said that it would be considered “on the road”

I have tried to find a definitive answer online but haven’t had much luck.  The HA is very busy at the moment supporting the over 70s occupants.

has anyone got any thoughts on this?  The insurance is due on 5th April so we have time to decide what to do

thanks for reading 

To get a definitive answer you can download the property details from the Land Registry website. For a few pounds you should be able to get a 'plan' , a large scale map with property boundaries marked in red. If the car park is within the boundary then its private property and tax, mot and insurance are not required.

Car_54

wobbley said:

Murphybear said:

Hi

We have 2 cars and have decided to take one off the road as we will be self isolating due to age.
We live in a Housing Association over 60s property and there is a small car park owned by the HA.  We have been told by both our Court Manager and other residents whose cars are SORN that our car park is classed as “off the road” but when I spoke to my insurance company they said that it would be considered “on the road”

I have tried to find a definitive answer online but haven’t had much luck.  The HA is very busy at the moment supporting the over 70s occupants.

has anyone got any thoughts on this?  The insurance is due on 5th April so we have time to decide what to do

thanks for reading 

To get a definitive answer you can download the property details from the Land Registry website. For a few pounds you should be able to get a 'plan' , a large scale map with property boundaries marked in red. If the car park is within the boundary then its private property and tax, mot and insurance are not required.

Tax and insurance are still required unless it's SORNed.

Belenus

Murphybear said:

We have 2 cars and have decided to take one off the road as we will be self isolating due to age.

Cars don't like being unused for extended periods of time so consider that before making any decisions.

You might save some money by taking one off the road but make sure that you follow the correct procedures for a laid up car or you may lose more value in the car than you save..

Have a read of this and other advice sites.

Most importantly look after yourselves and stay healthy and strong.

We are late 60s but fortunately still reasonably fit and healthy so not quite yet in a high risk category.