SORN outstanding tax

[BobJones]

Hi all,

 

I forgot to SORN my 2nd car.

Long story short a debt collector phoned me saying I owed the DVLA £80.

I called the DVLA and I did indeed have an £80 fine.

The car has been off the road in my garage for 14 months, its insured but no MOT for 12 months either as I have not been driving it. 

 

I paid the £80, no issue there as I was my own fault.

Then the woman on the phone asked if I wanted to pay my tax balance, insinuating that I owe 14 months of tax for a car that has been siting in my garage. Bottom line is I am not in a position to pay £400 at this time of the year, so I said no.

I then asked if I would get fined again, and she said no as I am now SORN.

I said well what about the outstanding money, and TBH she was clear as mud!

She sent me an email, which again, was clear as mud.

 

Has anyone had any experience with this?

Its a joke that they want to charge me £400 in tax for a car that has been off the road.

The whole thing seems like a racket to me, its not really rocket science...

If someone doesn't tax their car in a given time then just auto SORN the thing.

Of course then they couldn't charge people £500 in road tax and fines for a car that's been no where near the road. 

[dx100uk]

all you should have done was sorn it, there is no need for MOT nor Insurance if it is on private land.

NOTE - DVLA Cannot Prosecute After 6 Months - DVLA - Consumer Action Group

 

 

[Man in the middle]

4 hours ago, BobJones said:

If someone doesn't tax their car in a given time then just auto SORN the thing.

What you are asking them to do is to undertake the duty that you have. All vehicles must either be taxed or SORNd. The decision is yours but you have an obligation to do one or the other.

 

Alas you will be unable to take advantage of the six month time limit on prosecutions. The offence you have committed is not failing to tax your car. If it was, that would have occurred the day after it expired and you could not be prosecuted beyond six months after that date. The offence you have committed is keeping a vehicle that has been neither taxed nor SORNd. It is a continuous offence and is committed all the time your car is not taxed or SORNd (in your case from the date your tax expired until your SORN was accepted). You are liable to prosecution until six months after that date. 

 

You need to sort this out with the DVLA and if they do not make it clear to you ask to speak to somebody who will explain it to you. I don't know if the DVLA will accept a payment plan but they are entitled to collect the unpaid tax from you. If you don't pay it you will almost certainly see yourself prosecuted for the offence.

Edited January 12, 2021 by Man in the middle