Salvage Wire

Salvage Wire
Helping Automotive recyclers become leaders in their industry

Thursday 16 September 2010

Conversation with DVLA

I rang the DVLA yesterday to get advice on how to scrap my car. I did this in the guise of an ordinary car owner.

Unfortunately the guy at the DVLA defaulted immediately to the classic DVLA line "Just fill out section 9 and send it to us"
I quoted what it said on the new V5c where it says You cannot use the V5c to tell us that you have scrapped your vehicle.
He advised me to fill out section 9 and the DVLA would remove me as owner of the vehicle and "put it to trade".
This appears to be a state of limbo where vehicles go, many of which may be scrapped.

I asked him about a COD .
He said "Well you could get one of those if you wish"
I asked" where from ?"
He went away for a while and came back to inform me that "there was a list on the Internet somewhere."

I asked if getting a COD would end my responsibilities as owner.
He said "not necessarily and the only way to to do this was to fill out section 9 and tell us that you are no longer the keeper.

I asked him why?, given that it said on the V5c that the DVLA were not allowing the use of the V5c to tell of a scrapped vehicle.

He infomed me "well not all scrapyards issue these certificates and in any case the certificate does not always immediately end your responsibility for the vehicle".

To hear this from someone who is there to inform the public as to the correct procedure for legally scrapping ones motor vehicle was to say the least disheartening.

To sum up.
The tick box is gone and this is a good thing, but the filling in of section 9 and the strange wording on the back of the new V5cs will maintain some of the Non CoD loopholes.
If all you have to do is put any name on section 9 of the V5c then the unlicensed will continue to find ways around the system and the UK will end up with millions of un recorded scrap vehicles which the DVLA have put "out to trade"

If my phone call is anything to go by we are far from home and dry with the DVLA.
They continue to send out confusing messages to vehicle owners. Granted it will take time for the full effect of the new V5c but perhaps we should be looking for further assurance form the DVLA that their staff at least understand the law re ELVs.

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