Clear Air Zone fine due to 'unknown' Euro status

[smithyithy]

I've received a fine for driving in Birmingham's Clear Air Zone. Their website doesn't clearly state what the parameters are for it, it just lets you enter your reg. and tells you whether or not you need to pay for various cities (except London as the ULEZ is it's own thing).

I did some digging and found out they use Euro rating for their limits, with Euro 4 being the minimum for petrol cars. When I enter my reg. into the .Gov car checker, the Euro status comes back as 'unknown', which is why I think the fine has been issued, as their system couldn't determine the status so automatically issued the fine. Unfortunately, my V5c document also leaves this blank..

I've checked the reg. on other sites such as HPI, RAC etc. and it comes back as Euro 4...

So I'm a bit stuck - if it is Euro 4 (which I thought it was) then I can challenge the charge, but need to provide proof if so, and I'm not sure if the results from those sites would be adequate..

Anyone experienced anything similar?

[Smurfsarepeopletoo]

find the same car on autotrader and try that reg?

[kambites]

Is there something unusual about the car? Is it an import or something?

[smithyithy]

Smurfsarepeopletoo said:

find the same car on autotrader and try that reg?

Just done this for two other cars of the exact same model / variant and the .Gov site shows no charge. So it's definitely an issue with my car and the lack of recorded Euro class (maybe due to the V5 being changed when I put a personalised reg on the car?)...

So I believe I'm clear but I need to hope that they accept the explanation..

[kambites]

smithyithy said:

So I believe I'm clear but I need to hope that they accept the explanation..

Regardless of this particular event, you should probably go to the DVLA and try to get the registration details updated or this is going to happen more and more often as these ULEZ type zones get more and more common.

[smithyithy]

kambites said:

Is there something unusual about the car? Is it an import or something?

kambites said:

Regardless of this particular event, you should probably go to the DVLA and try to get the registration details updated or this is going to happen more and more often as these ULEZ type zones get more and more common.

Not an import no, the Euro class is just blank on the V5, and the .Gov checker can't find it either. Definitely will get in touch with the DVLA though like you say, but need to tackle this PCN first.

[Krikkit]

Just write to them with a photocopy of the V5 explaining the situation, it's not your fault that it's not been correctly registered, they'll sort it.

[smithyithy]

I've appealed with a pretty comprehensive explanation / justification with a PDF of supporting evidence

Can never be thorough... Fingers crossed they accept the appeal, but if they reject then it's the full £120 to pay, and bear in mind this is a council that recently went bankrupt.....

[edc]

This hasn't happened to me but I've seen many a post on other forums and just about the only way around and get the systems updated is to write to manufacturer, get a C of C showing the NOx, send documentation to relevant authority who will update.

[smithyithy]

Spot on mate, just got off web chat with DVLA and they advised me to seek a CoC and send it to them with a cover letter.