8 Aug 2011

Vehicle seizures questioned by writer

9:09 am on 8 August 2011

A motoring writer questions whether it is worth the Government's time to seize and sell cars to recoup fines.

Since the start of 2009, 6679 vehicles have been seized and 2052 sold.

At the end of June, unpaid court fines totalled $666.5 million.

Given that tally, Dog & Lemon car buyers' guide editor Clive Matthew-Wilson says he is surprised more cars were not impounded.

He says seizing and selling cars also wastes a staggering amount of law enforcement time.

The Ministry of Justice impounded 440 vehicles in May 2010, the biggest montly total since 2009.

Some 2348 cars were seized two years ago, 3454 last year and 877 so far this year.