Petrol Prices

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by Phil A, Aug 9, 2013.

  1. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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    I agree :blue thumb:



    I also payed £475! The rules are stupid because they said that the higher rates were because of the higher emissions.

    My previous car was the identical model to this one but because it was over 10 years old its tax is only £170. Same model but as it's older it's less efficient and has higher emissions.
     
  2. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    Sadly the idea is deeply flawed, and at best may only achieve the closure of some forecourts (and there are few enough of those as it is nowadays); no matter where you buy your fuel, all the fuel in your area will come from the same refinery/distribution centre, and a number of these are almost certainly owned by the likes of BP or Shell - in other words, they might not take your cash directly, but they will still get it off the middle man.

    I don't really blame the fuel companies for the cost of fuel - I blame the government taxing it at an applied rate of approx 80%; I understand that money has to be raised somewhere to run the country, but to apply it at such a grossly unfair level is just plain wrong. Don't forget, that every time the oil companies increase the cost per litre, the amount of revenue the government gets also increases - therefore, they are not likely to intervene and prevent price rises, are they?
     
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    • Jiffy

      Jiffy The Match is on Fire

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      Is the mot emissions set at a level so your car passes or failels :scratch::scratch::scratch::scratch::scratch::scratch:
       
    • shiney

      shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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      It doesn't relate to MOT emissions. Each charge is based on arbitrary levels set by the government and relies on the car manufaturers official emission figure for each model (some are tested at random).

      The older, less efficient, cars don't come into the charging bands once they get past a certain age!
       
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      • Fat Controller

        Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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        Cars registered before 1 March 2001 have their VED calculated on engine size; cars registered after 1 March 2001 have theirs calculated on the tailpipe emissions (CO2 only) as specified by the manufacturer during type approval.

        Somewhat ironically, this does not take into account any modifications to the vehicle (such as ECU remaps etc) which can alter the tailpipe emissions;

        The MOT measures the level of CO2, but more importantly is looking at Hydrocarbons (HC, soot) in parts per million (PPM), and Nitrogen oxide (NOX) - there are pass or fail levels set for each of these, with the most common failure being on HC levels, which are a good indicator of how healthy an engine is; an unhappy engine will not burn cleanly and efficiently.
         
      • "M"

        "M" Total Gardener

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        I only pay £30 a year road tax

        Ok, so my car may not be as big as your car (am I bothered?)
        Ok, so my car may not go as fast as your car (am I bothered?
        Ok, so my car doesn't double as anything other than what it is designed for: getting me from A to B (am I bothered?)

        I love my little car because:

        a) It gets me to where I want to be
        b) It gets me there as economically as possible
        c) It is not an extension of my ego/income/aspirations
        d) It's a c.a.r!
        e) I have something my Grandparents would never have thought possible in their world ;)
         
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        • pete

          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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          If we all went out and bought exactly the same car as you "M", your road tax would rise dramatically.
           
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          • ARMANDII

            ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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            Exactly, a car is just a tool, but the Government see's it as a Cash Cow.:dunno::snork:
             
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            • Fat Controller

              Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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              Apparently, Nissan agree with them :snork:
               
            • "M"

              "M" Total Gardener

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              Not my car they don't ;)

              Your statement should (perhaps) read: The Government see - certain types of car - as Cash Cow's ;)
               
            • Fat Controller

              Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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              I must admit, that I am chuffed with my new on - £125 a year to tax for such a big car is great. That coupled with some of the insurance quotes I am getting this year means that my tax & insurance is roughly £1 a day.
               
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              • pete

                pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                Ah so you get cheaper petrol/diesel as well.;)
                 
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                • "M"

                  "M" Total Gardener

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                  Of course not! :heehee: But, running a car is not only about the petrol/diesel, it's about overall running cost (well, it is on my spreadsheet :redface: )

                  I'm merely responding to those who introduced the aspect of high/er road tax costs (as you know, Pete, :heehee: )
                   
                • pete

                  pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                  But you are still a cash cow for the government if you are buying fuel.
                  The tax element is a side line.
                   
                • "M"

                  "M" Total Gardener

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                  Maybe! But, maybe not: why would everyone on the planet want to drive the same as me? :dunno:

                  As I stated, for *some* drivers, income would be a pertinent point, 'ego' also comes into it, as do dreams/aspirations. We're all different. I'm merely saying that from *my* point of view, I wish to drive a car that is cost efficient within my budget, gets me from A2B. That is my motivation. Some would merely tweak those conditions; others exceed those conditions.

                  Fundamentally: aren't we lucky that we live in a world where we can tweak/adapt those conditions according to our needs/wants/income/aspirations? I shudder to think of a world where we would all be driving the same car I do (or are made to!) :heehee:
                   
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