The farce that calls itself Transport For London - ULEZ banding

jjayp

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I have a C230 2.5 Petrol Avantgarde SE Auto estate.
First registered 02/2006
Mercedes Benz have informed me its Euro 4 (IV) .
TFL's own website state that to be exempt from the ULEZ (ultra low emission zone) cars must be at least Euro 4
My C230 isn't exempt in the upcoming ULEZ charge in 2019 in the current congestion zone, and then the expanded ULEZ zone in 2021 (from the north circular to the south circular , basically the whole of inner London).
My MB reg doc figures are:
CO2: 233G/KM
CO: 0.282
HC: 0.058
NOx: 0.018

I also have a 2004 Jaguar XJ6 3.0 petrol which is exempt as per the TFL website
Its figures are:
CO2: 249G/KM
CO: 0.794
HC: 0.142
NOx: 0.046

I have asked TFL to clarify this but no one knows anything because they employ numptys who have a degree in bulls**t.
How on earth can a car that isn't Euro 4 and emits twice as much across the board be exempt and one that is Euro 4 and emits half as much have to pay?

I contacted the MB customer services who employ the same dullards, and they said they will give me my local MB dealers number as they could answer this (they couldn't, but their parts dept confirmed its Euro 4).

Any thoughts?
 

Westheath

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Nox emission ?

The whole things a mess imho
 
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alexanderfoti

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I completely agree. Same issue with the S65.

The website quite clearly states : Euro 4 for Petrol cars, vans, minibuses etc.

S65 AMG - Euro 4 - Website states its NOT ulez compliant and that I must pay the charge
C63 AMG - Euro 5 - Website states it IS ulez compliant and that do not have to pay

One of the values must be over the limit on their database, when in reality it cannot be, as it would not have been given euro 5 rating if it were.

This happening a lot, so unless they sort their act out fast (fat chance) you will have to follow this procedure:

If you believe this information is incorrect you can contact the vehicle manufacturer's homologation department.
They will need to provide you with a letter signed by a named individual from the homologation department which
contains the following information:
- Vehicle registration mark (VRM)
- Vehicle identification number (VIN)
- Euro standard the vehicle was manufactured to
- Fuel Type
- Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) value
and
- Particulate matter (PM) g/km value (if diesel)

or go to this link:

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/cc-contact-us-make-an-enquiry-wizard-37743
 
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keefysher

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Is there not an appeals commissioner that deals with this issue?

When the LEZ came in we had a camper van that wasn't compliant according to the TfL online process, which was to just input registration number, which brought it up as non compliant, but also gave a link to the appeals people.

With that particular vehicle, there were 30,000 imported from Japan as grey imports. for which the technical data hadn't been uploaded to the TfL database.

There were other vehicles where for wotever reason, data had not been uploaded.

A simple letter, not an email, to the appeals commissioner sorted it. Based in Crawley I recall.

When the camper van was sold, the paperwork went to the new owner to back up it was compliant.
 
OP
J

jjayp

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Dear All,
I spoke with MB Head office in Milton Keynes, and their homologation dept are sending me the requisite letter with all the details.
ie :
- Vehicle registration mark (VRM)
- Vehicle identification number (VIN)
- Euro standard the vehicle was manufactured to
- Fuel Type
- Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) value
and
- Particulate matter (PM) g/km value (if diesel)

The TFL website only has a contact us by filling in the boxes and uploading any further info page which is most unhelpful as you never get to actually know if anything is being done.
I shall of course keep you all informed as to the outcome.
 

400ixl

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There is an appeals webpage once you have checked your registration.

Make an enquiry
If you think your vehicle meets the emission standards for ULEZ*, you can make an enquiry and attach supporting evidence.

Follow the link below and select 'ULEZ' from the drop down menu. You should upload a copy of the vehicle's registration document if registered outside the United Kingdom.

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/cc-contact-us-make-an-enquiry-wizard-37743
 

geraldrobins

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Out of curiosity I searched for a car similar to the OP's on Autotrader and found a 2006 C230 estate with a 2.5 litre engine and entered the registration into the ULEZ checker and it said it was exempt from the ULEZ charge. The emissions for the car, late 2006, were 226 whereas the Op's is 233 and early 2006, so maybe a spec change in that year at some point.
 
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jjayp

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Out of curiosity I searched for a car similar to the OP's on Autotrader and found a 2006 C230 estate with a 2.5 litre engine and entered the registration into the ULEZ checker and it said it was exempt from the ULEZ charge. The emissions for the car, late 2006, were 226 whereas the Op's is 233 and early 2006, so maybe a spec change in that year at some point.
Interesting, but it doesn't explain why the jaguar which has a much higher CO2 g/km is exempt especially when all its other emissions are double. MB also said the car meets the ulez emissions criteria.
 

sl500amgsport

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Their database is not yet fit for purpose, I changed vehicles November last year and the private reg is still coming up on their checker as the old diesel which is non complaint. Put in my cars pre nov reg number and it finds it and is compliant.

Interestingly the congestion charge database has it correct and I understand their systems are going to be used.



Mercedes SL500 R231
 

Argus

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om613

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Private plates on 2 x 320cdi OM613 (2001 / 2002, so Euro 2) and both showed as compliant.
 
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jjayp

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Ok so I received an email from TFL this morning (dispelling my theory that it ended up in some data black hole).
I quote
'based on the information provided I can confirm that your vehicle is subject to the ULEZ and meets the emissions standards, the database will updated according before the scheme commences to reflect the correct details of your vehicle!
I have just spoken with TFL and they have informed me that as the vehicle is a petrol Euro 4 emission standard, it is not subject to the ULEZ.
MB have emailed me saying the letter confirming its Euro 4 is on the way, I will reply to TFL with this.
So basically to sum up, their database and computer system is pointless and not working properly, everyone who has a euro 4 or above needs to use the link https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/cc-contact-us-make-an-enquiry-wizard-37743 (that I derided) and submit their documents to get their vehicles details properly amended (and then reply to a contradictory email that you receive confirming this.)
I know this is not the end of the matter and will of course inform all once I get the definitive answer.
 

LostKiwi

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These are rarely if ever thought through properly.
Example.
When they first introduced emission based taxation in London my 1977 Forward Control Land Rover ambulance was permitted. It had a 3.5 Rover V8 and on a good run might get as high as 11mpg. No cats, EGR or anything resembling pollution controls.
My 1991 Defender fitted with a 2.5 litre 300TDi diesel (very similar to the black cab engine that was everywhere) was banned even though it had an EGR and catalytic converter and would regularly return 28mpg!
 

Yugguy

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ULEZ????

*Beavis and Butthead mode on
Hehe Hehehe Hehehehehehehe
 

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