Car Tax (VED) and surcharges what a scam?

TOP_CAT

Considering the DVLA sells all your data to unregulated private parking companys at £2,50 a pop making millions with no checks at all  annually ...

Yea they know all about Admin ....without a doubt ?

Grey_Critic

But they are the Government - they make the rules so they cannot be wrong. Of course they are politicians of all persuasions so are obviously very dodgy characters

Herzlos

Graydog7 said:

Herzlos said:

At 700 miles a year, are you not going to be better off with taxis?

Or get something that's older than 2006 which I think is when the higher 2 bands came in.

Thanks, but Taxi's are no replacement for the convenience of having you own car in the driveway and older cars are more likely to break down.

Normally I'd agree, especially if you're doing a lot of journeys with short notice, but at 700 miles a year I can't see that being the case unless the journeys are really short which isn't great for any cars. I couldn't be without one but I do about 7000 miles a year which would make a taxi insanely expensive.

A taxi would also be able to drop/collect you from the door and avoid walking from the nearest available space.

By older I just mean getting a 55 plate Sab 9-5 rather than an 08 plate, which shouldn't be significantly less reliable. The tax rates changed in April 2016 introducing 2 new bands, so a 55 plate version of your car would be £395/year to tax instead of £675.

Though it's unlikely to be worth changing cars to save £180/year in tax.

Once you factor in tax, insurance, the car purchase, fuel, maintenance, MOT and any repairs then you must be looking at £3 or £4 a mile.

Car_54

Graydog7 said:

Car_54 said:

which DVLA has to finance. 

Really? That makes no sense.

 If you pay for 12 months, the Treasury has the use of that money which can earn interest for 12 months. Conversely, you lose that opportunity.

By opting to pay by instalments (whether two or twelve) you are getting credit, and you are depriving the Treasury of that interest. That cost has to be borne by someone, so it’s either you or the taxpayer, I.e. the rest of us. The taxpayer (me) isn’t happy to pay for someone else’s credit!

On a constructive note, you may be able to avoid this cost if you can get a 0% credit card and pay for 12 months up front.

jimjames

Graydog7 said:

Herzlos said:

At 700 miles a year, are you not going to be better off with taxis?

Or get something that's older than 2006 which I think is when the higher 2 bands came in.

Thanks, but Taxi's are no replacement for the convenience of having you own car in the driveway and older cars are more likely to break down.

I disagree. Seeing friends with brand new cars they've had far more breakdowns and issues than my 20 year old car

The real warning for everyone is to check the vehicle tax rates before buying a car so you know what you are letting yourself in for.

Graydog7

Car_54 said:

Graydog7 said:

Car_54 said:

which DVLA has to finance. 

Really? That makes no sense.

By opting to pay by instalments (whether two or twelve) you are getting credit, and you are depriving the Treasury of that interest.

On a constructive note, you may be able to avoid this cost if you can get a 0% credit card and pay for 12 months up front.

Still doesn't make sense, If what you say is correct then those opting for monthly DD are depriving you and the Treasury more in the way of interest than those paying 6 monthly yet they only have a 5% surcharge.

Don't worry Ben, I have plenty of money, just don't like wasting it.

born_again

Graydog7 said:

I have recently changed cars from a Saloon to an Estate to carry a wheelchair and I hurriedly set up my car tax from my phone at the sellers home. I was initially very surprised at how high it was having changed from a diesel SAAB to  petrol one so just opted for 6 months costing £371 that’s £742 for the year. Later when I got home I checked the rates again and found that although it was still high a years tax would have been £675. It turns out that there is a 10% surcharge for paying 6 monthly yet only 5% for a monthly Direct Debit. 

Should really have looked for a lower group car. 

Could get a wheel chair in a Kia Stonic, Even easier in a Niro. £165 a year VED.

Graydog7

born_again said:

Should really have looked for a lower group car. 

Could get a wheel chair in a Kia Stonic, Even easier in a Niro. £165 a year VED.

That's true but it's a big electric chair, quite bulky and very heavy, sorry I should have been clearer on that and yes, I definitely should have checked the VED band although I probably would have still bought the car anyway, it's a stunner (in the eyes of this old git anyway)

stuhse

Don't worry Ben, I have plenty of money, just don't like wasting it.

The way to not waste money is to research all the costs of running a car before purchasing.! There are many estate cars around that can carry a wheelchair that are just £30 a year to tax. There is no scam, the rates are well advertised and set by the government, and we all know politicians are as straight as the day is long 😀 . I've long been of the opinion that ved should be added to the cost of fuel, then it couldn't be avoided, and those with gas guzzling cars and those that do more miles would pay proportionately more, which is fair and would encourage the use of more economical cars which is green. Equally those that need a large vehicle for occasional use wouldn't be unfairly penalised.

Krakkkers

Aren't the vauxhall vectras underneath?