Cherished Number Plates News

Motor Dealers Scorned with SORN

01 December 2008

The Retail Motor Industry federation (RMIF) sought to end confusion this week by confirming that dealers will not be able to claim VED refunds on statutory off the road (SORN) stock from January. They will have to complete a SORN declaration for that to happen, but that does not then entitle a dealer to apply for a VED refund. Only the owner of the car or ‘registered keeper’ can apply.

Dealers have contacted the AM website seeking clarification after a number of announcements were made and followed by misleading press reports. The confusion came after new rules and regulations were announced to come into effect on first of January next year.

NFDA director Sue Robinson said: “Dealers will still be able to use trade plates on second-hand stock following the new rules relating to part-exchanges and pre-registered demonstrators. And motor retailers will not be required to register ownership of vehicles while they are on site.”

They announcement stated that dealers could only use trade plates on vehicles in their temporary possession and not on permanent vehicles.

Robinson said: “Customers who trade-in cars and apply for a VED refund should notify the DVLA that the vehicle has been disposed of into the trade. They should not make a SORN declaration. Then, the dealer can use the car under trade plates.”

However, confusion and anger with the authorities on the subject of plates is not confined to the trade side of things. Most recently, people in France successfully won a battle with the government about changing the French registration system. Officials there wanted to replace the current scheme where each area has a corresponding number. People protested online and in the streets, eventually causing that in-charge of the new scheme to back down. The French said that their numbers represent their heritage and can often mean the difference between being well treated or hated on the roads, Parisians being the least favourite.