VED musings

[woodieallen]

A conversation overheard at the Department for Transport .....

"Pretty clear that any Govt will have a revenue hole as petrol/diesels get phased out and the tax on fuel disappears. So what to do ? Only real alternative is pay-per-mile. But how does one know what that is for any vehicle ? " mused the Minister.

"The answer, Minister, is the mileage recorded at MOT time" said Smithers. "Well done, Smithers", said the Minister.

"Sir, sir, sir ?"...."Yes, Curmodgeon, what is it now ?" said the Minister. "What about classic cars, Minister? They are exempt from the MOT. The public will cry foul, Minister. Think about the bad press ? Two-tier and all that."

"Good point, Curmudgeon. Anyone have any ideas ?"

"Me, Sir...Me, Sir " cried A-Licker. "Why not pretend that the 'public' have been consulted about this and think that these cars are 'dangerous' and need testing?"

"Well done, A-Licker. Have a pretzel."

And so it came to pass. The results of the 'consultation' were released to the press but strangely enough no-one knew anyone or had read anything about the consultation. FOI enquiries fell on deaf ears.

You heard it here first.

 

[Jacob]

A conversation overheard at the Department for Transport .....

"Pretty clear that any Govt will have a revenue hole as petrol/diesels get phased out and the tax on fuel disappears. So what to do ? Only real alternative is pay-per-mile. But how does one know what that is for any vehicle ? " mused the Minister.

"The answer, Minister, is the mileage recorded at MOT time" said Smithers. "Well done, Smithers", said the Minister.

"Sir, sir, sir ?"...."Yes, Curmodgeon, what is it now ?" said the Minister. "What about classic cars, Minister? They are exempt from the MOT. The public will cry foul, Minister. Think about the bad press ? Two-tier and all that."

"Good point, Curmudgeon. Anyone have any ideas ?"

"Me, Sir...Me, Sir " cried A-Licker. "Why not pretend that the 'public' have been consulted about this and think that these cars are 'dangerous' and need testing?"

"Well done, A-Licker. Have a pretzel."

And so it came to pass. The results of the 'consultation' were released to the press but strangely enough no-one knew anyone or had read anything about the consultation. FOI enquiries fell on deaf ears.

You heard it here first.

Couldn't quite follow this. Are you saying that classic cars not requiring MOTs won't be taxable? Can't see why - they could be taxed on the fuel, on the mileage, flat rates, etc etc.

 

[paulrbarnard]

Couldn't quite follow this. Are you saying that classic cars not requiring MOTs won't be taxable? Can't see why - they could be taxed on the fuel, on the mileage, flat rates, etc etc.

It’s a conspiracy theory Jacob

 

[Lons]

They can't use the MOT anyway as it isn't required until the vehicle is 3 years old by which time many will have been sold on, some with high mileage. OK they could get it back by using a VAT type system with the garage as a collector if sold through the trade but that wouldn't work for private sales. Also would encourage the less than honest owner to "clock" the car.

Have you been on the wacky baccy over Christmas?

 

[John Brown]

What about cars less than 3 years old? Will they have to pay a lump sum after their first MOT?
Older exempt cars account for less than 1% of cars in the road, I believe, so fairly insignificant.

 

[paulrbarnard]

What about cars less than 3 years old? Will they have to pay a lump sum after their first MOT?
Older exempt cars account for less than 1% of cars in the road, I believe, so fairly insignificant.

To say nothing off the inevitable low mileage driven by those cars.