untaxed car

[wendilla]

Our garages are in 2 rows facing one another and whenpeople leave cars outside there garage it is a little bit of a problem to get into your garage but the problem is not there.This guy buys and sells cars and when he leaves one in front of his garage it is a foot away from his door so that he can get in his garage therefor making it very difficult for me as i am across from him and also for neighbour.Ihave to reverse in and up the side of him to get to my garage.and this car of his is not taxed.Rang police they dont want to know.And please dont tell me to ask him as he is not a very nice man and he has also been in prison for assault.If there was a car parked at the next garage to him I wouldnt have a chance of getting in my garage.So should I put a note on his windscreen or what else can I do as no way do I want to leave my car outside.

[Didyman]

The Police were quite right. It is no longer their responsiblity unless a vehicle is causing an obstruction on the highway. They have far too many things to be doing without getting involved in car tax issues.

HOWEVER, the good news is that your local authority have a responsibility to deal with vehicles not displaying a current Vehicle Excise Licence. They work with the DVLA to remove them from the street.

If your garages are deemed "public" as opposed to "private" land the local authority will deal. If the land on which your garage is built is private you'll have to approach the Citizens Advice Bureau / a solicitor as this will have become a civil matter.

You might want to try ringing the DVLA in Swansea and getting their advice. They have an anonymous information line now for reporting untaxed vehicles but again, may not deal if it's private land.

Good luck with it.

[dotjhawkes]

Wait for there to be no car in front of his garage and then park yours the way he parks his, see how he likes it, put a sign on your garage dorr saying., 'keep clear, access required at all times'

[wendilla]

thanks for your answer diddyman. half of the houses in the street are private and half are council so would this be classed as private or public ground.I will ring the counci later and find out but as a matter of interest what do you think

[wendilla]

TO DOTJHAWKES yes I should love to do that but it would only cause problems for the rest of my neighbours

[buildersmate]

Half and half sounds like these were all councils houses originally, some of which have been bought by tenants over the years under the various right to buy schemes. That's more likely to make the garage forecourts public land, but its not definite. Are these garages rented?, if so from whom?, and did the owners who bought their houses also acquire a garage as part of the purchase (you may have a ask one if your own house is rented).

[wendilla]

Yes all these houses were council built and most have been bought over the years along with the garages .garages are half council and half private.I am trying to get through to right dept not getting much joy but will post reply when I do.

[gary baldy]

Even if it is 'private' he has to fill in a SORN form (Statutory off road notice - i think?) to tell DVLA that his car is off the road.
Wendilla - from your previous posts i am guessing you are a lady? Perhaps a polite word might be a good idea - he may be a ignorant scumbag but he may not be aware he is inconvienencing you. Dont get defensive - just ask nicely and if he gets shirty just walk away and play dirty through official channels - see the other recent post about fixing cars on the road.

[wendilla]

To gary baldy yes I am lady and it is because I live on my own that I havnt approached him.Every one is complaining but they wont do anything.We know he has a prison record for fighting as he was tagged for awhile It was reading the other post about fixing cars on road that prompted me to post this.He buys and sells old cars .I could leave my car about a foot from my garage then no one would get through and when they come to my door I tell them to go to him believe me its not worth the hassle and I dont want bad feelings with neighbours

[wendilla]

I have just got through to some woman at council and she said as long as it is in front of his garage and not dumped there there is nothing they can do and said put a note on it asking him to pull right up to garage.I still dont think this is right and I told her so why do people that keep there tax and everything in order have to put up with this.Will see if I can find e mail address for DVLA might get more response that way if they have not been imformed about it

[wendilla]

under dvla there is an anomymous form that you can fill in to report untaxed cars so I have done this also you can find details of your own car .I wont know the out come of this but at least I have done it till I get some better response at council.

[xrayspecs]

I wouldn't waste your time contacting the DVLA, they won't help. Despite their glossy adverts claiming they can now find un taxed cars under gooseberry bushes and in the backs of cupboards etc. etc. they're as blind and toothless as they ever were. The guy selling the cars is unlikely to be the registered keeper as far as the SORN is concerened so the DVLA are even more powerless than normal. The police are a waste of space as they have devolved all responsibility for practically everything to the local authorities, who won't act because they don't have the man power or the support from the police.

[wendilla]

Yes you probably are right that is why I didnt waste my money on a phone call.I have put a polite notice on his car and if that doest work I shall contact my local councellor.Thanks everyone for your interest in this.

[Jay70]

If the car isn't taxed and its on public ground then you can get it removed. If it has a SORN and its on public ground you can take action as it not 'OFF Road' and if its on private land with no tax or no SORN it is an offense. But these things can get nasty and I wouldn't recomend anything other than having a polite word with him but get someone to go woth you. If you do the same thing to him I'm afraid these type of people often think its ok for them to do it and but not you and dont think of anything from anyone elses point of view other than theirs. He might cause damage to your property or make your life a missery so be careful but you already sound aware of this. I do hope you get it sorted. I hate these type of people as they are an utter pain in the arse. It's a shame they cant all be put in one enclosed area together. I wish you luck.

[Kos]

Ring the DVLA on 0800 032 5202 with the reg. No, the make, model and colour.

I've reported a lot of cars this way and they do deal with them, although it can take a couple of months.

Basically they will send an inspector round.

[Kos]

Sorry - forgot to say- it's toally annonymous too

Q for regular AB'ers- is it possible to edit a message once posted or do you have to create a new entry like what I've just done??

[wendilla]

Thanks for that no. problem with that is as he buys and sells cars it will probably be gone at weekend but another will be there next week

[wendilla]

I have just had a call from the highways and by ways department from local council and it is being investigated, also looking into if he has informed council that he is running a business from home which I am 100% sure that he hasnt so hopefully there wont be any more cars parked there. Thanks everyone for your interest

[Grunty]

In my experience, many people who buy and sell cars using garages in this way, are also claiming benefits. If you drop a bit of information to the DSS and the tax office, it is not sneaky - it is saving my money and yours.

[Carol Anne]

Nice one Grunty!

[PhilLew]

Why don't you try talking to him instead of you (and all the neighbours) assuming the worst about him just because he has been in prison.

I would recomend you talk to him about cars, it's the one thing you know you have in common, ask him if he would mind having a look at your car, make somthing up that you thinks wrong with it (act like a helpless woman) make him a cup of tea while he's working on it and talk to him, then you will have a better idea of what kind of person he really is and you'll be in a better, non-confrontational position to ask him not to park in front of your garage, after all you are a woman driver and don't want to dent his cars!

You never know he might be quite helpful and cheaper than your local garage.