Changing DVLA body type

[rcx132]

Sorry another problem! I've gone to insure the little SJ and the insurers are saying it's not a car, it's a van.

I've looked in the V5 and indeed the body type does say "4x4 light utility". I've got two more of these cars, scrap ones for spares, one is registered as "convertible" and the other as "estate". They are all the same, typical Suzuki jeeps with soft tops.

The one I'm trying to insure came without seats at the back (and no seat mounting points either) and the softtop canvas, which may be original, had no windows at the back. I think the lack of seats and windows at the back gave it the classification. I am fitting the soft top from one of the donor cars, better condition, and does have windows.

Spoke to DVLA. They said they cannot give advice but I can request a change in writing if I show photos. No problem, but would like thoughts if people think it could just be the lack of windows that caused this? Which would mean fitting the canvas with the windows would mean it could be re-classified.

PS Appreciate I've been getting A LOT of help off this forum, donation made of course. I've got a week off work so have been ploughing forward with projects.

 

[armalites]

The DVLA are generally pretty helpful as long as you've helped yourself and done your homework. If you send proper pictures showing what you have done and any supporting documentation then and cover letter you should be fine. Make you you have copies of everything and send it special delivery. If your paperwork answers every question they may have then you'll be fine.

They do get a bad rep and it can be down to the person who deals with a specific case but you are clearly a very meticulous person so you'll be fine.

 

[gaz_moose]

probably originally sold to a 'company' who blagged/used it as a commercial vehicle.

take some picture of it with the soft top removed and send them to the DVLA with the relevant form to get it reclassified.

some vehicles can be both eg,, those Mitsubishi warrior pickup trucks can be cars and vans on the log books.

sounds to me though that you need to find an insurance company with a brain.

 

[akdaka]

Just been through the process with the DVLA for my VW Transporter. It was a kombi so side windows and five seats in it, but had been registered as a panel van with 6 seats. Contacted them and sent photos and hey presto V5 is now correct, window van and correct number of seat fitted. I think dealers don't care when they register vehicles to get all the details correct.

I believe the insurance company like mine wont insure a commercial vehicle on a car policy. First came up against this about 7 or 8 years ago, when i tried to change insurer on my last van. The van is only used as a social, domestic and pleasure and not for commercial use. I also worked out cheaper.

 

[normspanners]

I think dealers don't care when they register vehicles to get all the details correct.

That is correct and very dangerous for your license now, because the speed vans (ARRIVE ALIVE----- BUT ANGRY, VANS) know what is on the v5 before you do or can blink, and even if you are actually in a car derived van, so should be at national car speed limits, if you v5 states VAN you will get a fine and there is NO comeback of ARWELL it IS a car derived van 'LOOK' ! no excuses------ your done.

 

[Kayos]

My Disco 2 is a van, Light Goods Vehicle on the V5, came without seats but a previous owner had them fitted and an engineers report done. It is registered as having 5 seats

Actually works out better for me, cheaper tax and insurance, plus my van no claims transferred over

I can get mine changed to dual purpose but don’t see the need

 

[pedrobedro]

We had a Nissan Vanette with rear windows and 5 seats (factory option) and had to go to 4 different insurers before I could get a reasonable quote. Co-op insured it SD&P in the same bracket as a Fiesta van, worked out dead cheap. If you put rear seats in with belts and a windowed top and send them pictures they should have no problems reclassifying it at DVSA.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

See which has the cheaper road tax first before you change the classification!

 

[rcx132]

Thanks! Do we reckon it is the lack of rear seats and the lack of windows at the rear that made it be registered as a utility vehicle? So when I try to get it reclassified, that's what I need to show has changed right?

I will talk to my insurance company and see if they will sort the insurance. I just went into the online "my account" then "add another vehicle" and it said I cant add a van.

 

[waldershelf]

I had a Land Rover Defender that was registered as a light utility which it was. hard top, no windows, front seats only. no alpine windows and plastic seats. The build sheet said it was a van. However every time I insured it the insurance company insisted it was a pick up.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

See which has the cheaper roaf tax first before you change the classification!

I suspect that may be where the OP's problem originated. Vans used to be cheaper to tax, which resulted in loads of folk buying them then cutting side windows & fitting rear seats after registration. I'm sure lots of us remember that being done to Mini vans?

 

[Wallace]

I suspect that may be where the OP's problem originated. Vans used to be cheaper to tax, which resulted in loads of folk buying them then cutting side windows & fitting rear seats after registration. I'm sure lots of us remember that being done to Mini vans?

I vaguely remember something about a time limit and Vat being payable if windows were fitted inside that period.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I vaguely remember something about a time limit and Vat being payable if windows were fitted inside that period.

You might be right, I had a Mini van [tasteful Willow Green ] but never took the tin opener to it. I did tune it a little, though.....

 

[KemppiFrog]

I vaguely remember something about a time limit and Vat being payable if windows were fitted inside that period.

Think you will find it was purchase tax, back then. I had a Minivan under those rules. Put seats in the back, but no Windows, due to the tax. Without the tax, a new one was £250....

SBF, me too. Would do 95 on the level. Bit of a prob with timing gear...'till I fitted the twin chain off an 'S'

 

[Ton-up]

Just been through the process with the DVLA for my VW Transporter. It was a kombi so side windows and five seats in it, but had been registered as a panel van with 6 seats. Contacted them and sent photos and hey presto V5 is now correct, window van and correct number of seat fitted. I think dealers don't care when they register vehicles to get all the details correct.

I believe the insurance company like mine wont insure a commercial vehicle on a car policy. First came up against this about 7 or 8 years ago, when i tried to change insurer on my last van. The van is only used as a social, domestic and pleasure and not for commercial use. I also worked out cheaper.

Did they change your M1/N1 status on the log book? otherwise you'll have to stick to commercial speed limits ??

 

[akdaka]

Did they change your M1/N1 status on the log book? otherwise you'll have to stick to commercial speed limits ??

No change in status on the log book. I am not worried as the VED is cheaper but just need to keep an eye on the speed limits for commercials. I read some where that all T5.1 vans, not the Caravelles were registered like this. It is like it being a class 7 for the MOT, that caught me out recently. Previous van went on a class 4 with the same load etc.

 

[Robotstar5]

I suspect that may be where the OP's problem originated. Vans used to be cheaper to tax, which resulted in loads of folk buying them then cutting side windows & fitting rear seats after registration. I'm sure lots of us remember that being done to Mini vans?

I did it to my LR 90

 

[carbon]

I have an ex AA van but as it’s 02 registered with 5 seats and side windows no rear windows it’s a car according to dvla, has M1 on V5. Vehicles that are one year older seem to be registered as vans even thought they have rear windows. May be a bit cynical but road tax on an 02 registered car is more than a van as it’s emission based

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I have an ex AA van but as it’s 02 registered with 5 seats and side windows no rear windows it’s a car according to dvla, has M1 on V5. Vehicles that are one year older seem to be registered as vans even thought they have rear windows. May be a bit cynical but road tax on an 02 registered car is more than a van as it’s emission based

I was going back to the 1970s......

 

[8ob]

I thought the change was too a " car derived van" . Thats what used to get written on the logbooks of vans with rear seat and window conversions.

Bob