DVLA tax quick to take money but won’t issue refund

[firstcoffee3]

Maybe I’ve misunderstood the process? Anyone had the same thing?

I recently part exchanged my old car. The direct debit was taken on the 1st, and I sold my car on the 2nd. I arranged the direct debit for the new car on the same day, and the dealership notified the DVLA that they had taken ownership of my old car. I expected to receive a refund (dealership also said I would) for the tax paid on the 1st, but since I hadn’t heard anything, I called this morning and was told that I wouldn’t be getting a refund because they were notified the day after the payment was processed. I said “Yes, that’s because I still had to drive the car on the 1st as it wasn’t sold until the following day”

I asked whether this was a new policy or something, as I’ve owned several cars over the years and not had this issue before, but she couldn’t explain why and just kept repeating that I wouldn’t receive a refund. It seems mad to pay for something I’ve technically not used. Only £20, so not the end of the world but I still had to pay tax on the new car, so a bit of a joke imo!

I’m wondering if this is the reason… You get refunded for any FULL months that you no longer require the tax for that vehicle. If a full month is 1st to the 1st then 2nd to the 1st is not a full month so = no refund. I believe?

This. You only get refunded for full months so if you still had it on the 1st, no refund due unfortunately

Thanks all, I realised that after having a read on Google. The advisor didn’t explain it like that over the phone. I only had the car for a day before changing which is why I was annoyed. Honestly modern day con artists they are but I guess that’s the government for you. Oh well

Yes, they always work it to suit them. If you sold your old car on 1st Nov, you'd have to pay tax for it for all of Nov; but if you then had a hiatus and only bought your replacement car on 30th Nov, you would still have to pay tax for that car for all of Nov.

I remember when they sneaked this rule in and all the complaints about them effectively getting two months of tax for one car for a month every time a car is sold - both from the buyer and from the seller.

It's disgusting enough that they charge you more for paying monthly. I get it if it's a product/service that you buy from a commercial third-party who exist to make a profit; but it's disgraceful that the government also seeks to cash in from poorer people who can't front it all in one go.

Yes it’s full months only and always has been.