This was heading for the rant thread till a massive, unexpected u-turn in the goodwardly direction this afternoon:
I bought a used BMW about six months ago. I paid slightly over the odds for because i bought it from a BMW dealership rather than privately 'for peace of mind'.
The tax disc* ran out last week so I went online to buy a new one but I couldnt find the log book anywhere. Assuming I'd just lost it, I spent a fun hour turning the house upside down looking for it. Then I phoned the DVLA and asked what to do, they said to fill out a couple of forms and drive 50 miles to my nearest DVLA office and they'd order a new one.
Except when I got there (in Mrs Mikes' car) they wouldnt because I wasnt the registered owner - it still shows on the system as belonging to the bloke who sold it to the garage... The DVLA have to write to him, check he no longer has the car and it hasnt been pinched, then they'll issue me a new V5 and let me buy a tax disc*. This could take six weeks, during which I cant use the car. ARSE.
They also said I should speak to the dealer..
So I did, expecting to be told it was my fault for losing the tear off bit of the V5 or the DVLAs fault for screwing up and there was nothing they could do, but I was completely wrong - they've admitted full responsibility and are lending me a car as long as I need it, they've even offered to put my car in their secret underground bunker on their insurance because it's not covered by mine while it's untaxed
the sales guy organising all this is earning himself a bottle of whiskey, it would have been easy for them to fob me off and do nothing but they really do seem to be trying to help. I guess they know they've screwed up by not sending all the forms off and want to keep me happy...
* - I know, I know - it's 'Road Fund Licence'
