Grarg HULK SMASH!

Right, so remember I sold my car? I had been meaning to post off the log book to the DVLA for ages, and finally got around to it a couple of weeks ago. Well, this morning I got a letter from the DVLA saying thanks, we've updated our details. This evening I got home to find a red card from the post office, requiring me to sign for a delivery. So I worked out I had just enough time and got the delivery, which turned out to be a letter sent by registered post from a company who had recovered the car on the 3rd Oct and wanted ~£470 pounds for the recovery and storage costs..!!

Remembering the DVLA adverts telling you that you're liable for your car until you inform the DVLA that it's been transferred I started really stressing that I was going to have to cough up with this money. After a number of fraught phone calls and Skype calls, I finally managed to track down that:

1. The DVLA's automated phone system is tortuous (but we knew that anyway)
2. They go by the date written on the form, not the date they received the form - HOORAY!
3. The guy had broken down on the M40 (not crashed)
4. kissycat1000 had his details buried in an email somewhere, so I was able to get the details to the company almost straight away
5. That the DVLA and the recovery company are open until at least 7:30pm (thank god, that's saved my night's sleep)
6. I'm quite glad I didn't sell the car to a friend after all.

I knew it was on the way out, that's why I sold it. Even though, I have to admit a little surprise that it broke down so soon after selling it, as we'd been to London and back in it shortly before I sold it. I wonder what they did (or didn't do) to it.

I think I'm 95% happy I'm off the hook. But f'ing hell. If anyone sells a car, post the slip the same damn day, or risk all sorts of pain and misery.

Right, I'm off to have dinner, have a shower and try to relax and enjoy the rest of my evening.

This announcement brought to you by the letters A and C and the number 4.