2nd NIP for a car I've sold.

[mechsympathy]

I sold my car at the start of April and received a letter back fom the DVLA dated 24h April saying that they've updated their records. So far so good.

South Yorks BiB sent me a NIP (68 in a 40) saying I'm the registered keeper on 1st June for an offence on 25th April. I've replied on 4th June saying that I'm not the keeper and I have a letter from the DVLA. I've not heard anything since.

Now I've had a NIP (Traffic light offence) from Manchester BiB with a covering letter saying that the DVLA don't have up to date details and I'm the last registered keeper.

Humpf

SWMBO has had a tidy out so I don't have the new keeper's details any more. After all, why would I keep them when the DVLA have thanked me for sending them the change of keeper gubbins.

I sold it to a dealer from Manchester (I believed, no I didn't check ID, GAH hindsight etc.) who now appears to be taking the piss.

To my mind I should be in the clear, but... Am I?

I can only imagine how irritating getting cloned could be.

[Puddenchucker]

Do you have any other proof that you sold the car to a dealer, such as a receipt or can you get a copy of the cheque from your bank? Or was it all cash-in-hand?

[mechsympathy]

Nope, it was cash.

[The Griffalo]

I'd write back with something along these lines...

Dear Sir or Madam,

I sold my car at the start of April and received a letter back from the DVLA dated 24h April saying that they've updated their records. As such I have fully discharged my legal responsibilities and am unaware of the Registered keeper (who may have changed again since I sold the vehicle).

As such I am unable to help you, however if you do require any further assistance in this matter I am happy to act as a go between for you with the DVLA. The charge for this service is £90.00 per hour. Should you require my assistance any further correspondence from yourselves will be charged at this rate and your writing to me will be deemed acceptance of my terms of service.

Yours unable to believe the incompetence of the authorities


Etc.

[mechsympathy]

:DI have to admit my letter was a touch less confrontational than that.

[Puddenchucker]

Just one question, how can you be so certain of the date (24th April) on the acknowledgement letter from the DVLA, if you no longer have the letter?

(I'm not suggesting you're telling fibs BTW, but this is the kind of thing the BiB may ask)

Edited by Puddenchucker on Tuesday 12th June 19:11

[mechsympathy]

Sorry, I have the letter from the DVLA, but not the new keeper's details.

[Puddenchucker]

Then just send BiB a photocopy of that. Job done. (Or aren't things that simple with the guilty until proven innocent speed-cameras set-up?)

(Probably worth sending a copy to the DVLA as well, pointing out their incompetence and the hassle it's caused you.)

Edited by Puddenchucker on Tuesday 12th June 19:23

[KieronSRi]

As long as you have that letter then thats all the evidence you need.

[esselte]

mechsympathy said:

Nope, it was cash.

I know it's a bit late now but it would be a good idea to do a sort of "bill of sale" and get the purchaser to sign to say he'd recieved the car even though you'd got his cash in your pocket......

[mechsympathy]

I'll just hop in my time machine and go sort it out.

[aw51 121565]

mechsympathy said:

Sorry, I have the letter from the DVLA, but not the new keeper's details.

Produce the photocopy of the DVLA letter in Court, and advise the magistrates that they can see the original once they have perused the copy.

Case dismissed, costs awarded to yourself. Polce and CPS shuffle out trying not to chaff their tales between their legs.

One fly in the ointment - you will have to say that you have possession of this letter at 'discosure' (where you say what your defence to the charge is). Any charges will be dropped at this point.

Having said this... Jim Henson is much in evidence (muppetry ) so it will go to Court and you will be found not guilty and be awarded costs. If more people 'played the game', said what their genuine defence is and then went to Court as this (cynically) will, perhaps the Police would investigate properly .

I know, dream world .

[streaky]

The Griffalo said:

The charge for this service is £90.00 per hour. Should you require my assistance any further correspondence from yourselves will be charged at this rate and your writing to me will be deemed acceptance of my terms of service.

If the OP is Bob Killey (ex Transport Commissioner for London), that's ultra cheap. His retained (by TfL) charge-out rate is £500/hour.

aw51 121565 said:

Jim Henson is much in evidence (muppetry ) so it will go to Court and you will be found not guilty and be awarded costs.

With true muppetry - such as reported in several courts - the OP will be found guilty and have costs against them .

Streaky

[mechsympathy]

streaky said:

With true muppetry - such as reported in several courts - the OP will be found guilty and have costs against them .

This is the cheery thought that caused me to post in the first place, partly for a bit of moral support (and piss taking) and partly as a salutatory tale.

I haven't sold a car for a few years and while I thought about checking ID at the time, when it came to the moment I forgot. In hindsight they (three of them came to look at the car) were a dodgy looking bunch one of whom claimed (falsely it appears) to be a dealer. Should I have asked for ID? Probably. Should I have told them to piss off? After they'd come from Manchester, having agreed a price over the phone...

[streaky]

mechsympathy said:

Should I have told them to piss off? After they'd come from Manchester ...

... although I've taken the sentences somewhat out of context - Streaky

[Flat in Fifth]

Another cheery thought.

Imagine the position if you'd sent the details off to DVLA but not received the letter from them. They say we didn't get it, you say I sent it, they say have you proof, you think, damn why didn't I spend the extra for Special Delivery so I'd have Proof of posting AND Proof of Delivery.

As discussed on another thread, Streaky and I are equally paranoid and scrupulously maintain the document trail in connection with certain issues and certain Govt departments in particular.

[mechsympathy]

Flat in Fifth said:

Another cheery thought.

Indeed.



We need that one doing a run around like this one

[Mad Dave]

Flat in Fifth said:

Another cheery thought.

Imagine the position if you'd sent the details off to DVLA but not received the letter from them. They say we didn't get it, you say I sent it, they say have you proof, you think, damn why didn't I spend the extra for Special Delivery so I'd have Proof of posting AND Proof of Delivery.

As discussed on another thread, Streaky and I are equally paranoid and scrupulously maintain the document trail in connection with certain issues and certain Govt departments in particular.

Not quite the same but ive just had to stump up a £40 RFL charge for a bike I sold months ago, plus another £40 for forgetting to tax my car - it seems it's perfectly acceptable for DVLA to lose things (like the letter from me telling DVLA of change of ownership), but i'm not permitted to forget to tax my car.

[alock]

Everytime you sell a car, take a picture of the buyer next to the car with the number plate visible.

Everytime you buy a car, take a picture of the seller next to the car with the number plate visible.

[streaky]

Flat in Fifth said:

As discussed on another thread, Streaky and I are equally paranoid ...

I'm more paranoid that you, after all, it's me they're out to get! - Streaky