Penalty Letter for Untaxed Vehicle

[NotGoingOut]

I recently received a letter as per title.

The vehicle in question is parked on private property but right next to a road. It has been SORNed for several months.

The wording in the letter states, 'We have received evidence that at 10:16 hours on 30/05/2022 this vehicle was being used or kept...' etc.

The car wasn't being driven and is quite clearly not on a public road. I'm curious what evidence they are going on?

They are asking £660 to settle out of court of face a £2500 fine at court.

If they are going off photographic evidence then it will show the car off road. Would they go off verbal evidence if someone phoned it in?

Bit strange but I've written back pleading my case.

Just curious really if anyone has had a similar issue?

[NotGoingOut]

Hi all,

Just a quick update.

Just to confirm, vehicle is on SORN and has been for many months.

Vehicle is definitely on private land. When I said by the road it is actually at the side of my house and the road through the estate runs along side it.

Nobody else could have driven it.

The letter is I would say 100% genuine.

Not a cloning issue as letter states seen at my address being used or kept.

I have sent the letter back as the appeal section is on the reverse.
I have scanned it though and will post this evening.

Cheers

[NotGoingOut]

SS2. said:

Is it your land ?

Hi,

Yes, it's my land. A strip between my house and pavement. It's clearly within my boundary on the deeds.

[NotGoingOut]

carl_w said:

And the £2500 court option tallies with what the OP has been told.

Yes, I read the information from a different site. The fine consists of £30 + double the outstanding tax and as my vehicle is £360 per annum this would tally up.


Above all else though I really want to see the 'evidence' they are going on. I guess unless it goes to court I will never know.

[NotGoingOut]

Here's the letter.

[NotGoingOut]

Johnnytheboy said:

This is what it's going to hinge on, the issuing authority thinking that was public land.

A quick sketch...

Purple is the vehicle. Red is my boundary.

[NotGoingOut]

OutInTheShed said:

Looks like he's driven it somewhere so he could take the photo?

Sounds like either a mistake or a malicious neighbour.

The 'photo' is a google maps screenshot, I think there's a 2019 watermark in there somewhere.

I live on a packed housing estate and most cars are parked on the pavement or parked on the road like they've been abandoned. I would say this is one of the better parked ones as it's wholly on my property. Can't see it annoying anyone but you never know I guess?

Did have a note through the door a month or two back asking if I was selling though. Perhaps they are trying to give me a nudge.

[NotGoingOut]

mgtony said:

Wouldn't it have been quicker to post a picture of the car actually parked fully on that piece of land?

Yes, yes it would.

[NotGoingOut]

mmm-five said:

That space looks quite narrow from the photo, so is it a motorbike, or a very narrow vehicle?

Were you FULLY inside your boundary or was a mirror/wing/wheel over the boundary?

Hi,

The picture from Streetview is a bit distorted. The width is approx 2.5m and the vehicle is fully within the boundary.

The letter was received a couple of weeks ago. I have written back with photos and a copy of the land registry document showing boundary.

Tried ringing but every option pretty much ends up saying you have been caught with an untaxed vehicle and any appeal will be unsuccessful.

[NotGoingOut]

vikingaero said:

Easiest way to resolve this in future is to remove the number plates or screw them on back to front so you don't lose them.

donkmeister said:

OP, is the vehicle a slightly mouldy VW bus, and has one of your neighbours been giving you the stinkeye for the last few weeks?

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=19...

I think I will remove plates if it stays much longer.

It's not a VW and was in use 12 months ago so not guilty of that one

See next post for update.

[NotGoingOut]

So have received this letter in reply and there is going to be no further action.

I still don't like the way the letter is worded and I would really like to know what further action would have involved, if the enforcement officer hadn't
graciously decided not to take any.

[NotGoingOut]

carl_w said:

That's a very quick turnaround considering it looks like a paper letter.

I didn't post on here straight away. I had already sent the letter back with my defence on 13th June. Still reasonable for anything DVLA and Royal Mail related though I guess.

[NotGoingOut]

Canon_Fodder said:

Well done OP, pleased you won and shamed the bullies

Thanks

InitialDave said:

"Is the car still parked there? Interesting to see if you get popped again.

Yes, the car is still there but will be MOT'd and Taxed next month all being well. Failing that the plates are coming off as per previous suggestion.