A court hearing is due to take place next month to decide what will happen to two Ford Excursion limousines which were seized from a West Wales company.

The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) are holding the vehicles following two separate incidents which are costing The Full Stretch, based in Camarthanshire, thousands of pounds in lost business – it is a situation which owner, Daniel Rosemeyer describes as ‘completely ludicrous’.

The company’s first vehicle was seized following an inspection which highlighted some faults, and on another occasion, an apparent VOSA trap meant his second vehicle was also seized, due to not meeting COIF regulations and carrying more than eight passengers.

The Full Stretch has been operating since 2003 and grew dramatically during the limo hire peak in 2008 to own six limousines including a GMC, Yukon, Chrysler and Hummer H3 – but now, Mr Rosemeyer says there is no licence available to suit his business as a whole.

His Chrysler 300C limousines were built by Royal Coach by Victor, and cannot be bought up to SVA standards, and on top of this, Mr Rosemeyer argues that if he COIF’d his 4×4 limos, he would not qualify for an Operators Licence anyway due to the other vehicles on his fleet.

Daniel Rosemeyer told thechauffeur.com; “The whole situation is totally unacceptable. When I registered my vehicles in 2005, the government was happy to take my import duty and VAT, but now I am left with a fleet of vehicles which cannot be brought up to their standards – two of which are sitting at the pound.”

He added; “I am completely happy to bring the Excursions to the standards required under the guidance of VOSA. I will get them through the COIF processes, but even then, I fear I will not be operating legally in their eyes, so it is a catch twenty two situation.”

If the Traffic Commissioner decides The Full Stretch should not receive the vehicles back then they could eventually head for the crusher. Mr Rosemeyer says he will continue to fight for them and take the issue as far as it can go for their return. The meeting is due to take place on 1st October 2010.