If the car is ordered and paid for in advance of the VAT increase you pay the old rate I believe. In theory at least the car could be paid for in December and registered in January. Its the exchange of payment rather than goods which matters. It may be difficult to convince SUK and the dealer though....VAT rate changes don't happen every week!

I was wondering about that, but I have a feeling that they might not let you do that at least until they have a chassis number for it. If there was a spec change and a model price increase while you were waiting they would probably want you to stump up for it. Still worth a try if you (the OP) are committed to buying the car in question.

Edited 6 October, 201015 yr by Lady Elanore

I was wondering about that, but I have a feeling that they might not let you do that at least until they have a chassis number for it. If there was a spec change and a model price increase while you were waiting they would probably want you to stump up for it. Still worth a try if you (the OP) are committed to buying the car in question.

Good points, and an interesting view.

BUT. My contract with Skoda is based on the agreement signed 26 June. It became live once I paid over my deposit because a contract is complete when there are 3 ingredients:

1. An offer - they offered me a car at a set price

2. An acceptance of the offer - I accepted the offer

3. A consideration (£) - I paid over a deposit

Skoda cannot unilaterally change the terms of the contract (ie: change the price). Just for example consider that Skoda are unable to deliver until January or February 2011. They cannot change the terms of the contract. I still pay the agreed price. If they could change the terms we would all have to wait for delivery of cars and there and then agree a price if we still wanted the car. No business could function in such a manner. That is why we have contracts.

This is fun

I was not given a build week or ref number at the time of ordering. My order form shows TBA for estimated delivery. I was verbally advised end Sept/start Oct.

Yesterday I was shown my car on the system. Build week 46 is provisional and can be subject to change. No one can tell me, with certainty, when my car will arrive.

I have no idea what is going on at the dealers but this is similar to what happened to me.

The dealer behaviour is absolutely consistent with somebody who knows of the delays but knows that it would cost them the sale. Put down "TBA", get the deal then break the bad news later. There's no real doubt in my mind that my dealer did this. You can only guess whether yours did.

My problem with all of this is not the delay so much as Skoda UK's arrogance and lak of customer care.

Yep. I have contacted Skoda UK on a couple of occasions. There are no polite words to describe their treatment of me. Arrogant and brusque.

1. An offer - they offered me a car at a set price

I'm not a lawyer....but I bet the contract says something like "+ vat at the prevailing rate". They won't have changed the price - the government will.

But....I bet they wouldn't hold you to a vat increase. It would be a PR disaster. They could absorb £500 on a 20K sale. Or get their accountants to do something creative.

Plus as somebody has said in another thread - I bet the dealer won't fight too hard if you cancel the order. They know they can resell the slot. There are plenty of people waiting who may be prepared to take a slightly different spec to get their new car 3 months "early". Would't surprise me if we start to see a "premium" delivery service soon - pay a little extra to get your car before the next millennium,

Good points, and an interesting view.

BUT. My contract with Skoda is based on the agreement signed 26 June. It became live once I paid over my deposit because a contract is complete when there are 3 ingredients:

1. An offer - they offered me a car at a set price

2. An acceptance of the offer - I accepted the offer

3. A consideration (£) - I paid over a deposit

Skoda cannot unilaterally change the terms of the contract (ie: change the price). Just for example consider that Skoda are unable to deliver until January or February 2011. They cannot change the terms of the contract. I still pay the agreed price. If they could change the terms we would all have to wait for delivery of cars and there and then agree a price if we still wanted the car. No business could function in such a manner. That is why we have contracts.

This is fun

But your contract is not with Skoda. It is with a third party - the dealer.

Legal rights/responsibilities arising from late delivery have been discussed on this forum many times. I will give you a heads up - unless you have specified that "delivery is of the essence" or a specific date has been stated in writing in the contract then you probably don't have a prayer. Unfortunately legal precedent is such that the dealer cannot be held liable for late delivery as it is "out of his control" (ie it is due to Skoda messing around).

On the price increase issue Skoda are not raising the price. The Coalition are responsible due to a chage in taxation rates.

Forget about that may have been said verbally. Take my word for it you will not prove that in court without VERY compelling evidence.

You must go back to the contract you signed with the dealer and read it carefully. What does it say about tax increases (or price rises generally)? Normally these are your responsibility to pay in a formal contract unless specifically agreed to the contrary (in writing).

I'm sorry to sound negative but I'm getting frustrated about so called legal experts (and this includes the CAB who are often retired solictiors who have never negotiated a procurement contract in their life and just cite the Sale of Goods Act clauses which they faintly remember from their legal training days) and who advise on what is not as straightforward issue as you might imagine. What I'm saying is be careful - you may end up getting stiffed by the dealer if you cancel and lose your deposit unless you are 100% sure of the position.

You don't seem to be getting direct answers to your original question. If you are using finance to pay for the outstanding balance YOU can cancell the order when YOU want, no questions, no quibbles. If it's a cash purchase you're stuffed!

The car is a fantastic machine don't get me wrong BUT if YOU are not happy then pull the plug

But your contract is not with Skoda. It is with a third party - the dealer.

Legal rights/responsibilities arising from late delivery have been discussed on this forum many times. I will give you a heads up - unless you have specified that "delivery is of the essence" or a specific date has been stated in writing in the contract then you probably don't have a prayer. Unfortunately legal precedent is such that the dealer cannot be held liable for late delivery as it is "out of his control" (ie it is due to Skoda messing around).

On the price increase issue Skoda are not raising the price. The Coalition are responsible due to a chage in taxation rates.

Forget about that may have been said verbally. Take my word for it you will not prove that in court without VERY compelling evidence.

You must go back to the contract you signed with the dealer and read it carefully. What does it say about tax increases (or price rises generally)? Normally these are your responsibility to pay in a formal contract unless specifically agreed to the contrary (in writing).

I'm sorry to sound negative but I'm getting frustrated about so called legal experts (and this includes the CAB who are often retired solictiors who have never negotiated a procurement contract in their life and just cite the Sale of Goods Act clauses which they faintly remember from their legal training days) and who advise on what is not as straightforward issue as you might imagine. What I'm saying is be careful - you may end up getting stiffed by the dealer if you cancel and lose your deposit unless you are 100% sure of the position.

Thanks for your input.

This is all intriguing. Skoda are not offering free VAT. They have to pay VAT whether they like it or not. What they have done is to market the car with a price reduction that equates to the VAT. Hence the coalition have not increased the price of the car. It is a Skoda price increase.

When I study the contract it states that if the manufacturer increases the price of the goods, then they have to give you notification of the increase. The consumer has then a right to cancel within 14 days.

However, I note your comments. I don't intend to get stuffed by the dealer if I can help it. I would actually just prefer the car to be delivered to me when I want it and at the agreed price. On a positive note, my dealer is raising my case next week in person.

Edited 6 October, 201015 yr by kevberlin

If the car is delayed past 31st December you have already been notified of a price increase more than 14 days ago.

Skoda clearly state the 'Vat free' discount only applies to cars registered before 31st December.

If the car is delayed past 31st December you have already been notified of a price increase more than 14 days ago.

Skoda clearly state the 'Vat free' discount only applies to cars registered before 31st December.

Slap me across the face with a wet kipper....I think you are right.

Edited 6 October, 201015 yr by kevberlin

Slap me across the face with a wet kipper....I think you are right.

But you can register the car as soon as you get the chassis number and if your build date is roughly correct, it won’t be a problem

But you can register the car as soon as you get the chassis number and if your build date is roughly correct, it won’t be a problem

I love positive people and you have the same name as my mother.

Thanks

might be worth looking at this post re the price increase. not sure if its still relevant as a new deal may be in place now. My mate ordered a VRS the other week and was told by the dealer that if he ordered before 30th sept then he would get the VAT free price, even if it was delivered after jan 1st

My link

a 'confirmed build week' can only b given 2 weeks prior to the actual build. until then, its provisional/estimated.

been reading alot on this forum recently, and i've clearly noticed a clear trend of delays for diesel models!!! looks like every tom, **** & harry are ordering diesels like hotcakes, and skoda can't keep up with the demand!!

not just skoda - vw the parent, and audi, have a huge number of diesel orders. who do u think is going to get priorty to those diesel engines!?!?! no points for guessing that vw & audi get 1st dibbs, over skoda. in the end, skoda is left with not enough diesel engines to fullfill their own orders, and r forced to delays builds by a ridiculous number of weeks!!

tis sad, but its the harsh world of survival of the fittest in the manufacturing world.

i ordered my petrol dsg on jun 15 (wk 24), it was built sep 3 (wk 35), and is now on a ship enroute to oz.

But you can register the car as soon as you get the chassis number and if your build date is roughly correct, it won’t be a problem

I had that thought myself & I asked my dealer about doing this for my plate I was told that they cannot do this, they can only do this once the order is confirmed as delivered to the UK.

Reasons being, if the car gets stolen on route, or god forbid, the ship sinks, then it causes all sorts of problems.

Shame really as my car is deposit for new 1 , i dont want to pay £110 to swap plates, when i will only be paying dealer £80 to transfer it & new plate my px car.

I had that thought myself & I asked my dealer about doing this for my plate I was told that they cannot do this, they can only do this once the order is confirmed as delivered to the UK.

Reasons being, if the car gets stolen on route, or god forbid, the ship sinks, then it causes all sorts of problems.

Shame really as my car is deposit for new 1 , i dont want to pay £110 to swap plates, when i will only be paying dealer £80 to transfer it & new plate my px car.

They probably won't have a chassis number until the build is confirmed though. The dealers I worked for wanted the business sufficiently they would register on a chassis number. Perhaps the OP needs to let the dealer know it is a necessary action. You can de-register a car if needs be, but it isn’t done very often as it upset those nice people at the DVLA. We de-reg'd twice in 6 months at my last dealers, but had good reason. I reckon a ship sinking would constitute a reasonable ground for it

Edited 7 October, 201015 yr by Lady Elanore

Ordered a new L&K on 4th October and got the VAT-free deal and delivery given as January. The offer has been extended into 2011 and it will be VAT-free even though registration will be in the new year. Order accepted by Skoda and confirmed by email today and all prices have been fixed as per the order.

Mac

Ordered a new L&K on 4th October and got the VAT-free deal and delivery given as January. The offer has been extended into 2011 and it will be VAT-free even though registration will be in the new year. Order accepted by Skoda and confirmed by email today and all prices have been fixed as per the order.

Mac

I'm sure I saw an Skoda advert in the papers this morning extending the "VAT free" offer (at the effective rate) for all cars ordered up til 31st Dec. That will reduce uncertainty for a lot of people!

I'm sure I saw an Skoda advert in the papers this morning extending the "VAT free" offer (at the effective rate) for all cars ordered up til 31st Dec. That will reduce uncertainty for a lot of people!

This is from the Skoda website: It confirms you just have to order your car, not have it registered, by 31 December 2010.

Pay no VAT* on these models

With the impending VAT increase to 20% on the 1st January 2011, now is the time to buy. If you order your car before 2011 we'll pay the VAT on Fabia (excluding vRS), Roomster and Octavia models.

Good spot by Mison. This looks like a new addition to the website. Hopefully added by Skoda to try and remove the uncertainty that customers like us have been grappling with. Perhaps Skoda UK have just realised how cheesed off some of us are with their lack of customer care around the issue of delayed delivery.

Good spot by Mison. This looks like a new addition to the website. Hopefully added by Skoda to try and remove the uncertainty that customers like us have been grappling with. Perhaps Skoda UK have just realised how cheesed off some of us are with their lack of customer care around the issue of delayed delivery.

Also dont forget that SEAT are now doing 0% VAT , i think they are tring to raise the profile of SEAT or offloading them completely.