ATTACK OF THE CLONES: CAR CLONING IN LONDON RISES BY 50% IN ONE YEAR

ATTACK OF THE CLONES: CAR CLONING IN LONDON RISES BY 50% IN ONE YEAR

Cases of car cloning in London have risen by 50 per cent in just one year, with concerns that similar levels of cloning may be rife across the rest of the UK, according to official figures obtained by HonestJohn.co.uk.

The leading consumer motoring website analysed previously unseen Transport for London (TfL) data for the Congestion Charge zone and found that the number of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) being cancelled due to car cloning has soared.

In 2016 the number of PCNs cancelled on the grounds that the car was a clone was 1099; however, in 2017, this figure increased by 50 per cent with 1652 cases being recorded by TfL. Data for the first six months of 2018 show that car cloning continues to rise, with official figures up by a third on January - June 2017.

The true figure for the number of cloned cars on the road in London is thought to be much higher, given the complex and lengthy PCN appeals process and the fact that the Congestion Charge zone only operates Monday to Friday.

In the event of a PCN being issued due to a cloned car, the legitimately registered keeper will be required to provide evidence to satisfy the issuer of the ticket that their car was not at the time and place where the alleged offence occurred.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg,” said HonestJohn.co.uk’s Managing Editor, Daniel Powell. “On the grounds that it is down to the car owner to prove they are innocent, it would be safe to assume that the true figure for car cloning in London is significantly higher as many drivers will be unable supply the evidence TfL requires to cancel the PCN.

“For those involved, it can be a very frightening and stressful experience, because they will be threatened with crippling fines and court action if they cannot provide comprehensive proof that they were not on the capital’s roads. It also raises an important question - how many drivers simply pay the fine to avoid the stress?

“There are a number of steps car owners can take to protect themselves, with the most obvious one being photos of their car to show the subtle differences between the clone and legitimate vehicle. Legal number plates usually have the manufacturer’s logo on them, while the clones are usually blank. CCTV footage will also prove a car’s location at a certain time, along with footage from a dash camera with GPS tracking.”

As part of its detailed response to HonestJohn.co.uk’s FOI, TfL said: “Prior to issuing the PCN we manually verify that the image of the vehicle observed in the zone matches the vehicle information provided by the DVLA. Only when there is a match is a penalty issued. At the point of issuing the penalty, we would not know if a vehicle had been cloned. 

“On receipt of the penalty, a motorist can follow the representations and appeals procedure and challenge a PCN. If we receive a representation stating a vehicle has been cloned we request evidence to confirm this.”

The Congestion Charge zone is enforced by a network of roadside automatic number plate recognition cameras (commonly known as ANPR), which record the registration and image of each vehicle as it enters and leaves the zone. Drivers that do not pay the London Congestion zone fee are sent a PCN for £130, which they need to pay within 28 days. TfL usually reduces the penalty to £65 if it is paid within 14 days.

Source: HONEST JOHN

LONDON LAW FIRM HEALYS LLP SENDS SERIOUS WARNING TO THE CLASSIC AND COLLECTORS CAR WORLD

CLASSIC TORQUE

FROM CLASSIC CHATTER

LONDON LAW FIRM HEALYS LLP SENDS SERIOUS WARNING TO THE CLASSIC AND COLLECTORS CAR WORLD

More deliberation and responsibility needs to be brought to transactions by dealers, buyers and sellers in the classic car world, say London Solicitors Healys LLP. Following the distressing news which was announced yesterday of the appointment of administrators to the troubled historic car sales, restoration and preparation business JD Classics which had publically been perceived as a beacon in the sector.

Clive Robertson leader of the firm’s classic car group said: “The administrators, Alvarez & Marsal are reportedly hoping to find a buyer for the business. In the meanwhile, there will be considerable concern amongst a diverse group of parties who will be affected, including staff, investors, lenders, trading partners and not least, those with cars at the Mayfair and Maldon premises for sale or restoration.”

Clive expanded upon the issues faced by JD, and by extension their customers and suppliers: “There had been rumours of financial irregularity at the business which were apparently confirmed in March of this year when judgement in the case of Michael Tukes v JD Classics was given, there being several cases lodged by the same claimant still pending. It may be some time before the full picture emerges, so it could be premature to be seeking to know what lessons, if any, can be learnt, but it may be no more simple than saying, that in such a relatively new and fast-growing industry, balance and reason may have been left behind, so that more deliberation and responsibility needs to be brought to transactions by dealers, buyers and sellers.”

Clive concluded by re-stating that due diligence simply has to be the key in such high value and high profile activities: “There has probably not been a more important time to make use of skilled and established legal advice. You’d not buy a house without a conveyancing solicitor, so why spend, potentially, more money without similar professional advice and guidance?”

LEVC TX MAKES ROYAL PALACE DEBUT AT CONCOURS OF ELEGANCE 2018

CLASSIC TORQUE

FROM CLASSIC CHATTER

LEVC TX MAKES ROYAL PALACE DEBUT AT CONCOURS OF ELEGANCE 2018

• The world’s most advanced electric taxi made its debut appearance at the Concours of Elegance this weekend
• LEVC TX provided a VIP shuttle service at Hampton Court Palace garden party rubbing shoulders with some of the world’s rarest cars
• New TX was also represented on the Concours live stage alongside fellow Geely Group brand, Lotus

03 September 2018, Hampton Court, London:

The world’s most-advanced electric taxi, the LEVC TX, enjoyed a Royal reception at the weekend by supporting the prestigious Concours of Elegance car show held at Hampton Court Palace.

Hosted by Prince Michael of Kent, the Concours of Elegance, which raises huge sums for charity each year, saw 13,000 motoring enthusiasts flock to the gardens of Hampton Court Palace to enjoy some of the rarest motoring exotica in the world.

VIPs and dignitaries from all over the world were in attendance, many showing examples from their own car collections, and on hand to shuttle special guests of the show in and around Hampton Court Palace, was the zero-emission capable LEVC TX. 

Invited by the organisers as an iconic British design and a widely-recognised image of London globally, the new TX was also presented on the Concours live stage alongside fellow UK automaker and part of the Geely Group, Lotus.

LEVC’s TX is a range-extended electric vehicle – which means the vehicle is only ever driven by its powerful electric motor. However, there is a small petrol engine onboard which can top-up the battery, should the driver be unable to charge. This technology gives drivers a range of up to 377 miles and a zero-emissions range of 80 miles.