Insurance

[rita]

DVLA only need to show manufacture on "Reg docs", ie Mazda Ford etc, but the VIN needs to be on the Doc.

Stick your reg in here....

https://www.gov.uk/get-vehicle-information-from-dvla


This will be minus the VIN

[scanner]

Just used that and checked one of the cars in the household and got this.

6 month rate £99.00
12 month rate £180.00
6 monthly by direct debit totalling £94.50
12 monthly by direct debit totalling £180.00

Any idea why the 6 month rate by direct debit is lower than the "upfront" rate.

Yet the 12 month rates are the same?

[Simon Jones]

This is one of mine that I've just renewed:

6 month rate £156.75
12 month rate £285.00
6 monthly by direct debit totalling £149.63
12 monthly by direct debit totalling £285.00
Monthly by direct debit totalling £299.25 (Monthly payment of approximately £24.94)

Either way, pay for the full year in one hit and it's better value. You get a refund of the remaining complete months when you sell the vehicle anyway.

[scanner]

Surely in both cases 6 months by direct debit is cheaper?

£94.50 to £99.00 and £149.63 to £156.75

Or am I missing something obvious?

[Simon Jones]

Cheaper to pay by DD for 6 months, but still works out more expensive after a year than buying 12 months worth.

The answer to why 6 months DD is cheaper that 6 months cash is explained here in the proposal for abolition of paper tax discs. It doesn't explain the thinking behind it though:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... hanges.pdf

Currently, motorists can pay their VED either annually or in two equal six monthly payments. Payments can be made online, on the phone, at the Post Office, at localised Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) offices or by post to the DVLA Head Office. The new direct debit scheme will allow motorists to pay their VED either monthly, bi-annually or annually and enjoy the administrative convenience of having their licence renewed automatically.
At present, paying VED bi-annually attracts a surcharge of 10 per cent. Biannual and monthly payments made by direct debit will attract a lower 5 per cent surcharge.

[scanner]

I still can't see how, if it attracts a surcharge, is the "total" cheaper ?

For six months (which is all I want to tax the motorhome for - April to September) Why pay more up front, if you can pay as you go and end up paying less?

The rates for the motorhome
6 month rate £126.50
12 month rate £230.00
6 monthly by direct debit totalling £120.75
12 monthly by direct debit totalling £230.00

If it saves £5.75 (not a huge amount I know) why not pay by DD 6 monthly?

[Simon Jones]

If you only want to use the vehicle for 6 months, then in that instance, only paying for what you intend to use by DD is going to work out cheaper. Doing it that way but using it for year as the majority of folk do will cost £241.50 (2x £120.75) so would be £11.50 more than buying 12 months (£230).

Presumably, if you set up the 6 monthly DD then you have to remember to cancel it before the next installment is taken and then SORN it.

I don't understand the logic they have used either, but if you can make it work to your advantage then that's a bonus .

[scanner]

If you only want to use the vehicle for 6 months, then in that instance, only paying for what you intend to use by DD is going to work out cheaper. Doing it that way but using it for year as the majority of folk do will cost £241.50 (2x £120.75) so would be £11.50 more than buying 12 months (£230).

Presumably, if you set up the 6 monthly DD then you have to remember to cancel it before the next installment is taken and then SORN it.

I don't understand the logic they have used either, but if you can make it work to your advantage then that's a bonus .

Yes a year doesn't work out cheaper, but it is the cheapest way of buying 6 months other than buying a year and (and remembering to do it!) cashing it in.