Discussion about RED diesel
Discussion
UncleRic said:
I think that HMRC have Red Diesel detector vans. They have big funnels on the roof of the van that 'test' the air, litterally sniffing out users of red diesel. When the sensitive equipment sniffs out a potential user the horn is activated and a giant arrow (which extends from the bonnet) points at the suspect vehicle. HMRC officers then use their magic powers to test the fuel (on the road side) and if it is found to be untaxed they will get a little upset, often to the point of seizure.
I know loads of people through the Arb industry who have got caught using red. I've heard about people trying to prove 'it was my first tank' with receipts etc but the general case was £500-£1000 fine the first time and impounding of vehicles and court for repeat offenders. I know of one tree gang who had their unimog seized for the use of red. Check points are becoming much more frequent, even in very urban areas. There is a regular one on Ealing Common on the North Circular where they pull vehicles (mainly commericals) and check fuel/tacho/weight/vehicle condition.
Red, green and any other dye can be removed from colour diesel,
All retail outlets, and fuel distributers have to keep registers of who they supply differing types of fuel to, even private consumers of central heating oil/white diesel are listed on these registers, and if a distributer notes an up surge in supplies to a customer/householder, then they must report the same to HMR&C.
A vehicle found with red diesel in it's tank, can/will be seized under Customs & Excise Management Act 1979, with the vehicle either be condemned as forfeited, thereby scrapped, or restored subject to the owner of the vehicle paying a fine/penalty. The owner of the vehicle can appeal against either the refusal by HMR&C to restore or payment of a fine, under the Finance Act 1994 to a VAT and Duties Tribunal
All retail outlets, and fuel distributers have to keep registers of who they supply differing types of fuel to, even private consumers of central heating oil/white diesel are listed on these registers, and if a distributer notes an up surge in supplies to a customer/householder, then they must report the same to HMR&C.
A vehicle found with red diesel in it's tank, can/will be seized under Customs & Excise Management Act 1979, with the vehicle either be condemned as forfeited, thereby scrapped, or restored subject to the owner of the vehicle paying a fine/penalty. The owner of the vehicle can appeal against either the refusal by HMR&C to restore or payment of a fine, under the Finance Act 1994 to a VAT and Duties Tribunal
Edited by Wings on Monday 21st February 20:34
Wings said:
Red, green and any other dye can be removed from colour diesel,
All retail outlets, and fuel distributers have to keep registers of who they supply differing types of fuel to, even private consumers of central heating oil/white diesel are listed on these registers, and if a distributer notes an up surge in supplies to a customer/householder, then they must report the same to HMR&C.
A vehicle found with red diesel in it's tank, can/will be seized under Customs & Excise Management Act 1979, with the vehicle either be condemned as forfeited, thereby scrapped, or restored subject to the owner of the vehicle paying a fine/penalty. The owner of the vehicle can appeal against either the refusal by HMR&C to restore or payment of a fine, under the Finance Act 1994 to a VAT and Duties Tribunal
Some years back, you could buy a filter on eBay to remove the 'red'. Friend mentioned it to me, no idea what it was though. Probably not on eBay now - anyone know what this is, and where to buy one?All retail outlets, and fuel distributers have to keep registers of who they supply differing types of fuel to, even private consumers of central heating oil/white diesel are listed on these registers, and if a distributer notes an up surge in supplies to a customer/householder, then they must report the same to HMR&C.
A vehicle found with red diesel in it's tank, can/will be seized under Customs & Excise Management Act 1979, with the vehicle either be condemned as forfeited, thereby scrapped, or restored subject to the owner of the vehicle paying a fine/penalty. The owner of the vehicle can appeal against either the refusal by HMR&C to restore or payment of a fine, under the Finance Act 1994 to a VAT and Duties Tribunal
Edited by Wings on Monday 21st February 20:34
As an 'alternative' - how about locking off the fuel tank so it's static, filling it with regular diesel, then fit an additional tank (say where the spare wheel goes) as the actual working tank running red diesel to the engine from there?
Note: I have NO diesel vehicles, nor any desire to own one.
Edited by Crazy Torque on Monday 21st February 21:00
Deva Link said:
I've seen lots of posts to say it's a pretty standard £500 fine for the first offence.
That's certainly true here in Belgium. €500 payable at the roadside. They also make a note of the total mileage on your car at that point in time, and if you're caught a second time, they will go after you for the duty on all the fuel used between these 2 readings. e.g. First caught at 50,000, caught again at 70,000 - they go after you for duty based on 20,000 km.Over here the risk of being caught is very low if you drive a normal diesel car. If you drive a 4x4, van or truck there's a lot bigger risk that they'll stop you and check the tank.
If they find a hidden tank (as one poster suggested), they'll tear you a new one!
i run a land rover years ago on cherry pop and was called into a ministry road check for emmisions started to brick it whilst waiting in queue thinking of some crap to say ,couldnt believe it when they asked if derv or petrol we only have kit to test petrol cars we'll just do a quick saftey check but they put a prohibition order on said vehicle for a missing wheel nut t
ts i ask you
ts i ask you eskidavies said:
i run a land rover years ago on cherry pop and was called into a ministry road check for emmisions started to brick it whilst waiting in queue thinking of some crap to say ,couldnt believe it when they asked if derv or petrol we only have kit to test petrol cars we'll just do a quick saftey check but they put a prohibition order on said vehicle for a missing wheel nut tts i ask you
What do they check with Petrol ?ts i ask you sinizter said:
eskidavies said:
i run a land rover years ago on cherry pop and was called into a ministry road check for emmisions started to brick it whilst waiting in queue thinking of some crap to say ,couldnt believe it when they asked if derv or petrol we only have kit to test petrol cars we'll just do a quick saftey check but they put a prohibition order on said vehicle for a missing wheel nut tts i ask you
What do they check with Petrol ?ts i ask you SplatSpeed said:
only way around it is a second hiden tank, that they don't know about and pray!
They are wise to these kinds of tricks.Best one I heard of was a group running refridgerated trailers. They have a tank of red diesel on the trailer (as they can legally use red diesel to power the compressors etc) and had hooked up what appeared to be an extra airline between the tractor units & trailers.
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