Motorbike SORN Impounded - rights?

[Guest]

I don’t ride my motorbike in winter. I leave it chained to a lamppost under a cover on the pavement. To save £35 in road tax over the winter I registered it as ‘Off The Road’.

Just before Xmas it was impounded. The pavement apparently counts as the road. I was away from the day it was impounded and am now informed that I can’t collect it as, if it is not collected within 7 days, the impounders (NSL, a DVLA contractor) have the right to dispose of it.

Costs so far:
- Lock cut off: £167.00
- Fine: £62.59
- Impound fee: £200.00
- Storage £578.00

Total: £1,007.50

This is the best outcome... Apparently by not collecting my £3,000 bike within 7 days they now have the right to dispose of it in any way they choose...even to crush it. I will find out on Monday if, by begging, I can persuade them to release my bike. I have no legal rights according to the contractor, NSL. I am at their mercy.

All to save £35. No intent to commit a crime, just a stupid error on my part!

Thoughts from anyone with a similar experience?

[des8]

I thought the owner had 14 days in which to reclaim their vehicle before NSL could dispose of it.
Trying to locate the relevant regulations

Found them: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2.../contents/made

Notice must state that Owner has 7 days from date of seizure to make a claim (sec 4 (4)(C) and that unless the vehicle is claimed on or before that date the authorised person intends to dispose of it; (5)(c)

But see regulation 7
(2) The authorised person may not dispose of the vehicle under this regulation—
(a)during the period of 14 days starting with the date on which the vehicle was seized;

[Jinxer]

https://www.cartaxenforcement.co.uk/
It looks like they are claiming far to much in fees.