DVLA WEBSITE STILL MISSING 42 MARQUES!
Latest online gaffe means owners have problems with MoTs, insurance and tax
Classic owners are ‘banging their heads against a wall’ because the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is refusing to add more than 40 missing marques to its online database.
The Swansea agency is currently spending £2m on revamping its internet facilities – but despite being approached on several occasions by both the Standard Motor Club and the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs, it has declined to update its online Vehicle Enquiry System to include Alvis, Gilbern, Standard and other classic names.
The Standard Motor Club claims the discrepancy causes problems for classic owners dealing with tax, insurance and MoT-related enquiries, but the list has so far not been updated by the DVLA.
Classic owners are ‘banging their heads against a wall’ because the DVLA is refusing to add more than 40 missing marques to its online database.
Currently the agency’s Vehicle Enquiry System – used to process millions of online enquries – doesn’t recognise marques including Alvis, Armstrong-Siddeley, Gilbern and Standard, which creates difficulties for owners dealing with tax, insurance and MoT-related enquiries.
The DVLA is currently spending £2m on revamping its online facilities – but despite being approached on several occasions by both the Standard Motor Club and the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs has declined to add the missing marques.
Standard Motor Club committee member Paul Newsome says: ‘Despite numerous letters and phone calls the DVLA is refusing to add these cars to the list, and as far as they’re concerned we’re wasting our time asking.
‘With so much of the DVLA’s business being conducted online it does cause
problems. I’m aware of one of our members who had to get in touch over an insurance matter, and had a lot of trouble trying to persuade the person at the other end of the phone that their car wasn’t an Austin or a Morris.’
Since CCW reported on the problem last year (18 Feb 2015) only French supercar maker Venturi, and Abarth and Noble – both of which have ramped up their new car production over the past year – have been added to the Vehicle Enquiry System.
The DVLA says it is aware a number of car names are not included on its website. Spokesman David Whitbread says: ‘The list is kept to the most popular makes and models but we are looking to improve the service based on feedback we receive.
‘With these particular marques they might not be on the drop-down menus on the website but owners should still be able to use the system if they input their cars’ details manually.’
The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs says the issue remains unresolved
but is still on its agenda, and that there hasn’t been much progress since the organisation’s last meeting with Swansea’s representatives.
Legislation director Bob Owen says: ‘In respect of a number of historic vehicles the Vehicle Enquiry System is currently not fit for purpose as a modern Government customer-facing digital system.
‘It ought not to beyond the wit of man for the Government database of vehicles
on the British Register to be correct. Apparently it is beyond the wit of the people in DVLA. We will continue to energetically batter our heads against this difficult wall.’
If you own a classic and have encountered problems because it isn’t recognised by the DVLA’s online database, get in touch with us and we’ll pass on your concerns to the FBHVC.