For some of our car breakdown cover customers, 'tax disc' has become something of a dirty term in recent weeks.

First of all, second hand car sellers discovered that they are not able to pass on any remaining road tax to a buyer and by extension, buyers cannot receive any tax left on a car. They must also buy their own tax straight away.

But 'straight away' has not been a term frequently used in connection with the DVLA's online electronic tax disc system. Thousands of motorists said they were unable to use the system after it was launched - a failure that was thought to be an overload of users.

There could be a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, however, since the old paper tax discs are becoming collectable items.

Online marketplace eBay currently has hundreds of tax discs listed for sale - either as an auction or a 'buy it now' item.

As with stamps, books, coins and many other collectables, the condition of any tax disc being sold is of paramount importance.

A good quality tax disc appears to be selling for between £30-£50, with unperforated examples likely to achieve an even better price.

The record price for a tax disc is £810 - but this was for a disc that expired in December 1921, the first year tax discs were issued.

With thousands of paper discs still fixed in people's cars, examples of more recent tax discs could flood the market soon.

So if you want to capitalise on the current tax disc obsession - known as velology - then you might consider getting on eBay pretty quick!