Local Magistrates Court. The fine was for failing to tax the vehicle in the first place.

I hope someone in the wide world of the web can give me some guidance. I have failed to get any anywhere else. I needed to change the status of my vehicle tax from Disabled/Exempt to normal tax status in 2008. I thought this would be a simple task. It would seem that I was wrong. I called the DVLA helpline and explained what I wanted to do. "Oh yes no problem" I was told by the person on the phone. Apparently all I needed to do was to go to my local office or post the documents, marked with the necessary changes and post it to the DVLA at Swansey. I did this and awaited a response. Nothing happened. For three months. (I had been told it could take up to two) Called up the DVLA who said that they had no record of any of this. I then asked where my documents were. "Probably held up in the system. Wait a while more and I will flag it here" This has gone on and on and on. by phone and by letter. Today I was attended by a bailiff, who demanded that I pay a fine and costs totalling nearly £1000 pounds. For not sorting out the tax on my vehicle! In order that she would leave I had to pay the fine. The DVLA call-centre are very polite but no help, my letters have never generated a reply and I still don't have my Log Book. I just don't know where to go or what to do next!