HELP PLEASE!!! Refund of first year road tax after write off

[TJB82]

Hi All,

Some of you are already aware that my brand new car was written off at the hands of my best mate whilst sharing its first drive back with me from the dealership. I'm going through the process of claiming for a refund of the road tax, but the DVLA have only paid out based on the usual/ongoing annual tax rate of £490 for that particular car, as opposed to the first year's higher rate of £870. I have found many references online back when tax discs still existed that state, given the car has been written off, I should receive the larger amount back, or at least pro rata based on the full 11 months of a full 12 that were remaining. I can't find any reference to this law having changed along with the abolition of the tax disc in favour of the new online system, nor can I find any reference to how any refunds should be calculated these days given that the rules have apparently changed!

Anyway, I spoke with numerous different people at the DVLA and none of them are sure, either!! Does anyone have any advice they could empart, please?! What they did tell me was that my insurers had not yet placed a VIC marker on the car or updated the MIAFTR database to that effect, meaning that they didn't recognise it as a write-off as yet. When I challenged my insurers regarding this they stated that it was because they were still debating with their in house engineer and the salvage yard they're selling the car to as to whether it is a Cat. C or Cat. D write off. Even if I can get this finalised and the DVLA updated, I'm still none the wiser as to where I stand. Does anyone know? Has anybody crashed a brand new car since the tax disc was abolished?!

Thanks in advance for your help!

[SS2.]

From the DVLA:

DVLA said:

Refunds on a vehicle’s first tax disc for vehicles in bands H-M will only be calculated
according to the First Year Rate if the vehicle has been stolen, scrapped or moved into a tax
class where no VED is payable (e.g. disabled).

If the refund is being applied for because the vehicle has been sold, exported or taken off
the road, it will be calculated according to the standard VED rate applicable to that vehicle.

My guess is that the DVLA doesn't yet accept (or recognise) that the car is a write off.

Try emailing [e-mail].

[ging84]

VIC marker are no longer placed on write offs
the scheme has been abandoned

[TooMany2cvs]

SS2. said:

My guess is that the DVLA doesn't yet accept (or recognise) that the car is a write off.

Even if it is written off, that's not sufficient. It needs to be scrapped, according to that quote.

So if it's a CatC or CatD, and gets sold as salvage, then rebuilt, the first-year premium is not refundable.
If it's a CatB, or a C/D and broken for parts, it's refundable.

[ging84]

to be honest, i'm not sure if you should get the additional tax back, especially for cat C or D where the car could return to the road.
But you should not be left out of pocket, so it aught to be covered by insurance, but no doubt ved is something listed as excluded.

[SS2.]

TooMany2cvs said:

Even if it is written off, that's not sufficient. It needs to be scrapped, according to that quote.

Agreed - probably should have read my own quote in a bit more detail..

[surveyor_101]

Was this a Cayman gt4? They look lovely

[LoonR1]

surveyor_101 said:

Was this a Cayman gt4? They look lovely

It'd be a shame if it was. What with him having bought GT04 TOM to go with it. Strange that it's not showing as insured on MID though. If a car is written off in the first year then the road tax shouldn't matter anyway as pretty well every policy out there will replace your car like for like with all OTR extras covered too.

Oh well, go figure. It must just be coincidence that another longstanding member with a low post count has got a road tax issue today.

Maybe we could have a big debate how the whole system is flawed since they abolished the paper disc. You know, like the other thread just started by a longstanding member with a low post count.

EDIT: totes amazeballs he's got a Porsche just like garygravity on the other "let's have a whinge about road tax" thread too.

Edited by LoonR1 on Tuesday 5th January 21:08

[TJB82]

SS2. said:

My guess is that the DVLA doesn't yet accept (or recognise) that the car is a write off.

Try emailing [e-mail].

Thanks, that's really helpful, I'll do just that. Much appreciated!

[SS2.]

TJB82 said:

Thanks, that's really helpful, I'll do just that. Much appreciated!

As above, if the vehicle hasn't been scrapped and looks like being put back on the road, then the first year rate refund will not apply.

[TJB82]

LoonR1 said:

It'd be a shame if it was. What with him having bought GT04 TOM to go with it. Strange that it's not showing as insured on MID though. If a car is written off in the first year then the road tax shouldn't matter anyway as pretty well every policy out there will replace your car like for like with all OTR extras covered too.

Oh well, go figure. It must just be coincidence that another longstanding member with a low post count has got a road tax issue today.

Maybe we could have a big debate how the whole system is flawed since they abolished the paper disc. You know, like the other thread just started by a longstanding member with a low post count.

EDIT: totes amazeballs he's got a Porsche just like garygravity on the other "let's have a whinge about road tax" thread too.

Edited by LoonR1 on Tuesday 5th January 21:08

I'm sorry, have I inadvertently done or said something to upset you? Only your response to my (polite) enquiry came across as somewhat aggressive, at least in my opinion. Anyway, my insurance categorically does not cover the road tax, hence my query regarding my options with the DVLA. I didn't call for a 'big debate how the whole system is flawed since they abolished the paper disc', nor do I understand the relevance of the longevity of my membership or the frequency with which I post! I certainly do not appreciate your latter comment 'totes amazeballs he's got a Porsche just like garygravity on the other "let's have a whinge about road tax" thread too.'

I work hard, for long hours, which is precisely the reason I've been able to save enough money to (just about) afford a car like this. It's because of these long hours that I don't often find the time to be as involved on here as perhaps I'd like. However, during what has been a very stressful time I thought I would reach out to some fellow car enthusiasts to ask for some friendly advice. Unfortunately though, I came across you. You, and trolls like you, are precisely the reason that I still thought twice about asking for help.

Thanks for reminding me that the good people of this world are diluted by pillocks like you.

[anonymous-user]

TJB82 said:

Thanks for reminding me that the good people of this world are diluted by pillocks like you.

Got him in one!!!

[anonymous-user]

For clarity did your mate stove your car on your first drive?

That is spectacularly ste.

However, every half decent policy I am aware of will replace like for like.
And if you end up 400 quid out of pocket I am sure your mate will pay it.

[Roo]

In the circumstances it sounds like a lot of stress over less than £400 given the cost of the car.

[surveyor_101]

Is it not like vat, the first year premium element of the vehicle excise licence not satcrficial once you take delivery?

£400 seems small potatoes when your talking limited edition £65k car on back order

Why does the op ps mate get first drive back I would be running it in and enjoying.

[Red Devil]

REALIST123 said:

TJB82 said:

Thanks for reminding me that the good people of this world are diluted by pillocks like you.

Got him in one!!!

OP, don't worry you're far from alone. I reckon he is particularly waspish lately because Santa failed to deliver the Christmas present(s) he was expecting!

[Osinjak]

REALIST123 said:

TJB82 said:

Thanks for reminding me that the good people of this world are diluted by pillocks like you.

Got him in one!!!

Yup, the site's No.1 bell end strikes again.

[Jim1556]

Osinjak said:

Yup, the site's No.1 bell end strikes again.

I found Loon usually quite helpful and informative (though recently has had a dig at more than a few), but come on - Eclassy? 22RGT? etc...

SS2. said:

As above, if the vehicle hasn't been scrapped and looks like being put back on the road, then the first year rate refund will not apply.

This is fking disgusting and a blatant rip off by the DVLA!!!

[SS2.]

Jim1556 said:

SS2. said:

As above, if the vehicle hasn't been scrapped and looks like being put back on the road, then the first year rate refund will not apply.

This is fking disgusting and a blatant rip off by the DVLA!!!

To be fair, it's to prevent people from SORNing a new vehicle, receiving the full first year refund and then re-taxing next month at the standard rate, pocketing the difference.

[Osinjak]

Jim1556 said:

Osinjak said:

Yup, the site's No.1 bell end strikes again.

I found Loon usually quite helpful and informative (though recently has had a dig at more than a few), but come on - Eclassy? 22RGT? etc...

Eclassy is in a world of his own and 22Rgt is just an intentional troll but I get what you mean.