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Original poster

'Secret' tax for family cars - surely not fair?

108 replies

Maiakins · 30/04/2008 10:35

I couldn't believe it when I read in the Times this morning about the new road tax rules to include cars up to seven years old. This means we'll be paying £300 next year for our used 2003 Ford Galaxy and £455 the following year onwards.

See 'Secret tax adds £200 to cost of running family cars' - driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/article3842848.ece?Submitted=true

It makes me mad as if you have 3 or more young children and need 3 infant car seats, these cars are the only models that suit. This is especially true if you have twins/triplets and need to fit in a double buggy. It isn't ethically right to backdate a tax to a decision we now have no influence over. Fair enough to tax cars from 2006 onwards when the law was introduced and people were aware, but what are we supposed to do if we already have the car? Urgh!!!!!!!

I've been a Labour voter all my life and this is the last straw!

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 30/04/2008 12:50

ours doesn't fit three seats.

so, if we want to go out all five of us, we'll have to take two cars.

thankfully, DD1 will be getting free transport to school in August and DD2 will be starting nursery early and getting transport for it.

sarah293 · 30/04/2008 12:51

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expatinscotland · 30/04/2008 12:53

did you use an Isofix seat, riven?

i'm really curious.

we've got a p-reg Vauxhall Astra.

i think it might fit an Isofix in the middle.

the middle seat hasn't got a lap belt.

DD1's in a booster with a back on it. now technically she could get away with just the booster, as she is 48 inches tall. BUT she is quite slim and slender-framed.

do you think a shop would let us just try one to see if it fits first?

an isofix, i mean.

dc3 is going to have to go in the middle.

DaisySteiner · 30/04/2008 12:57

I hope nobody's under any illusions that this will actually help reduce carbon emissions, this is just another Labour Tax hike.

JT · 30/04/2008 12:59

what's the bet that MP's will shimmy out of this one, probably don't pay it at all

scotsgirl · 30/04/2008 13:12

You CAN fit three seats into smaller cars - I've done it with a Focus (it's a squash, but possible).
I think it's perfectly reasonable to have an environmental tax on big cars, and if you don't want to pay it, you can:

squash yourself into a smaller car
don't have all your children so close together
don't have so many kids in the first place
take the bus

(I know the OP was complaining about the back-dating of the tax, and on this point I agree it's unfair, but really, it pisses me off that all you MPV owners, who take up loads more space and cause loads more pollution than smaller car owners are so unwilling to be at all accountable for your actions. If you want a large family, then be willing to pay the price for it.)

sarah293 · 30/04/2008 13:19

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expatinscotland · 30/04/2008 13:20

k, that's the situation we're looking at, riven.

i think we'll just go down to halfords and ask.

sarah293 · 30/04/2008 13:20

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sarah293 · 30/04/2008 13:25

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SheikYerbouti · 30/04/2008 13:26

Nice judgy post there, scotsgirl

I think this is a very unfair tax

Not everyone lives close to decent public transports (I certainly don't) Not everyone lives in an area safe enough to use public transport, and not everybody plans when their children are going to be born.

expatinscotland · 30/04/2008 13:28

we don't live near public transport.

and it's a loooong way to town.

13 miles in fact.

and there are not pavements for a lot of it.

and no, i have no interest in moving to a city. i like the people here and we can't afford to live in a city.

SheikYerbouti · 30/04/2008 13:30

I live in a small city. The public transport is SHIT.

Original poster
Maiakins · 30/04/2008 13:31

I should reiterate here ... that it is especially unfair for parents with twins/triplets. We tried all other alternatives, but the big cars were the only ones that fit the 2 baby car seats plus one for our older child plus double buggy.

As for child tax credit, if you have twins/triplets etc ... you don't get more than 1 baby element. i.e. you get paid the same whether you have 1 baby or 2/3/4 babies.

The most important point for me though is I really think it is unfair to backdate a tax. Are we supposed to go and sell our cars now and buy a new cleaner car? That doesn't make any sense for the environment!

OP posts:
SheikYerbouti · 30/04/2008 13:31

There is already a pay as you drive tax, it's called fuel duty! (which makes up the majority of the cost)

SheikYerbouti · 30/04/2008 13:32

Agree with twins/triplets thing

what are you meant to do if you have triplets? Give up one at birth?

mankyscotslass · 30/04/2008 13:36

Scotsgirl

Tried the Focus Cmax. DH has PsA and I have a bad back. Due to the configuration needed on the combination of car seats we both ended up in agony trying to get kids in and out.

Number 3 was unplanned, yes we know how babies are made but other than abstenance no contraception is 100%

Bus...are you having a laugh? For DH to get to work would be two buses and he would be leaving the house before kids were up and back after they were in bed. No trains to his work either. Great public transport system. And we do actually live in the suburbs of a big city!

sarah293 · 30/04/2008 13:36

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scotsgirl · 30/04/2008 13:36

SY - Not relying on cars is important to me, so I've always chosen to live within walking distance of a train station (i.e. under 2 miles). I am willing to compromise on the house I live in in order to do this. It's about getting a balance for me.

It is also perfectly possible to plan when your children will be born - it's not rocket science. Let's face it, a lot of people choose to have their kids close together.

If you don't want to do these sorts of things and so as a result you feel the need for a large car, then accept that it will cost you more. That's all I am saying.

mankyscotslass · 30/04/2008 13:37

Riven, there is an additional element for the first year of a childs life, after which the payment drops to the standard levels.

sarah293 · 30/04/2008 13:41

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winebeforepearls · 30/04/2008 13:42

Gosh yes, I should have aborted my second dd

sarah293 · 30/04/2008 13:43

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SheikYerbouti · 30/04/2008 13:45

Not everybody has your choices though.

We live in our house because it's all we can afford. It's on the outskirts of our city

My children, born 20 months apart were not planned - and what about those who have multiple pregnancies?

This cost will affect families who probably can't afford it.

Life isn't always a choice.

Nagapie · 30/04/2008 13:45

I don't mind paying road tax and could swallow this unfair tax if I knew that this tax was being earmarked and used to improve the roads and transport systems, but unfortunately, a large percentage of it just seems to be wasted and spent to plug holes because no-one in the govt is able to stick to budget or economise...

Perhaps if the schools in our area were up to standard and not so oversubscribed I wouldn't have to drive my child across town!!