Unable to insure brand new car, what to do?

DullGreyGuy

No, the ABI shares a list but that is maintained by Thatchams... you'd need to ask Thatchams where they get their data

whitejohn

Goudy said:

You won't get a reg number until it's registered with DVLA.
Yes you might be able to choose one for a pre assigned dealer list but it won't be connected to the car until it's registered with DVLA.

To do this the dealer will fill out a V55.
There's a host of details to fill in, tax class, type approval, emissions and on and on and on, but the reg number is left blank unless they have one from a pre assigned list they want to use (or a personal plate on retention)

One area is make, model and trim to fill in.
Believe it or not to can actually put anything in the model and trim. I once made a rather embarrassing spelling mistake when entering the model of a vehicle. 

This is then sent or taken to DVLA office with the first years tax and a registration fee (£55 or so).
In a few weeks the V5C is sent out to whoever's name and address is on the V55.
It has to be insured to tax it, so it needs a cover note or be on MID.

You can insure it on chassis number for a short time if you have no reg number to select from a pre assigned dealer list.
This is why dealers get lists of reg numbers to use, it (usually) makes the process of insuring the vehicle to be registered easier.
The new owner uses that number to get the insurance, all being good (which isn't in this case).

I suspect dealers can use an online system but the same form (just electronic), details and fees are required.

Once on the DVLA system, that make, model and trim is then searchable by the insurance companies.
They will continually update their databases. 

Yes, you got all of those facts correct. We do have a pre-assigned number but as you say it's just a number until it's registered to that vehicle. I noticed the MID but didn't understand what that database was for. Nice to know that they continually update the database. Surely it's in the dealers interest to get it on the database otherwise they cannot sell this one or future models. 

Goudy

You could try opening a case with Mercedes UK
⁣Contact Us - Mercedes-Benz Cars UK

They are selling you a vehicle that isn't (yet) on the insurance database of models, they should be familiar with the issue. You might have no luck but it'll only cost you a bit of time.

You could also try one of the Mercedes Benz owners club or forms.
I gathered it was a Merc as I have read about similar problems from other owners, they might offer you some help if you can find someone on there that's been through the same thing.

You could also seek some advice elsewhere, another dealer or someone in the new car business.
I'm not sure if he still answers questions, but Honest John had a column in a newspaper answering and helping out where he could.
You could email for advice and I believe he did try answering everyone even if it didn't end up in the press, even if it was "sorry can't help".

whitejohn

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head said:

Did you buy in person or online or such? If in person there isn’t a right to cancel.

You can breach the contract and not take the car but the seller could seek to claim costs suffered or loss of profit.

Are you saying it hasn’t been delivered yet?

If so what was the timeframe for delivery? 

If they are past the stated timeframe for delivery you have the right to treat the contract at an end for a full refund of the deposit if you give another reasonable timeframe and they fail to meet that as well. 

Motoring forum on here might be able to help with the insurance aspect

Bought it online.
It has not been delivered, it's still at the dealers.
There were several delays in production and then 3-4 weeks in transit.
I believe it's over the 21 days specified, but then you need to give them 7 days notice which I didn't do as I'm trying to sort it out. Will do that now just in case.
Thanks for your help, that's very useful information

DullGreyGuy

Motor Insurance Database - holds the basic details of every Motor policy sold in the UK and can be accessed by various bodies to check if a particular vehicle is insured. Depending on the body and their reason for looking will dictate both on what they can search and what details they get back. 

To be able to sell Motor insurance in the UK you must be able to update MID, MID can withdraw your access if you fail to follow their rules around accuracy and timeliness.  

They don't maintain a list of all vehicles or all makes/models/varients; just a list of policies. Like any database, with the right access you could run a query to find a list of every make/model/varient insured in the UK in the last X years but its not its intent and it isn't to say that other options weren't available (just either never sold or were never insured for road use)

whitejohn

Goudy said:

You could try opening a case with Mercedes UK
⁣Contact Us - Mercedes-Benz Cars UK

They are selling you a vehicle that isn't (yet) on the insurance database of models, they should be familiar with the issue. You might have no luck but it'll only cost you a bit of time.

You could also try one of the Mercedes Benz owners club or forms.
I gathered it was a Merc as I have read about similar problems from other owners, they might offer you some help if you can find someone on there that's been through the same thing.

You could also seek some advice elsewhere, another dealer or someone in the new car business.
I'm not sure if he still answers questions, but Honest John had a column in a newspaper answering and helping out where he could.
You could email for advice and I believe he did try answering everyone even if it didn't end up in the press, even if it was "sorry can't help".

Yes that's a good idea, I'll have a go. You would think the main dealer would have better communications MB than me.

Mildly_Miffed

Insurers can insure anything, not just what's on the official list - it's how modified cars, kitcars, classic cars, etc get covered.

It's just that the mainstream ones choose not to. You might need to do some calling around to find a broker that's prepared to cover it, instead of just asking a meerkat. But in the future, it should be a lot easier, because it'll have worked its way down the system.

Goudy

whitejohn said:

Goudy said:

You could try opening a case with Mercedes UK
⁣Contact Us - Mercedes-Benz Cars UK

They are selling you a vehicle that isn't (yet) on the insurance database of models, they should be familiar with the issue. You might have no luck but it'll only cost you a bit of time.

You could also try one of the Mercedes Benz owners club or forms.
I gathered it was a Merc as I have read about similar problems from other owners, they might offer you some help if you can find someone on there that's been through the same thing.

You could also seek some advice elsewhere, another dealer or someone in the new car business.
I'm not sure if he still answers questions, but Honest John had a column in a newspaper answering and helping out where he could.
You could email for advice and I believe he did try answering everyone even if it didn't end up in the press, even if it was "sorry can't help".

Yes that's a good idea, I'll have a go. You would think the main dealer would have better communications MB than me.

You would think the Manufacturers, Importers and Dealers would all have a good relationship with each other, but that's not always the case.

The car is as much the dealers problem as it is yours, so you might want to try that angle and adding MB UK into the mix as well.
If it's a problem for you to register it, it's a problem for the dealer as well as MD UK.


I know you have a deposit on it, but you could sit tight and say yes you want the car when it's registerable and insurable.
Currently the dealer/ another customer can't or will have problem doing that, so it's just an expensive paperweight to the dealer at the moment.
MB UK are going to want paying for it sooner or later,  if that's not you it's the dealer, so it's in their interest as well.

baser999

Excuse my ignorance but would the car not have been input on to some system or another to have determined the road fund tax etc? Or do separate systems not cross reference? 

whitejohn

Goudy said:

whitejohn said:

Goudy said:

You could try opening a case with Mercedes UK
⁣Contact Us - Mercedes-Benz Cars UK

They are selling you a vehicle that isn't (yet) on the insurance database of models, they should be familiar with the issue. You might have no luck but it'll only cost you a bit of time.

You could also try one of the Mercedes Benz owners club or forms.
I gathered it was a Merc as I have read about similar problems from other owners, they might offer you some help if you can find someone on there that's been through the same thing.

You could also seek some advice elsewhere, another dealer or someone in the new car business.
I'm not sure if he still answers questions, but Honest John had a column in a newspaper answering and helping out where he could.
You could email for advice and I believe he did try answering everyone even if it didn't end up in the press, even if it was "sorry can't help".

Yes that's a good idea, I'll have a go. You would think the main dealer would have better communications MB than me.

You would think the Manufacturers, Importers and Dealers would all have a good relationship with each other, but that's not always the case.

The car is as much the dealers problem as it is yours, so you might want to try that angle and adding MB UK into the mix as well.
If it's a problem for you to register it, it's a problem for the dealer as well as MD UK.


I know you have a deposit on it, but you could sit tight and say yes you want the car when it's registerable and insurable.
Currently the dealer/ another customer can't or will have problem doing that, so it's just an expensive paperweight to the dealer at the moment.
MB UK are going to want paying for it sooner or later,  if that's not you it's the dealer, so it's in their interest as well.

I've cancelled the contract by post. I'm sure that I am entitled to a refund having read the T&Cs. As you say, the dealer has the same problem and needs to get it sorted. They are still talking to me and I presume it is OK for me to continue talking to them after cancelling the contract.  
I feel that I have made the right decision and, as you say, I can still buy the vehicle under a new contract. (just call in and pay on the day). Thank you again for your support, feeling much better and in control today!