Looking for a car for my daughter and test drove one at week-end. Dealer happy to let me take it out on my own, which I like as it gives you more 'space'. Dealer didn't put the usual trade plates on and car had tax disc. However when I got back I noticed the tax had expired.
If I had been stopped by Mr Plod - driving an untaxed car, would I have been liable as I suppose the onus was on me to check this, or would the dealer be liable.
It's ok now as I didn't get pulled up but I'd be interested to hear opinions or actual legal position on this.
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More importantly,what insurance cover did you have,and to what level?
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I have a feeling that the legislation is moving towards the owner for RFL offences - easier for cameras etc.
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More importantly,what insurance cover did you have,and to what level?
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Fully comprehensive which allows me to drive another car ----- but ---- I think there is a condition that the 'other' car has to also be insured by the owner. I believe most car dealers havev a block policy that covers their stock.
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I believe mostcar dealers havev a block policy that covers their stock.
That could be a dangerous assumption. It is not unusual for dealers to have only third party cover or to self insure.
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>>Fully comprehensive which allows me to drive another car>>
This is often also available with TPFT cover.
As the vehicle involved doesn't belong to the original purchaser of the tax disc, then the sales outlet's block cover will/should certainly apply.
If the tax disc had any remaining months on it you can bet it would have been returned pronto for a refund of the unused period...:-)
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
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i think you will find you werent insured as how does the insurer know your history?on my policy you are only insured if i accompany you and you are over 21, trade plates go with named drivers only ,if you were stopped it would be no insurance no tax and the garage would be done for aiding and abeting in my opinion.
Most garages do not list all their stock on the abi site only the very larger ones,be warned next time........please
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If the tax disc had any remaining months on it you can bet it would have been returned pronto for a refund of the unused period...:-)
Does this mean that all cars on a forecourt are registered as SORN? In that case any test drive is illegal.
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Life is complex; it has real and imaginary parts.
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Does this mean that all cars on a forecourt are registered as SORN? In that case any test drive is illegal. ----
When a car is 'sold' to a trader/dealer etc you fill in the part on the Reg form Notifying of sale/transfer to Motor Trade/Insurer/Dismantler. This I beleive is different to SORN and DVLC just have the vehicle classifies as 'being in the motor trade' From what I understand they do not have the actual name of the trader recorded.
Overall, the subject of test drives is interesting. I have never been asked to produce my licence or anything else for that matter and usually when your testing a car your concentration is on the car itself and you tend not to worry or even think about the legalities involved.
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I thought the trade plates carried the RFL so it doesn't matter if the tax disc on the car is out of date.
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>I thought the trade plates carried the RFL so it doesn't matter if the tax disc on the car is out of date.
However OP did not have trade plates on his car. So he was not taxed. His fault. Driving without tax.
Insurance: he should have asked the garage. He may or may not have been insured - it would depend on the type of insurance the garage had.
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trade plates are indeed car tax on a stick but you cant lend them out nilly willy to prospective customers you have to be with them on a genuine car trial
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And if you get caught using Trade Plates incorrectly out comes the big,expensive stick.
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A number of insurance companies are removing the "drive other cars" cover from their policy,mainly at the request of the police who have seen it abused too frequently.
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Was not surprised to find the local Mazda dealer, asked for drivers licence, before Mrs V could test drive, prior to purchasing Mx5.
However, the need to sign a form agreeing to a £600 excess, should she have a bump, whilst doing so, was a bit off putting. But at least everyone knew where they stood.
funnily enough, though, when I had a test drive in the Pug dealership (same group) they didn't even ask my name!!
I took the car back, though - undamaged.
VB
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