Are NSL above the law? - fine for SORN parked on road

victorian12

Not sure this is best place to post given how busy this board is but I would like to get some opinion on whether NSL (contracted by DVLA enforcement) is operating above the law and if not who I should take this up with? Here is my story...

My friend's car was recently towed whilst under my care. Whilst I recognise that the car was illegally parked whilst SORN on a public road I have a number of serious concerns about how this case was handled. Here is a summary of what happened:

-The car was temporarily rolled off my driveway so that repair work could be safely carried out on a gas pipe which was next to the car 

- The car was taken to North Woolwich which is very far from my house (30 miles +) and this was in the middle of the fuel crisis. The only way I could retrieve the car was via a recovery company who charged £370. They could basically charge what they liked as virtually no-one was able to find the fuel to drive this far. 

- I was not notified that the car had been impounded (how is this legal?) and therefore I was unable to retrieve the car within 24h so incurred an additional £100 fee.

- It took over 24h for the car pound to answer the phone for me to arrange collection so another £21 fee incurred (legal?). I had to go back and forth to the main switchboard and incurred significant charges for the numerous phone calls. 

- The pound is closed over the weekend from Sat noon until Monday morning so it was impossible to collect the car yet I was charged additional storage fees (legal?).

- On arriving at the pound (which has no address and is not signposted) it transpired that the information I was given about which documents were required was incorrect. Also the quote for release price was incorrect as the surety fee was not mentioned. Fortunately I had additional documents and cash with me which I could use to release the car. 

- Attempting to request a refund for the surety fee was another stressful and frustrating process. It took another 48h for the car pound to answer the phone causing me a significant amount of stress given the proximity of the 15 day deadline. They eventually answered the phone literally 2 hours before the deadline. At this point the operator rejected my payment card as the last 4 digits did not match what was written on their form. I pointed out the form was incorrect. Another stressful wait after which I was called back and issued the refund. No apology was made for their mistake on the form.

So all in all a very stressful experience dealing with a company who basically do not communicate and a £633 bill for temporarily moving a car due to safety concerns over a gas pipe? Shocking. I think of many other 'crimes' with a less severe punishment.

I have already complained directly to NSL and also to DVLA. Anywhere else I can go with this? 

Redx

As this is not a private PCN , plus we cannot give legal advice , try pepipoo fightback forums using a non Hotmail email address for sign-up and post in the relevant section , plus try legal beagles forum too

Curlyben

How long was the SORN'd vehicle parked on the public highway as the DVLA are not renowned for their speed...

KeithP

victorian12 said:

Whilst I recognise that the car was illegally parked whilst SORN on a public road...

-The car was temporarily rolled off my driveway so that repair work could be safely carried out on a gas pipe which was next to the car.

How long was 'temporarily'? Minutes? Hours? Days?

Most unfortunate that during those few minutes your SORNed vehicle was spotted on the highway, wasn't it?

victorian12

KeithP said:

How long was 'temporarily'? Minutes? Hours? Days?

Most unfortunate that during those few minutes your SORNed vehicle was spotted on the highway, wasn't it?

Literally hours. I know it is illegal but I think I was very unlucky! 

D_P_Dance

Unlucky to be caught you mean.  

victorian12

I am not questioning the fact that I was caught. I am looking for ways to question the legality of the NSL operation who seem to be able to increase the fine by a) not informing you that an offence has taken place and, b) charging you storage fees for when they are closed/not answering the phone/not providing a collection address. etc. 

D_P_Dance

You are looking in the wrong place I fear, we deal with private parking companies, try peppipoo.

Jenni_D

victorian12 said:

My friend's car was recently towed whilst under my care.

- I was not notified that the car had been impounded (how is this legal?) and therefore I was unable to retrieve the car within 24h so incurred an additional £100 fee

Whose name and address is on the V5C?

victorian12

Jenni_D said:

victorian12 said:

My friend's car was recently towed whilst under my care.

- I was not notified that the car had been impounded (how is this legal?) and therefore I was unable to retrieve the car within 24h so incurred an additional £100 fee

Whose name and address is on the V5C?

My friend's name.

KeithP

victorian12 said:

My friend's car was recently towed whilst under my care.

- I was not notified that the car had been impounded (how is this legal?) and therefore I was unable to retrieve the car within 24h so incurred an additional £100 fee.

I would imagine that it is perfectly legal for you not to be notified - if you are neither the owner nor Registered Keeper.
In fact, how on earth could you be notified?

Could it be that the RK didn't tell you in time to avoid the extra £100 fee?