DVLA and debt collectors are threatening me.

[MementoMori]

I will try and make this as concise as possible but as is often the case, this whole thing is a complete faff.

July 2012
CB500 gets stolen.
Police notified, insurers notified, paperwork (V5, insurance, MOT etc) sent to insurers.

August
Letter from DVLA fining me, saying I've not taxed or SORN'd the bike. (tax ran out in insurer's possession) Rang DVLA, told them it had been stolen. They say they've had no word off the police/insurers. After a bit of a heated exchange, they decide to drop the fine.

Sept/Oct
We decide that we will buy the bike back.

November
I am in New Zealand, visiting family. The insurance company drop off the bike at the property while my partner is at work. They do not leave any paperwork and are still in possession of the V5 as of today 23.01.2013.

3 days later, the bike gets nicked again, this time the door is kicked in on a locked, brick enclosure. I'm still in NZ at this point.

December 2012
I come home.

January 2013.
Bike is recovered again, completely burnt out. I incur the recovery costs (200 quid+) because the bike was uninsured when it was nicked again.

Yesterday.
I get a letter from the DVLA/Inter-Credit International demanding 80 quid for keeping an unlicensed vehicle.

---------------

So, I settled this verbally with the DVLA last year, and NOW I'm getting threats from debt collectors re. unlicensed bike. Yet even if wanted to SORN it, I can't because the insurers have the V5. My partner had a massive rant at the debt collectors down the phone. They didn't budge, but now they know we've made contact with them. I have prepared a letter contesting them.

Has anybody else been in this situation before?

https://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a312/ilikeforks/photo5_zps9c08bd52-1_zps5326b747.jpg
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The tiger who came for a pint

[stinkwheel]

Ignore it, throw it in the bin, say no more about it.

It is a meaningless fishing expedition until such time as you are served court papers (actual court papers with a summons). I would suggest you file it in the big green file with wheels on and think no more about it.

There is absolutely no point in trying to enter into discussions with the debt collectors about it. If they collect the money they get paid, if they don't collect the money they get nothing. Absolutely nothing you say will make them turn round and say "Oh that's alright then, you don't have to pay it.".

If you enter into a discussion with them, you are only confirming you received their correspondance and are worried about it, this is their cue to pester you further, nothing you say will make them go away. Ignore them totally, if they phone, hang up.

Wait for them to take you to court and present your case there. It will not get that far. I have personally binned well into double figures of those letters over the last 8-10 years and nothing has ever come of it.

They will send several more letters. I'm currently ignoring the fuck out of two lots of them for two different bikes I didn't bother re-insuring.

Of course, if the bike is now the property of an insurance company following a total loss claim, tell them this in writing once, send it recorded, keep a copy then carry on with the above advice. If it gets as far as court, they'll have egg on their face.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[LordShaftesbu...]

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=234637

[MementoMori]

Thanks Stinkwheel.

Your info is proper sound, and good to hear from somebody who has been putting up with the little shits for years. It's pretty shocking when you get one for the first time. At least for someone like me who still holds on to the lie that companies aren't actually legally allowed to try and fleece you.

As ever, it's much appreciated, thanks for helping me out.
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The tiger who came for a pint

[Rogerborg]

Normally, what stinkwheel said.

However, since you've already been honest/daft enough to contact the collector ghouls though, I'd suggest that you write them one letter saying that as they're very well aware, no debt exists, and they should kindly cease and fuck off.

Then on the next contact, complain to the FOS about them.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[MementoMori]

Thank you Rogerborg.

Another member of this forum did an astounding job of working out a letter with me that says just that. I am sending it off today.
____________________
The tiger who came for a pint

[Rogerborg]

Glad to hear it. "Fuck off and desist" would be an acceptable variant.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike