THE falling number of new registered vehicles is due to the vehicle registration duty, says Peter Tabb, spokesman for the Jersey Motor Trades Federation.

During 2003 the number of new vehicles registered in Jersey fell by almost 20 per cent – from 10,429 down to 8,465.

Of the various categories of vehicle that go to make up the total, only those that qualify as ‘miscellaneous’ – diggers, fork-lift trucks, street sweepers, etc – maintained the same registrations in 2003 that had been achieved in 2002.Mr Tabb said: ‘It is tempting to blame VRD for the dramatic fall-off in registrations, and indeed other ills of the motor trade.

But clearly there was also a considerable downturn in the economy which caused many who would change their car as a matter of course not to do so but, without any doubt, slapping on a considerable price increase for no obvious benefit didn’t do any good.’So what did VRD do, apart from fall short of budgetary expectations because many Islanders decided that here was a taxing game they need not play?VRD certainly did earn some revenue for the States but there was a price to be paid.

That price was paid by the purchaser – you and me – with the man in the middle, the motor trader, watching his turnover fall to an unprecedented degree.’But things are not too bad for car buyers according to Mr Tabb: ‘As manufacturers vie furiously with each other for market share, there are some very good deals to be had and despite the imposition of VRD – which now amounts to a whopping £3,125 on a vehicle with a power unit of 3,500 cc or more – there has probably never been a better time to buy a new car.’