Latest news with #webuyanycar
The Guardian
26-03-2025
- Automotive
- The Guardian
I tried to sell my car but was told it had been written off
Last summer I took my old Kia to a branch of the car broker webuyanycar to sell, only to discover that its database showed a car with my registration number had been 'written off' and an insurance claim paid out. This came as a shock. I have not been in an accident nor made any claims. I called up my insurer, which confirmed there was nothing on its records, and it told me to call the policy underwriter. Initially the underwriter said it had no record of a claim either. However, after it consulted a national database, it could see that in February 2024 one had been paid out on my car. It gave me the insurer's name – 1st Central – and the claim number. However, when I called up, the company told me it had never insured a car with that registration and did not have any record of the claim. I then contacted Bedfordshire police, who directed me to Action Fraud. However, their emailed reply told me that the matter 'cannot be classified as a police recorded crime' and said I needed to contact the DVLA. The DVLA told me to write them a formal letter and promised to get back to me in six to eight weeks. Obviously that did not happen, so I chased them and was eventually told by someone in the fraud team that my licence plate had been cloned and they were 'looking into it'. This all means that I'm left with a car I can't sell and no end in sight. At best I'll get scrap for it. I can't understand how someone can circumvent me and my insurer to fraudulently claim my car is a write-off and pocket the cash. Can you help? TL, Leighton Buzzard You have been round the houses trying to solve this mystery, and your dealings with the DVLA were frustrating to say the least. Initially I thought I was investigating car cloning (where criminals copy another car's registration plates) but the truth proved more mundane. When I contacted 1st Central, it sprang into action and soon discovered that a typo had resulted in your car being mistakenly consigned to the scrapheap. A 1st Central spokesperson told me that initially it had been unable to help because you had been given the wrong claims reference number. 'We have subsequently investigated and found that human error meant an incorrect vehicle registration number was inputted into the write-off database. This highly rare anomaly occurred because the make, model and registration were almost an exact match for another vehicle. We have now corrected this and offered TL compensation.' You have accepted the £560, which includes £110 to cover depreciation over the nine months it took to resolve this. We welcome letters but cannot answer individually. Email us at or write to Consumer Champions, Money, the Guardian, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Please include a daytime phone number. Submission and publication of all letters is subject to our terms and conditions.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Major car tax changes coming from April
Major changes to the UK's car tax system are just around the corner and they could mean heftier charges for some vehicles. Motorists are being urged to get clued up on the new rules to understand how their wallets might be affected. Do you think the new car tax hikes are fair? Have your say in our comments section The revisions kicking in from April could sway buying decisions, particularly when it comes to new motors. To keep abreast of all the latest driving news, why not subscribe to our newsletter here? READ MORE: The London boroughs with the most rough sleepers as number hits post-pandemic high READ MORE: The posh commuter village Londoners are desperate to move to Vehicle excise duty is set to go up for some new models, especially those with higher emissions, as part of a push to steer people towards greener or electric options. New petrol and diesel cars that emit more than 76g/km of CO2 will see their first-year tax rates double. For example, if you buy a new car that emits between 76-90g/km, you'll be slapped with a £270 fee, and the cost rockets for more polluting vehicles. Usually, vehicle tax is highest for new cars in their first year on the road before dropping to the standard annual rate of £195. Those thinking about splashing out on a new car need to factor in these extra costs, Birmingham Live reports. In a significant change, owners of electric vehicles will be required to pay ehicle tax for the first time. Richard Evans, a spokesperson for the car buying website webuyanycar, remarked: "For vehicles running on diesel or petrol emitting over 76g/km of CO2, the first-year tax will double compared to the current rate." He continued, "Even electric vehicles aren't exempt. From April 1, 2025, EVs will no longer be exempt from road tax, and their £0 first-year rate will rise to £10 for people buying an EV after April 2025." However, budgeting expert Beth Turbutt-Rogers has revealed a clever trick for electric vehicle (EV) owners to avoid the increase in road tax from 2025. As EV drivers prepare for the new road tax charges from April 1, Beth disclosed a smart loophole that could grant them an additional year without the cost. She suggested: "Go on to the government's website and renew your car tax even if you're not due to do this until the end of the year." By strategically planning the renewal, Beth explains, drivers can extend their "totally free" tax period. Sharing her personal success with her Tiktok followers, Beth said: "Mine isn't due until November, but I've just been online and taxed my car for another year from today and it means I won't have to pay any tax until February 2026." Do you think the new car tax hikes are fair? Have your say in our comments section
