MAGNETIC TAX DISC HOLDERS - BEWARE!

[alzheimer]

If you have ever been tempted to use one of these neat magnetic Tax Disc Holders - be warned! I did - -and have just had to pay a Fixed Penalty of £60 because the dratted thing had slipped and allowed the tax disc to slide out and down below the level of the dashboard.......eeek
I of course hadn't noticed until the police did - and so I have just bought a nice old-fashioned STICK-ON disc holder.
SO the moral is - don't risk it and stay safely in pocket!!!!
I think it happened because I had my car valeted recently and EVERYTHING was treated with a silicone polish - including the mats/steering wheel / pedals and all windows.....eeek!
That's no excuse of course - but is the reason!!!

[Baldric]

How do you stick a 'magnetic' disc holder to a glass wind screen?

[alzheimer]

LOL...it actually consists of two layers.....the first one is an adhesive ring - with a row of little magnets round it on the back. The second layer is the holder which also has a row of magnets. Thus when lined up - the Tax Disc is firmly held in place......ONE HOPES!!!

[Gizmonster]

I used to have one of these magnetic holders and had exactly the same problem .... the damn thing kept falling apart, especially when the sun was shining on the windscreen. I've since resorted to using the good old fashioned ones :)

[sunny-dave]

I know that the offence is 'not displaying' rather than 'not taxed' - but given that they can check the status of a vehicle in seconds, I'm surprised that the police would issue a FP.

Or was it a Parking Attendant (aka 'hitlers in polyester') chasing a penalty target?

[alzheimer]

It was indeed the Police....and if they had looked down - they would have seen the dratted thing half-way "submerged" at the edge of the dash ....happily being a Discovery - it hadn't gone for good into the depths and even I could pull it back up, sunny-dave.
As everybody in this tiny town knows me and my car - to say I was p#####-off would be to understate my reaction.
Now then Gizmonster - I hadn't thought about the heat being a factor and we had some record breaking temps last weekend....so that indeed could have helped!
Either which way - I resent having to cough up £60 when I did not flout the law deliberately - and just wanted to warn any other user of these stupid magnetic things to watch out!!!!

[Everhelpful]

I'm not surprised by the actions of the Police.sunny-dave,in fact I wouldn't p!ss on them if they were on fire.

[Andyvon]

I've used a magnetic holder for several years now and had no trouble. I have to make sure it's in place when I clean the inside of the windscreen as it is easy to dislodge it though. I alwasy found the sticky ones to leave a sticky and hardened mess on the glass.

[alzheimer]

Hi Andyvon...... I have never had a problem with the sticky backed ones in my 50 years + of driving .... and certainly none of them have ever left a mess. Anyway I would rather have a sticky mess - than a fixed penalty of 60 quid to pay because the wretched magnets had slipped....LOL

[Andyvon]

Think I'll keep a closer eye on my one now A!

[Toureman]

I have never had any problem with mine!

By the way what is your question?

[alzheimer]

Well spotted Toureman! No Question.....just my humble way of trying to warn Jo Public about the possible risks of magnetic tax disc holders.
As I said in my initial statement ....The moral is - don't risk it and stay safely in pocket!

[johnny37]

Have you tried appealing. I think the authorties normally waive the charge if the charge is for not displaying (as opposed to not paying)

[boxtops]

We've got them - I only had a problem once, but all seems fine now.

[ubasses]

Never experienced any problems and ours is now in it's third car.

[alzheimer]

Hi johnny37 ...I was so upset I just paid up on line. I didn't think about appealing but may well now that you have brought up the idea!

Those of you that have had no problems probably hadn't had silicone polish applied to your windscreen - inside and out.....LOL

Anyway - thanks for all your support and comments, everybody!

[Dee Sa]

commiserations alzheimer, no one likes to pay a fine

[douglas9401]

Sadly johnny37, you think wrong. I speak from bitter experience.

[TheWinner]

I had one once, NEVER AGAIN!
Like alzheimer says, they can slip, and your tax disc or parking pass will be blowing about in the wind somewhere..........

[alzheimer]

Sadly folks - our Aberdonian Police are not as kind perhaps as some!!
A chum who had exactly the same thing happen to her appealed and was refused - despite the actual Tax Disc being "visible" but not in the holder.
Not much one can do - but moan! Oh and warn others not to fall into the same trap....I have just stuck my nice new STICKY disc holder on today.....LOL
Thanks again everybody - I DO appreciate all your suggs and support...:>>))

[TheWinner]

Thank you for posting this alzheimer, I thought I was the only one to think they are ABSOLUTELY ......R U B B I S H.