Hundreds of untaxed vehicles clamped in Oldham last year

Numbers released by the DVLA show that between June 2023 and this year, 677 cars were untaxed in the seven postcodes in the borough.

The numbers show that the OL4 postcode, which covers Lees, Grotton, Watersheddings, Springhead, Lydgate, Grasscroft and Scouthead, had the most untaxed cars, with 211.

At the other end of the spectrum, the fewest number of untaxed cars were found in OL3, which covers Delph, Greenfield, Uppermill, Diggle, Dobcross and Denshaw, where only 10 cars were clamped.

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The Failsworth area also had a low number of untaxed cars, with just 22, while the OL2 area, covering Royton and Shaw, also had under 100 clamped vehicles, with 93.

A spokesperson for the DVLA said: “Whilst over 98 per cent of vehicles are taxed correctly, DVLA is committed to keeping untaxed vehicles off our roads.

“We have a range of enforcement measures including fines and penalties and are working hard with our national wheel clamping partner to clamp untaxed vehicles.

“It is easy for drivers to pay their vehicle tax, including using our quick and accessible online services or spread the cost using Direct Debit.”

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The DVLA has the authority to clamp, impound or even destroy any vehicle that has not been taxed.

Vehicles can be clamped for having no taxation in a public road, even if it is declared as having a statutory off-road notification (Sorn), or not in a public road if it has not been declared Sorn.

If the vehicle has been moved, owners are advised to contact the police on 101 or call NSL to find out where it's been taken.

Owners can also pay a 'surety' deposit if they don't tax the vehicle before it gets released.

This can cost £160 for cars or motorcycles and up to £700 for other vehicles.