Request for information on Ex-Police vehicle

Summary

A request was made for the service history and repair records of a specific ex-police Ford Tourneo Connect vehicle. The Department of Infrastructure refused to disclose the information, citing exemptions related to the prejudice of commercial interests and fair competition in the vehicle disposal process.

Key Facts

• The request concerned vehicle registration MMN-420-F, a Ford Tourneo Connect.
• The Isle of Man Constabulary initially could not assist and referred the requester to the Department of Infrastructure.
• The Department of Infrastructure determined that disclosure would prejudice the effective conduct of public business.
• The authority argued that releasing service history could give bidders an unfair advantage and reduce returns on public assets.
• The public interest test concluded that factors favoring withholding information outweighed those favoring disclosure.

Data Disclosed

• 5034552
• 4997862
• MMN-420-F
• 2025-10-28
• 2025-11-24
• 21 November 2025
• section 35
• IM1 2RF
• (01624) 686785

Exemptions Cited

• Section 35 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (Prejudice to the effective conduct of public business)
• Commercial interests exemption

Original Request

To whom it may concern, I am seeking information of any work carried out on a vehicle recently disposed from the constabulary. The vehicle is as follows; Registration: MMN-420-F Make: FORD Model: TOURNEO CONNECT I am looking for the service history as well as when and what components of the vehicle were replaced or repaired throughout it's tenure with the Isle of Man Constabulary. I have reached out to IOM Constabulary under reference number 4997862 however they could not assist and suggested to reach out to DOI. Kind regards

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Department of Infrastructure Sea Terminal Building, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2RF

Contact: FOI Response Team Telephone: (01624) 686785 Email: dpo-doi@gov.im

Our ref: 5034552 21 November 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 28 October 2025, which states:

"To whom it may concern,

I am seeking information of any work carried out on a vehicle recently disposed from the constabulary.

The vehicle is as follows;

Registration: MMN-420-F

Make: FORD

Model: TOURNEO CONNECT

I am looking for the service history as well as when and what components of the vehicle were replaced or repaired throughout it's tenure with the Isle of Man Constabulary.

I have reached out to IOM Constabulary under reference number 4997862 however they could not assist and suggested to reach out to DOI.

Kind regards"

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the information is exempt under section 35 of the Act, as disclosure would be likely to otherwise prejudice the effective conduct of public business. Disclosure would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of the public authority by enabling unfair advantage in the bidding process, distorting market competition, and potentially reducing the authority's ability to secure best value. As section 35 is a qualified exemption, it is subject to a public interest test. The public interest must be something that is of serious concern and benefit to the public at large.

Factors in favour of disclosure • Transparency in Public Authority Decisions
Disclosure would support openness about how the authority manages, disposes of, or records information relating to its assets, including vehicles.

• Accountability for Public Funds
Providing access to information can demonstrate that decisions affecting public resources are fair, consistent, and properly documented.

• Public Confidence in Processes
Transparency may increase trust in the authority's disposal processes and how it maintains records relating to vehicles under its control.

Factors in favour of withholding • Prejudice to Fair Commercial Competition
Disclosure could enable individuals to request sensitive or contextual information about a vehicle before bidding, allowing a bidder to gain an unfair advantage. This could distort the competitive process and undermine fairness for all prospective buyers.

• Financial Risk to the Authority
If bidders obtain information that reduces their willingness to bid or lowers the perceived value of the vehicle, the authority may receive substantially lower returns. This directly harms the commercial interests of the authority and, by extension, the public purse.

• Prejudice to Third-Party Commercial Interests
Where the information relates to a vehicle owned, maintained, or previously used by a third party, disclosure could negatively affect their position, reputation, or value obtained from a sale.

• Undermining Future Disposal Processes
If potential buyers learn that FOI can be used as a tool to gather privileged information prior to purchase, this may encourage future strategic requests designed to manipulate market conditions, undermining the effectiveness of future tenders, auctions, and disposals.

• Detriment to Wider Public Interest
Securing best value for public assets is in the public interest. Anything that weakens the authority's ability to obtain fair market value has a negative impact on public funds and service delivery.

In taking these factors into account the Department of Infrastructure determined that the factors in favour of maintaining the exemption outweigh the factors in favour of disclosing the information.

Please quote the reference number 5034552 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.