Motorbike body slams tax evasion estimates
Date: 28/01/2008 11:08:43
Motorbike insurance holders may be interested to read that recent figures highlighting the number of motorbike tax evaders in the UK have been challenged.
According to the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCIA), the methodology used to generate the figures is outdated and assumes that motorbike traffic patterns are the same as those of general traffic.
Last week, the Commons' public accounts committee stated that an estimated 40 per cent of bikers failed to pay excise duty for their vehicles during 2006-07.
Chief executive of the MCIA David Taylor commented that evading tax is deplorable and often means that the vehicle owner will have no MOT or motorbike insurance.
He added: "The rate at which motorcycle VED evasion is estimated to be rising is out of step and grossly out of scale with all other motorcycle activity indicators."
The MCIA suggested that no evidence has been found to support that repeated motorbike tax evaders will be proportionate to the mileage of the vehicle.