Absolutely diabolical DVLA blunder...
Discussion
Evening all,
I sold a car last August. I did the logbook change online, immediately. New owner then taxed the car in his name, and off he went.
I then had monthly tax installments for the very same car leave my bank in September, October and November. At this point, I envoked the direct debit guarantee with my bank and got those three payments refunded.
The DVLA then contacted me earlier this year, saying I owed them those tax payments. I explained I hadn't, as I'd sold the car. They are adamant I hadn't sold the car, despite me showing all my evidence and even getting a photo of the new logbook, issued to the new owner, showing he took posession in August! He had also been paying his own tax, from August.
They point blank refuse to listen to me, it's like talking to a brick wall. I've appealed, I've written half a dozen letters. They are now taking me to court. Short of writing to some senior management, I am stumped. I don't fancy trekking 150 miles to the court hearing either.
All advice welcome.
I sold a car last August. I did the logbook change online, immediately. New owner then taxed the car in his name, and off he went.
I then had monthly tax installments for the very same car leave my bank in September, October and November. At this point, I envoked the direct debit guarantee with my bank and got those three payments refunded.
The DVLA then contacted me earlier this year, saying I owed them those tax payments. I explained I hadn't, as I'd sold the car. They are adamant I hadn't sold the car, despite me showing all my evidence and even getting a photo of the new logbook, issued to the new owner, showing he took posession in August! He had also been paying his own tax, from August.
They point blank refuse to listen to me, it's like talking to a brick wall. I've appealed, I've written half a dozen letters. They are now taking me to court. Short of writing to some senior management, I am stumped. I don't fancy trekking 150 miles to the court hearing either.
All advice welcome.
I get what you say about the trek but (with time on my hands) if it were me I would be in touch with a solicitor to get the low down on what you can claim for inconvenience/stress/etc then going to court fully armed with the relevant evidence & when you win claiming for everything possible.
If you get a summons, as explained above, get it moved to your local county court.
Hopefully a week before the court date, they will look at it and think, hang on we need to travel 150 miles or appoint a local solicitor, so is this worth it for a couple of mumflie payments? Chances are the DVLA are so stupid they will continue and the local solicitor will be as confused as you are.
Write/email them a letter saying that you intend to claim costs as litigant in person and copy the court in.
Hopefully a week before the court date, they will look at it and think, hang on we need to travel 150 miles or appoint a local solicitor, so is this worth it for a couple of mumflie payments? Chances are the DVLA are so stupid they will continue and the local solicitor will be as confused as you are.
Write/email them a letter saying that you intend to claim costs as litigant in person and copy the court in.
KungFuPanda said:
Monkeylegend said:
Did you get a confirmation email from them when you made the change online?
It doesn t matter. He says that the new keeper already has the new V5C.The jury find the defendant not guilty m'lud.
Sorry been reading to much John Grisham.
Edited by Monkeylegend on Monday 3rd August 08:02
Edited by Monkeylegend on Monday 3rd August 08:03
vikingaero said:
If you get a summons, as explained above, get it moved to your local county court.
Hopefully a week before the court date, they will look at it and think, hang on we need to travel 150 miles or appoint a local solicitor, so is this worth it for a couple of mumflie payments? Chances are the DVLA are so stupid they will continue and the local solicitor will be as confused as you are.
Write/email them a letter saying that you intend to claim costs as litigant in person and copy the court in.
Yes. If you have all the evidence to prove you're right and they're wrong, let them take you to court. As said they're likely to quit before then, or at least not turn up in which case you win anyway.Hopefully a week before the court date, they will look at it and think, hang on we need to travel 150 miles or appoint a local solicitor, so is this worth it for a couple of mumflie payments? Chances are the DVLA are so stupid they will continue and the local solicitor will be as confused as you are.
Write/email them a letter saying that you intend to claim costs as litigant in person and copy the court in.
Tracklover said:
I then had monthly tax installments for the very same car leave my bank in September, October and November. At this point, I envoked the direct debit guarantee with my bank and got those three payments refunded.
Did you contact DVLA to query what was going on?Using the DD guarantee is the last resort nuclear option - it seems clever, but now it’s bitten your arse.
Tracklover said:
The DVLA then contacted me earlier this year, saying I owed them those tax payments. I explained I hadn't, as I'd sold the car. They are adamant I hadn't sold the car, despite me showing all my evidence and even getting a photo of the new logbook, issued to the new owner, showing he took posession in August! He had also been paying his own tax, from August.
They point blank refuse to listen to me.
They point blank refuse to listen to me.
Sheepshanks said:
Did you contact DVLA to query what was going on?
Sebring440 said:
Tracklover said:
The DVLA then contacted me earlier this year, saying I owed them those tax payments. I explained I hadn't, as I'd sold the car. They are adamant I hadn't sold the car, despite me showing all my evidence and even getting a photo of the new logbook, issued to the new owner, showing he took posession in August! He had also been paying his own tax, from August.
They point blank refuse to listen to me.
They point blank refuse to listen to me.
Sheepshanks said:
Did you contact DVLA to query what was going on?
Edited by Sheepshanks on Monday 3rd August 12:38
Formal complaint.
As part of the (quite rapid) processing of your complaint, they will have to look very carefully at who did what and when.
DVLA said:
If you wish to register a complaint, you can do this online or by post. Please see the options below for further information.
Online
Please send your complaint by email via our website www.gov.uk/dvla/complaints
Please be aware that while there is a limit of 5,000 characters when submitting a complaint online, you are able to add attachments. Therefore, any additional information could be completed on a separate document and attached to the complaint.
Postal
You can send a complaint through the post to:
Complaints Team
D11
DVLA
Swansea
SA6 7JL
Timescale
We aim to respond within 10 working days.
As part of the (quite rapid) processing of your complaint, they will have to look very carefully at who did what and when.
DVLA said:
If you wish to register a complaint, you can do this online or by post. Please see the options below for further information.
Online
Please send your complaint by email via our website www.gov.uk/dvla/complaints
Please be aware that while there is a limit of 5,000 characters when submitting a complaint online, you are able to add attachments. Therefore, any additional information could be completed on a separate document and attached to the complaint.
Postal
You can send a complaint through the post to:
Complaints Team
D11
DVLA
Swansea
SA6 7JL
Timescale
We aim to respond within 10 working days.
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff