Don't Forget to Pay Your Taxes In Wales
I had no idea that Wales had such a problem with people not paying their automobile taxes. According to walesonline.co.uk thousands more cars were seized due to non-payment this year compared with last. They are reporting that “8,240 vehicles clamped in Wales between April 2007 and 2008, compared with 4,990 in the previous year.” The amazing thing is that it isn’t all junker cars being clamped either. Apparently 533 BMWs, 286 Mercedes, 27 Lexus and 16 Porsches have all been seized by the authorities.
Beyond the mere seizure of vehicles is the fact that many more vehicles are being disposed of or destroyed: “1,840 between April 2006 and 2007 to 2,469 the following year.” Pretty alarming numbers. They further report that only around 40% of seized vehicles are ever reclaimed by their owners. According to Bethan Beasley, the DVLA’s national wheel clamping manager:
“They are sometimes crushed or go to auction but we have started a scheme in the last 12 months that involves giving these unclaimed vehicles to police forces and the fire service. This has been especially popular in Wales.” (Source walesonline.co.uk)
So a word to the wise, if you live in Wales, pay your taxes! It seems a shame that such a large number of vehicles are being destroyed or are being moved by car shippers or auto transporters to fire departments and police stations to be destroyed.
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