Marstons Bailiff wants £1000+ within 2 weeks out of nowhere

[MsDiamond]

Good morning all, feeling very grateful that I found this forum as I’m stressing over this and unable to sleep.

 

yesterday a bailiff came to my house and said I had to pay him £1080 (I think - somewhere round that) or he would seize goods - and then looked at my car. 

I said I had no idea what he was talking about and he said it’s from the magistrates court from the DVLA from 2018. 

I explained that I do not have £1000 spare and he said he would accept £100 and the rest by the end of the month or he’ll be back to seize goods.

I managed to scrape £100 together and paid him and he left.

I have no letters or paperwork or anything.

 

i called the DVLA who said it’s because in 2018 when I declared my car SORN I didn’t keep it insured and that’s a penalty.
I have had no correspondence From them whatsoever in all this time.

I moved house in April last year which may explain why I didn’t receive any letters...

but I notified the DVLA of my change of address and my car is in my name registered here. 

I do not understand how they can just completely out of the blue turn up and demand £1000.

I just don’t have it and I’m a travel agent so right now things are already looking pretty bleak 

 

I’d there anything I can do?
 

[dx100uk]

you sure you heard that right. ??

you do not need to have insurance if a car is sorn'd, that's the point of sorn, it's off the public roads/highways and doesn't need insurance.

 

dx

[MsDiamond]

No I discovered that last night so I am going to phone them this morning again 

[dx100uk]

let us know we can advise with the statutory declaration if that's what is needed once you get the truth.

shame you paid the bailiff, I feel that money might now be lost.

[divination]

Did the SORN last longer than a year and if so did you renew it?

[dx100uk]

declared sorn'd in 2018, fined in 2018 ....according to post 1 

 

[divination]

In that case, was there any delay between any insurance ending and the car being SORN'd? They've got really hot on this lately.

 

If so, then a stat dec is in order. Need to establish the dates first.

[dx100uk]

Too true but unless the op engages with this thread we are flying blind

[MsDiamond]

Good morning,

apologies for not engaging I was asleep.

 

DVLA on the phone yesterday were pretty useless and said that I have to contact the magistrates but I don’t know which magistrates to contact.

 

SORN in 2018 and the fine is from 2018 and it went to magistrates in April 2019 -

I have now emailed them to ask for specific dates and details and will apparently get a reply within 3 days 

[brassnecked]

If it was on private land and sorn insurance not needed,  If Statutory Declaration accepted, the bailiff will have to refund the money as the Fine and bailiff fees are wiped out  and you can then decide to pay the original penalty or fight it in court with any evidence you have.

[MsDiamond]

I will keep you guys posted on what DVLA day.

 

My worry is that it’s going to take ages and the bailiff is coming back next week to seize goods if I don’t pay....

although until I know which magistrates court it is in I can’t even contact them to discuss and we have no paperwork what so ever that can help us to work our what is owed from where to who! 

So frustrating, especially with everything else going on!

[dx100uk]

ring stop using email.

 

 

[MsDiamond]

I did, and they said I had to make the request for info in writing 

[dx100uk]

they said write so you emailed?
did they say use email?

 

don't worry about the bailiffs 

did not the bailiff letter state the court?

 

 

 

 

[MsDiamond]

The DVLA boy on the phone said I could email and they would reply within 3 days. 
the bailiff didn’t give me any paperwork at all just showed me his badge and then emailed a receipt for the £100 payment we made and said he would be back next week for the balance as he nodded at my beloved car :( 
 

[brassnecked]

Might be wise to move the car away or lock in a garage, he has to clamp it and give you a Controlled Goods Notice listing the car.  Is the car worth much, they will  sometimes take or clamp a banger to pressure payment.

[AndyOrch]

I've heard that all Bailiff services have been put on suspension for the foreseeable......due to Corona V....not sure if its true cant find anything on the We b to substantiate.

[brassnecked]

Have been making enquiries, but Conwy Council are actively seeking Liability orders and were sending out bailiffs last week, not sure about magistrates contractor bailiffs like marstons. perhaps BankFodder can ask marstons.   They are likely going to have to suspend ocross the court system or the councils might go on a feeding frenzy with Liability orders, for  Council tax non payment through the crisis.

[MsDiamond]

Morning all! I hope you’re all safe and well
I received a reply From DVLA this morning.... which is absolutely useless... so the only thing I know is that at some point in 2018 my broken down car wasn’t insured and I have to pay a bailiff £1000 by the end of the week..... no paperwork, no dates, no idea which magistrates court it is in, no reference number from the bailiff... this just seems to be ridiculous!!