[Danny]

I am looking to leave Motability to purchase my own car.  I qualify for VAT exemption however I am hitting a brick wall trying to get dealers to accept the exemption and process the required paperwork with HMRC, with a few telling me I have to claim the VAT back myself, which I think is incorrect based on the government guidance.

Has anyone left the scheme and purchased with VAT exemption and if so can they give any advice?  Which dealers/manufacturers are more willing to deal with it?

Thanks.

Topic

[Glos Guy]

Danny – I am wondering if you might be misunderstanding the VAT exemption rules? People aren’t VAT exempt, purchases are. In order to buy a car VAT free, the car has to have permanent and substantial adaptations, such as push-pull hand controls. If you search the forum there have been a few threads on this. Here’s the official guidance;

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vat-relief-on-adapted-motor-vehicles-for-disabled-people-and-charities-notice-1002

[volkswin]

We purchased a new vehicle a few years ago with the vat exemption.

Basically the delaer should invioce you vehicle with the VAT  deducted at source.

You will need to complete a VAT exemption form and submit this to the dealer at the time of the purchase.

As Glos Guy said the vehicle requires permenent adaptions to be fitted such as hoists / hand controls etc a steering ball for instance would not count, though the guidance is a bit vague.

 

[Danny]

I agree the government guidance is a bit vague but I require hand control adaptations, am a wheelchair user etc.

I have shared the guidance with a few dealers but they are unwilling to invoice with the VAT deducted, basically because they think it’s too much hassle.  I have said I can provide evidence to support the exemption form but they are still unwilling to budge.

Volkswin which manufacturer did you purchase from?

[Jojoe]

Go to the manufacturer’s head office. It’s you right to get a vehicle vat free, if the dealer can’t be arsed to process a VAT1615A that could be seen as indirect discrimination.

[Rbdo]

If it was me I would 1. Make 100% sure of my preferred vehicle. 2. Present the government guidelines, my entitlement and VAT exemption form (if appropriate at this point of order), and ask for a quote sans VAT. 3. If they refuse to quote me/serve me, tell them I will be composing to the head UK office of disability discrimination and leave. 4. Email the dealership management/complaints manager the details of the exchange thus far – and copies of guidelines and paperwork – and that I am providing written notice of the escalation of my complaint to UK head office of said company, and taking legal advice if necessary, if they cannot provide a satisfactory resolution within one working week. 5. If I get no VAT-free quote, follow through on all of the above.

That’s speaking personally. If you have a legal right, for the most part, pressing it comes out in your favour.

[Danny]

Thanks for the advice

[volkswin]

Danny wrote:

Volkswin which manufacturer did you purchase from?

Vuaxhall a few years back, its your right to purchase with the VAT exemption don’t know why the dealers are being arsey its no extra work on their part.

You dont even need to complete the exemption form a hand written notice of VAT exemption is all you need.

 

[Author]

Replies