I've just had a Navara pickup as my company vehicle and fitted a cover to
the back, which I was told would not affect the status of the vehicle in
terms of classification as a commercial vehicle as the vehicle could still
carry in excess of 1000kg.
Since doing this, someone has advised me that this might not be the case.

Can anyone advise.

"Ade" <bob@bob.com> wrote in news:tJ6dnbe3neO6j5zYRVnyqA@eclipse.net.uk:

> I've just had a Navara pickup as my company vehicle and fitted a cover
> to the back, which I was told would not affect the status of the
> vehicle in terms of classification as a commercial vehicle as the
> vehicle could still carry in excess of 1000kg.
> Since doing this, someone has advised me that this might not be the
> case.

AFAICT fitting a "truckman" type top or a permanent _rigid_ cover *might*
change the vehicle status. HMRC subtract 45kg (the deemed weight of the top
or cover) from the manufacturer's declared payload to arrive at the
effective payload. If the effective payload is under 1000kg, it's a car for
tax purposes! However, I do wonder about the case where you, personally,
buy and fit the cover.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/EIM23045.htm

However, things are changing anyway in April with a massive increase in the
taxable benefit in kind for vans (which would include your Navara). For tax
year 2007/08, this is £3,000 per annum regardless of the age of the van
unless private use is forbidden and no private use occurs. Additionally,
should the company pay for any fuel for private use, there will be an extra
taxable benefit of £500.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/EIM22790.htm

HTH,

--
Geoff

Thanks Geoff

That confirms my understanding. The payload of the Navara is 1070kg, so I
still have plenty in hand after subtracting the 45kg.

Even though the tax changes next year, it's still cheaper than the tax I was
paying on my Renault Scenic. Tax on £3K and the fuel still only amounts to
£770 p.a.

Thanks again

Ade


"Geoff Lane" <geoff@nospam.gjctech.co.uk> wrote in message
news:Xns98387F9905FFgjctcswxnsrt@84.92.1.10...
> "Ade" <bob@bob.com> wrote in news:tJ6dnbe3neO6j5zYRVnyqA@eclipse.net.uk:
>
>> I've just had a Navara pickup as my company vehicle and fitted a cover
>> to the back, which I was told would not affect the status of the
>> vehicle in terms of classification as a commercial vehicle as the
>> vehicle could still carry in excess of 1000kg.
>> Since doing this, someone has advised me that this might not be the
>> case.
>
> AFAICT fitting a "truckman" type top or a permanent _rigid_ cover *might*
> change the vehicle status. HMRC subtract 45kg (the deemed weight of the
> top
> or cover) from the manufacturer's declared payload to arrive at the
> effective payload. If the effective payload is under 1000kg, it's a car
> for
> tax purposes! However, I do wonder about the case where you, personally,
> buy and fit the cover.
>
> http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/EIM23045.htm
>
> However, things are changing anyway in April with a massive increase in
> the
> taxable benefit in kind for vans (which would include your Navara). For
> tax
> year 2007/08, this is £3,000 per annum regardless of the age of the van
> unless private use is forbidden and no private use occurs. Additionally,
> should the company pay for any fuel for private use, there will be an
> extra
> taxable benefit of £500.
>
> http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/EIM22790.htm
>
> HTH,
>
> --
> Geoff

Also worry about Class VII MoTs, if the GVW is between 3000kg and 3500kg.

Most 4x4's are classed as dual purpose and exempt from Class IIV mot's.

__________________
Radio CallSign M3XLZ

www.mig-welding.co.uk

slight thread hijack -is there any speed limits inforce on lgv's that differ to cars?

__________________
Seriously?You taking notice of this^?
A fool and his money can throw one hell of a party.
Or run a Landy-not both!

Depends on weight of LGV.

3500kg MGW to 7500kg MGW;

50mph single lane A roads
60mph Dual Carriageway
70mph Motorway


New regs mean that over 3500 kgs newer than 2000 X reg have to have a speed limiter set to 56mph (90kmh), this includes larger vans.

All the heavies 7500kg to 44000kg are limited to 56mph and speed limits are 10mph lower.

Dont forget also that if you tow with your light commercial vehicle and it is for business purposes and the combination exceeds 3500kgs, you should also have a tachograph fitted.

And that is an entirely different story altogether, I think you can find out more by looking up the VOSA website.

HTH

__________________

Or do a search on ere I've already put someone straight last week. Yer only need a tacho for a LGV if driving it is your main occupation or if your more than 50km from the vehicles normal place of work.

Din bother wiv a search just go here 300tdi towing

__________________
Radio CallSign M3XLZ

www.mig-welding.co.uk

What you say about the tacho is true, but alot depends if you are doing it for hire or reward or not or whether you are transporting goods for someone else.
If you were towing a trailer and it was solely for the purposes of enabling you to carry tools/materials for you to go about your business as say for example a landscape gardener then you should be tacho exempt.
It is a very, very grey area and from my experience in transport, alot depends on how the police, the ministry or a court interpret the wording of law on the day.

__________________